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Scottie Grinton is a longtime Library member, a voracious reader who upped his visits when he became a father and started bringing his young son. Then in the mid ’90s, with his marriage on the rocks, the Library took on new meaning to him.“The Library deserves a bunch of credit for contributing to the saving of my sanity and my spirit,” he says.Scottie says he’s not the kind of guy that escapes to bars and clubs. Instead, the Library became his refuge.“It was a place I could go and feel safe and I could take time for myself, both in terms of escape, like reading fiction, and in terms of the sort of things I needed to keep my head on straight, like looking up counselling services,” he says.Scottie visited Nose Hill Library a few times a week. During those visits, Scottie remembers smiling Library staff who would always say hello. He found joy being in a comfortable place and devouring works of fiction. “There’s nothing safer than a book,” he says. Scottie gravitated to a diverse assortment of genres: cheesy spy thrillers, science fiction, classics he never read in high school (like Lord of the Flies), and summer reads.“I was lost,” he remembers. “When a marriage breaks down — even if a marriage ending is a good thing — your foundation is shaken up. I was looking for a place where I could feel emotionally safe and secure, and I found that at the Library.”Looking back now, Scottie says time, work, and creativity helped him get through a tough divorce. He also focused on being a good dad, and that meant lots of time spent reading with his son.In later years, when Scottie and his son moved to a south Calgary neighbourhood, the Giuffre Family Library (formerly Alexander Calhoun Library) became their home Library. “I really like this location because there’s an intimacy here,” he says.Scottie sees immense value in libraries, for being buildings full of books and resources, and welcoming places for people. “There’s such a need for community, for people coming together,” he says. He considers libraries valuable public spaces, quite unlike anywhere else in the city.Today, Scottie’s life is much different than it was in the ‘90s. He is happily remarried and works as a Realtor and a part-time actor. His wife, also a Realtor, is a writer with two books on the Library’s shelves.Now a grandpa, Scottie is proud that his three young grandchildren love reading. And Scottie still enjoys escaping into a good read; he loves plays, science fiction, mystery, and biographies, and is currently raving about The Essay.We want to know how the Library has made a difference in your life. Submit your own Library Story online.
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Read more about "'Welcome to Canada and the Library'"This all-ages play and learning experience will be available at Fish Creek Library starting Fall 2023.
Read more about "Engine 23"Engine 23 is a decommissioned Calgary Fire Department pumper truck that was part of the Early Learning Centre at the old Central Library. Since the opening of the new Central Library in 2018, Engine 23 has been waiting to find its new home.
Read more about "What is Engine 23?"Sound the alarm! Don’t miss the Engine 23 Opening Party on
Read more about "Engine 23 Opening Party"Tips for Creating Your Perfect Reading Nook
Read more about "Reading at Home"A special literary presentation moderated by the creator of Kim’s Convenience, Ins Choi. Join authors Teresa Wong, Katrina Kwan, Terry Fong, and others for an engaging...
Read more about "FascinAsian Film Festival 2024: Discovering Asian Stories"The Wellness Desk is a free service at Central Library in partnership with Wood's Homes. It provides access to free mental health and addictions support, health information, and referral services.
Read more about "You might feel like you’re being watched — by a goldfish!"Ruth was born on the Siksika First Nation, east of Calgary. Her Father was Blackfoot and her mother was Cree. She was raised in her traditional culture. As a young child, she was placed in the Indian Residential School, where she suffered much abuse. She survived that experience and the following years of addiction and violence. In 1974, she experienced spiritual reawakening and chose a healing path. She worked in many helping places until she had the vision to address the legacy of her people, working for many years to establish a shelter for Aboriginal women based on a cultural approach. Ruth ran for the position of MLA in southern Alberta in 1992 for the NDP. She then ran and was subsequently elected as a Band Councillor at Siksika Nation, where she sat for 18 years. In 2014, she released her book titled
Read more about "Ruth Scalp Lock"If art is part of your student’s curriculum or you’re simply looking for family-friendly craft ideas and inspiration, our Digital Library has you covered. We’ve rounded up our favourite eResources to help every student channel their inner artist and discover the joy in creating. Use your free Library membership to access these great apps and resources. No Library card? No problem. Sign up for free online and start using it now. World Book Online for Kids World Book Online for Kids is an online learning platform developed for young users. Children can explore a variety of topics in easy-to-read articles, images, and videos. You can also solve puzzles while learning fun facts or try out experiments. Is your little musician looking for new ways to make some noise? Build your own Flute, Rubber-Band Strummer, or Coffee-Can Bongos with easy instructions under the Activities icon then choose Make Some Noise. (Ages 6 – 10) Use art to learn about geography! Under the Maps and More icon, try the Outline Maps and Flags feature. Choose a continent and then a country to get a downloadable map of that country and its flag, perfect for colouring or imagining your next adventure. (Ages 6 – 12) Gale Virtual Reference Library Find full-text eBooks for learners of all ages in the Gale Virtual Reference Library on subjects including coding, business, science, and travel. If your child loves wandering through a gallery or museum, take a look at the book Art That Changed the World. It tells an engaging story of art from ancient to modern times and includes photos of important works. (Ages 9 – 12)
Read more about "Stories Arts eResources for ages 6 – 12"This all-ages play and learning experience is available at Fish Creek Library.
Read more about "Engine 23"Find the right job for you, build a website, start a business, prepare for college, and more.
Read more about "Gale Courses"