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1950s 1950: Glengarry Library opens. 1952: The Bookmobile begins service in October 1952. 1954: Alexander Calhoun Library opens in the South Calgary neighbourhood. 1959: Louise Riley Library opens in the Hounsfield Heights-Briar Hill neighbourhood.
Read more about "1950s"Nellie Befus has volunteered with Calgary Public Library for 44 consecutive years. At age 90, she holds the distinction of being the Library’s oldest volunteer, and one of the Library’s longest-serving volunteers.Her dedication to the Library was sparked on a warm fall day in 1974, when Nellie bumped into her brother-in-law on a downtown street. “How are things with you?” he asked.Nellie was feeling bored; with her four children now grown, she found herself with a lot of free time. Her brother-in-law had an idea. The oil and gas company where he worked had recently received a letter from the Library, recruiting volunteers for a new program.The program, called Homebound Readers, would see volunteers deliver Library items to people who could not visit the Library because of mobility or health concerns. Nellie was intrigued. She had never volunteered before, but something about the letter caught her eye.“I read the letter, then I marched right down to the Library,” she remembers. “I went straight up to the fifth floor and I went to somebody and I said, ‘I would like to be a volunteer.’”‘An Amazing Volunteer’Nearly a half-century later, Nellie continues to volunteer with Calgary Public Library.“Nellie is an amazing volunteer,” says Azmin Poonja, Manager, Volunteer Resources. “She is one of those volunteers that every organization dreams about. She is reliable, committed, and most importantly, she cares about people and has a passion for literacy. Nellie is a perfect fit for the Library, and her dedication to volunteering is exceptional.”Nellie, however, is quick to shrug off any praise. She’s matter-of-fact about why she has volunteered for decades: “There’s just something it does to you when you can do something for somebody else, you know?”Books by Bus and BicycleNellie started volunteering with the Homebound Readers program at its outset. She took city buses — and occasionally rode her bicycle — to deliver books to readers. She travelled across the city, between libraries and various residences. “These people needed reading, and they couldn’t get out,” she says. “Yes, some of the books were heavy, but I wasn’t an old lady then.”Along the way, Nellie, who had never been much of a reader, started to spend her bus rides reading.Nellie has warm memories of the people she befriended through Homebound Readers and the moments they shared: the stories eagerly told over tea, the “melt in your mouth” shortbread cookies she ate (and got the recipe for), the pet bird who could say “pretty Nellie.”Nellie continued to volunteer with the program into her 80s. When carrying books on the bus became challenging, she started helping with Libraries in Residence. Program volunteers display mini libraries of items, selected by Library staff, in seniors’ residences or continuing care facilities. ‘A Very Good Idea’Today, Nellie proudly runs the Library in Residence at the retirement home where she lives, helping fellow residents sign out books. She stays in close touch with Library staff, who deliver fresh titles to the residence every few months.“Nellie goes to great lengths to ensure that the program is running smoothly and to promote the program to new residents,” says Luke Gray, who oversees the Libraries in Residence program in his role with the Library’s Special Services department.“Nellie’s commitment to volunteering is unwavering. I really appreciate her no-nonsense demeanor, her genuine sense of humour, and her passion for literacy. Nellie sincerely recognizes the importance of the Library in the community.”In her seniors’ home and throughout Calgary Public Library, Nellie has become well-known for her optimistic attitude and cheerfulness. “Be nice. See what happens,” she says.Now a great-grandma, Nellie enjoys playing “silly games” on her iPad and working on jigsaw puzzles. She likes to read and lists Catherine Cookson and Mary Higgins Clark as her favourite authors.Looking back, Nellie says joining the Library as a volunteer in the ’70s was “a very good idea.” She plans to continue volunteering for as long as she can. And when she’s no longer able to get her own books, Nellie hopes there will be a Library volunteer to bring books to her.We want to know how the Library has made a difference in your life. Submit your own Library Story online.
Read more about "Stories ‘There’s Just Something Volunteering Does to You’ Our longest serving volunteer Nellie Befus has seen a lot over the course of her Library Story"Read full-text and full-colour eBooks for learners of all ages. Students will enjoy the DK Eyewitness book series on everything from animals and weather, to history and technology. All readers will find the information they need to level-up their skills in coding, writing and math. Entrepreneurs will want to explore handbooks for small business, marketing and all aspects of running your business.
Read more about "Educational eBooks. Always available."'\n ', 'The National Geographic Virtual Library', ' gives you access to', '\xa0the complete archive of\xa0', 'National Geographic', '\xa0magazine at your fingertips — every page of every issue — along with a cross-searchable collection of National Geographic books, maps, images and videos.', 'Not sure how to start? Watch the tutorial on Niche Academy: ', 'National Geographic Virtual Library tutorial', '.', '\n '
Read more about "'Explore history through a new lens'"Explore a rich collection of historical research databases including those related to First Nations and Indigenous peoples, as well as the Associated Press Collections, Smithsonian Collection Online, Archives of Human Sexuality and Gender, and Sabin Americana. You will find historical documents including books, manuscripts, photographs, newspapers, maps, magazines, and more.
Read more about "Discover a world-class collection of historical documents"'\n ', "Get started using the digital resources in Calgary Public Library's Digital Library with simple video tutorials. Find tutorials for our most popular digital resources, including: Libby, World Book, Learning Express, Gale Courses, Freegal Music, Flipster and more.", '\n '
Read more about ""Learn how to use Calgary Public Library's digital resources the easy way""Search encyclopedia articles, interactive maps, timelines, and images. Browse historical events, topic pathways and resource guides. Teachers and parents can also find educator tools such as provincial curriculum outcomes by grade and subject.Not sure how to start? Watch the tutorial on Niche Academy: World Book tutorial.
Read more about "An in-depth research tool for secondary students"'\n ', 'Explore a rich collection of historical research databases including those related to First Nations and Indigenous peoples, as well as the Associated Press Collections, Smithsonian Collection Online, Archives of Human Sexuality and Gender, and Sabin Americana. ', 'You will find historical documents including books, manuscripts, photographs, newspapers, maps, magazines, and more.', '\n '
Read more about "'Discover a world-class collection of historical documents'"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"