In a time when we’re being called to stay home, there are still plenty of ways to spend time together. In addition to your favourite online Library resources, patrons of all ages can find fun, at-home learning opportunities from educators and organizations offering innovative solutions for staying connected. Science Get a Daily Dose of the Calgary Zoo on their YouTube channel, where they share short, behind-the-scenes videos with their critters. Explore the surface of Mars from the eyes of NASA’s Curiosity rover, or check out their Image of the Day gallery for a high-definition intergalactic image, with fun facts about what you’re seeing. Kids can also tune in for science-themed stories read by astronauts on the International Space Station with Storytime from Space. Art You might know acclaimed children’s author Mo Willems for his books like Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and Elephant and Piggy (and this beloved illustrator also designed the Library’s Story Truck). Now you can learn to draw at home with his Lunch Doodles series. Interested in classic artworks? Follow along with #GlenbowFromHome, which includes online gallery tours and other free at-home activities from the Glenbow Museum. Music Freegal is our favourite way to stream contemporary tunes, but if you’re craving a live concert, look no further than the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. They have countless hours of concert footage saved to their YouTube channel, ready for you to have a night out at home. Tours You might not be able to leave your house, but you can still go on an at-home adventure with these online tours. Check out these 12 museums you can visit online to experience their exhibits from your couch. Feel like going for a hike? Visit Yellowstone National Park, make the trek along the Great Wall of China, or browse the botanical gardens of the Cincinnati Zoo. Relaxing Want to kick back and chill out during this time at home? Take some time to unwind and listen to Canadian authors share readings of their work. Create some quality time with your family with cooking lessons with Food Network Kitchen chef Michael Symon — or if your board game cupboard is a little empty, play games together online. Looking for more fun to be had at home? Check out the Digital Library for more free resources.
Read more about "Stories"MEDIA RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJune 13, 2018Calgary, AB — The Library is the place to be this summer. Calgary Public Library invites kids, families, and teens to join the Ultimate Summer Challenge, involving more than 500 free programs at 20 libraries.Visit a Library this summer and you might be surprised at what you find: concerts, wandering magicians, exploding science experiments, dance classes, drumming circles, splatter painting, bunny obstacle courses, family yoga, tiny book making, puppy rooms, gardening, and much more. Calgary Public Library is partnering with nearly 40 local artists and community organizations to deliver free workshops, performances, demonstrations, and large-scale installations from now until September 7.The Ultimate Summer Challenge provides fun and educational experiences for everybody. The Library knows not all families can afford camps or lessons while school is out, so all 500+ programs are free. In addition to attending programs at libraries, kids and families can track their reading on Challenge Maps, while teens can complete online challenges. Everybody who registers for Ultimate Summer Challenge is entered to win awesome prizes, including iPads, Library Boss for a Day, and Chromebooks.“This year’s edition of our annual summer learning program is unlike anything we’ve done before,” said Kate Schutz, Service Design Lead, Calgary Public Library. “We’re offering free science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, and math programs. Kids are sure to be surprised, delighted — and learn something new — when they visit the Library this summer.”The Ultimate Summer Challenge is part of the TD Summer Reading Club, which is a national program for kids held by Canadian public libraries. Visit calgarylibrary.ca/summer for a full list of community partners, upcoming programs (including dates and descriptions), and registration details.Calgary Public LibraryCalgary Public Library, with 630,000+ members and 20 locations, has been inspiring the life stories of Calgarians for more than 100 years. It is currently the second largest library system in Canada and the sixth largest municipal library system in North America, with Calgarians borrowing more than 14.6 million physical and digital items and with 6.8 million in-person visits last year. The awe-inspiring 240,000 sq. ft. Central Library — the newest gathering place for our city — opens November 1, 2018.- 30 -Media Contact:Mary KapustaDirector, CommunicationsCalgary Public Library403.774.7256Mary.kapusta@calgarylibrary.ca
Read more about "Stories"Learn about reading levels and tips for picking out books with our staff.
Read more about "How to Choose the Right Book for Your Child"From storybooks and graphics to novels and non-fiction, learn more about the Métis people.
Read more about "Métis Week "Learn phrases in Treaty 7 Indigenous languages with these brief videos.
Read more about "Treaty 7 Language Lessons"Stories come to life with animated pictures that help young children learn to read.
Read more about "Bookflix"Learn about Chinese music and culture with Calgary flutist Jiajia Li.
Read more about "Instrumental Stories with CBC"The creation of these works inspires collaboration among artists of all disciplines, backgrounds, and experience levels. Having these pieces in the Library helps create an inclusive space for sharing and gathering of all Nations and communities, to learn and grow together.
Read more about "Through Indigenous Placemaking, we welcome artists from or with a connection to Treaty 7 to create permanent installations in Library locations."How does the use of social media impact your mental health? Join our experts to learn how increased social media use coupled with pandemic-related stress has led to the emergence...
Read more about "Think Big: Is Social Media Impacting Your Mental Health?"Art Exhibit Spaces Artists, community groups, and organizations are invited to submit their work (all mediums including photography) for consideration to be displayed at community libraries. Learn more about the art exhibit spaces
Read more about "Art Exhibit Spaces"May 29 at 10:00 am: Join us for a journey of storytelling with Richard Scrimger's Your Story Matters! Learn to craft your narrative, appreciate others', and celebrate every story!
Read more about "Richard Scrimger and "Your Story Matters" (Gr. 5–9)"Through Indigenous Placemaking, we welcome artists from or with a connection to Treaty 7 to create permanent installations in Library locations. The creation of these works inspires collaboration among artists of all disciplines, backgrounds, and experience levels. Having these pieces in the Library helps create an inclusive space for sharing and gathering of all Nations and communities, to learn and grow together. The Indigenous Placemaking Initiative began with four pieces installed at Central Library prior to its opening on November 1, 2018. Since then, Placemaking has continued to grow at Central Library, and in other Library locations around the city. Learn more about these works and the artists who created them below. Indigenous Placemaking is supported by the Suncor Energy Foundation.
Read more about "Through Indigenous Placemaking, we welcome artists from or with a connection to Treaty 7 to create permanent installations in Library locations."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"Learn the basics of coding and create your own game.
Read more about "Coding Buddies"Participants will learn a variety of ways to save money while planning and going on vacation so they can have fun without worrying about money.
Read more about "Vacations on a Budget"