When Jordan’s parents send him to private school far away from his old neighbourhood, he must navigate being the new kid, as well as one of the only non-white kids in school. Can he learn to fit in while staying true to himself?
Read more about "New Kid"Whether you want to help your children or students better understand the truth about residential schools, or you want to learn more yourself, these works by Indigenous authors are essential reading for all Canadians.
Read more about "Orange Shirt Day 2020"Did you know brain cells build brains as a team? Or that when cells grow differently brains behave differently? Join us to learn all about how brains grow and change!
Read more about "Ask a Scientist About the Brain! (Ages 8 - 12)"Have you ever seen colours dance across the sky? Auroras, like the Northern Lights, are beautiful, but can disrupt and damage power grids. Join us to learn about more about...
Read more about "Ask a Scientist About Auroras and Space Weather!"Learn about these limited-edition cards which feature family photographs of Tsuut’ina artist Glenna Cardinal who was previously denied a Library card before they were made freely accessible to Indigenous communities across Alberta.
Read more about "A Library card for everyone"'\n ', 'Assess your interests and skills, then explore your education options. Learn job search strategies using employment guides, including resume and interview help.', '\n '
Read more about "'Interactive education and career planning tools.'"International Women's Day is Monday, March 8. It's a day dedicated to celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, and consider what more needs to be done to achieve gender parity.Calgary Public Library staff pulled together some of our favourite books and movies featuring strong female characters and stories to get you started. Read and watch them this International Women's Day and any day you are interested in stories of perseverance, creativity, and celebration.Biographies and Autobiographies of Incredible WomenThese ten books center around a compelling woman who overcame obstacles and influenced history. Read about a contemporary businesswoman, a Second World War radio operator, a resistance fighter, and a tennis coach. Their stories will take you around the world and through history.See the listBooks by Indigenous WomenFemale Indigenous writers provide stories that echo the timeless wisdom of Elders while encapsulating the modern challenges experienced by women and girls. Celebrate the spirit and intent of International Women's Day by learning more about Indigenous women with these compelling, heartbreaking, and hopeful reads.See the list20 Films About Extraordinary WomenSome of these movies are full of joy, while others are more dramatic. They are all by or about women. From the award-winning documentary Young Lakota to the lush biopic Paula, these films are all available on Kanopy.See the listBooks for KidsThese books for kids celebrate the strength and creativity of women and girls. From the picture book Franny’s Father is a Feminist by Rhonda Leet, to the collection of 100 stories in Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli, this list includes recommendations for kids from three to 12 that will also delight the adult reading with them.See the list
Read more about "Stories What to Read and Watch to Honour International Women's Day Our recommendations to celebrate women this Monday, March 8 and everyday"It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Bill Ptacek passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 15.Bill was a visionary who came to Calgary to bring the new Central Library to life but left his mark in ways we are still counting. He played a pivotal role in re-imagining how Calgarians connect and use libraries and he will be deeply missed.We will remember Bill for the incredible energy and vigor he brought into libraries by creating spaces that are lively, spark discussion, and are welcoming community hubs. But mostly, we will miss his infectious personality and his ability to inspire greatness in all of us.In the coming days and weeks we will determine how to best celebrate Bill’s legacy at the Calgary Public Library and his impact on our community.Our thoughts are with Bill’s family and friends.BiographyBill Ptacek joined the Calgary Public Library as its CEO in early 2014. Previously, Bill was the Director of the King County Library System in western Washington State, where he led King County to become the Library Journal's "Library of the Year" in 2011.During his time at Calgary Public Library he worked hard on developing relationships for the Library with government and community groups, and partnerships with the school boards. He also led multiple new initiatives, including a full rebranding, a new catalogue and website, a focus on safety at the Central Library, free library cards for all, the growth of the Library’s Foundation, and a refresh in the design and collections at all libraries in the system.He was passionate about early literacy initiatives, including building 12 early learning centres across Calgary and actively grew the reach of the Library through two new locations and the opening of the new Central Library on November 1, 2018.Recently, the City of Calgary named Bill as its 2018 Citizen of the Year and the Urban Libraries Council presented him with the 2019 ULC Executive Board Award.
Read more about "Stories Remembering Bill Ptacek"Visitors are greeted by a collaborative wall mural, which focuses on the past, present, and future of the traditional pride within the tribes of Treaty 7. Indigenous people can see their culture reflected, and visitors can learn about the original inhabitants of the land that is now Calgary.
Read more about "Indigenous Placemaking in Central Library creates a welcoming environment."Get help with school projects and satisfy your curiosity. Use the search bar to find encyclopedia articles, maps, images, videos, and websites to learn about the topic you're researching. The Research & Resources tab has newspapers from around the world.
Read more about "World Book Online"Customize your own language course, or choose one of the guided language courses for travelers, or beginners through advanced learners. Pronunciator features lessons, pronunciation analysis, live tutor opportunities, quizzes, and more. You can also work on ESL courses or learn a new language using your first language.
Read more about "Over 100 languages to choose from"Help elementary students discover that there is more to computers than just playing games. Teen volunteers work one-on-one with younger students to help them work through lessons on coding and other essential computer skills. Students learn basic coding skills, along with important topics like Internet safety and evaluating information.
Read more about "What will you do?"'\n ', 'The Business Plans Handbook in Gale eBooks includes hundreds of business plans compiled by, and aimed at, entrepreneurs seeking funding for small business. Use these examples to learn how to approach, structure and compose business plans for your own business ventures.', '\n '
Read more about "'Real Business Plans by and for Entrepreneurs '"When Calgary mom Mirna Khaled’s young daughter Julia felt she could not relate to picture books because none of the characters were in a wheelchair like her, Mirna helped write Julia her own book.Julia is an eight-year-old who has cerebral palsy. Her mother Mirna wanted people to "see her, not the wheelchair," so she and Julia’s aunt, Rawan Khaled, wrote and illustrated a book about Julia and her cousin Annabella, called Julia and Bella.The story is about Julia getting bullied at school and her headband being stolen. Annabella helps Julia feel better, including buying her a new headband.Mirna hopes the story will educate other kids about why Julia is in a wheelchair, and teach them that a wheelchair is "not something to be ashamed of.""I wanted her to see someone like her," Mirna said.Julia and Bella is on the shelves at libraries throughout Calgary, including Forest Lawn Library, where the Khaled family frequently visits. Julia personally put copies on the shelves at Forest Lawn Library last fall."I couldn’t believe it," Mirna said when she learned that Julia’s book would be on Library shelves.Mirna, Julia, and Jalal, Julia’s twin brother, moved to Calgary in June 2015 from Lebanon. Mirna, a single mother, wanted a better education and more opportunities for her children.In Lebanon, Julia was not allowed to go to school because the school didn’t have the resources to support her, even though Mirna was an assistant principal. Mirna said people in Lebanon would look at Julia with pity, but in Canada they smile at her and encourage her.The mother and daughter have a close bond, and Jalal loves to help his mother take care of Julia. "My brother is strong, nice, and he helps," Julia said.Julia’s personality changed drastically after the family moved to Canada. Before moving to Canada, Julia was non-verbal. Mirna said she will never forget the day that Julia started speaking to strangers and having a conversation with them.Now Julia initiates conversation with people and always has a smile on her face. She can string together full sentences, in both Arabic and English, and she loves to read books. "Education is her weapon to face the problems in life," Mirna said.The Forest Lawn Library was a big part of Julia’s advancement in reading and learning, Mirna said. Since they moved to Calgary, Julia and her family regularly visit the Library."[The Library] is a safe place to educate and play with your kids," Mirna said. "The Library is the perfect place to meet your neighbours and friends. It’s easy to come here, it’s accessible."Moving to Canada, Mirna had a dream to raise awareness about cerebral palsy. She wants people to know that Julia "can do everything that you do but in her own special way."Mirna created a Facebook page to get the word out about Julia. She is now selling the book, Julia and Bella, and handmade headbands at markets around the city to raise money for a future surgery to enable Julia to walk.Mirna has always had faith in Julia advancing. "I know that she is a smart girl," she said. "I know she can do it. I know she can learn."We want to know how the Library has made a difference in your life. Submit your own Library Story online.
Read more about "Stories ‘The Perfect Place to Meet Your Neighbours’ Julia Khaled is breaking down barriers with her Library Story"Indigenous Placemaking in Central Library creates a welcoming environment where Indigenous people can see their culture reflected, and visitors can learn about the original inhabitants of the land that is now Calgary. Find furniture by Glenna Cardinal and a photo and text-based piece by Brittney Bear Hat in the Elders’ Guidance Circle.
Read more about "See Indigenous Placemaking in the Elders' Guidance Circle"