Books are magic and special and should be treated with great respect. But sometimes books can become something even more. Sometimes books can become a different kind of art. Join...
Read more about "LitCon 2022 – Sometimes Books Aren’t Just for Reading"On Friday, November 9, Calgary Public Library proudly celebrated its 4,300 volunteers at the 44th annual Volunteer Recognition Awards ceremony, held at Central Library.Library volunteers allow the Library to offer more programs to Calgarians, in more locations, more often. Every year, our volunteers contribute more than 80,000 hours of their time to the Library. During the recent four-day opening celebrations for Central Library, 400 roles were filled by volunteers, who contributed over 1,500 hours. For the tours alone, volunteers engaged with over 1,800 patrons.Volunteers help the Library enhance services and strengthen connections to the community. They help ensure that there is universal access to resources that lead Calgary Public Library members to learn, be inspired, and connect to their community. Library volunteers give their time, energy, and talent — and our members are the direct beneficiaries every year.The following outstanding volunteers received awards at the event:Milestone Service Award – Margaret Manko Rising Star Award – Kim Dolny Emerging Leaders Award – Abby Goldstein Bright Futures Scholarship – Alisha Elbrahim Teamwork Award – Dr. Susan Bennett and Dr. Stefania Forlini Legacy Award – William Musani Library Builder Award – Janet Hutchinson Library Builder Award – Patricia Moore Youth volunteers are integral to the work of the Library. Over 55% of our volunteers are between the ages of 12 – 17. The celebration featured a youth speaker, Asha Nenshi Nathoo, who volunteers for several programs including ELL school success, Action Squad, Conoco Phillips Reading Buddies, and special events.Thank you to each one of our volunteers for another year of incredible volunteering. Your work is an integral part of a strong and vibrant Calgary. You ensure our city and our country is Library strong!
Read more about "Stories Library Volunteers Recognized at Awards Event"The main entrance opens into the Shaikh Family Welcome Gallery, a versatile and breathtaking space for large-scale special events, celebrations, and after-hours private bookings. Unfortunately, we are unable to host weddings at the Library.
Read more about "Shaikh Family Welcome Gallery"The Moms’ Stairway in Central Library honours moms everywhere. Eveline Wheatley Goodall, the donor who named this special spot, shares the story behind the name.There was no library in the small Alberta town where I grew up — a fact that seems shocking to me now. What is even more shocking is that there was no library in the school. There was a room in the school called the library, but it held typewriters. This was post World War II, in a relatively affluent town.What I did have in those early years of my life was what my mother called the blanket cupboard. Located in our house on the landing of a stairwell, it was child-sized. I remember being lifted into it to retrieve some stored item too difficult for my mother to reach. It also contained books. Once I eagerly learned to read, it was a wellspring of stories. When I finished one book I would simply hand it to my mother and she would reach another from the blanket cupboard.What did I read? The Bobbsey Twins; all the Anne books by Lucy Maud Montgomery; Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island and Kidnapped. The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew series likely started me on my life of paying attention and figuring things out. There were many others with titles now forgotten. A travel book, by a writer who swam the Dardanelles and climbed the Matterhorn, most likely started me on my life as a traveller.When I was about ten and in Grade 4, a miracle happened. One of the service clubs in town started a library! Using a basement room in one of the medical clinics, they simply asked the townsfolk for any books they could donate. (No magazines and no Reader’s Digest condensed books.) The library, open Thursday nights and Sunday afternoons, had one full wall of children’s books and three walls of adult books.Thursday night I was there: in the back door of the medical building, down steep stairs, a long hallway, a turn to the left, another long hallway, and in the door. The room was always full of people. Clearly, I was not the only one hungry for more books and the adventure and story and beauty of word they provided.The Moms’ Stairway in Central Library honours moms everywhere. Eveline Wheatley Goodall, the donor who named this special spot, shares the story behind the name.I have continued to love libraries and reading throughout my life. I adore fiction; my all-time favourite author is David Adams Richards. When I moved to Calgary and had my own children we regularly visited our local library, Louise Riley. Today, I borrow books and browse magazines at Nose Hill Library and attend Wordfest events at Memorial Park Library.When Calgary Public Library started work on Central Library and shared renderings, I was thrilled. I thought it was the most beautiful of buildings, the sort of architectural marvel I have longed for in Calgary. My husband and I were eager to support the new Library.As donors, the Library offered us a naming opportunity. I was instantly drawn to a wonderful stairway. This spot links the exciting and unique Jocelyn Louise Anderson Children’s Library and coffee shop, making it a logical place for moms. We chose the name “The Moms’ Stairway” to honour all of those good moms past, present, and future who encourage reading. And, of course, it is named for my Mom too, M. Oren Wheatley. After all, she was my first librarian, reaching into the blanket cupboard in the stairwell to share books.
Read more about "Stories Honouring All Moms The story behind a Central Library stairway"Seton Library has lots of room — enough room for a helicopter to fit comfortably among the shelves of books and other Library services.When the under-construction Library opens, young children will have the opportunity to explore an Alouette III helicopter, one of 11 Early Learning Centres in the Library system. A partnership with the Hangar Flight Museum provided the decommissioned helicopter. Able to fly at higher altitudes and carry seven passengers, two stretchers, or small cargo loads, the Alouette III was the choice of those who worked in mountainous regions.The incredibly successful installation of Engine 23 at Central Library has inspired other creative spaces, like the Alouette III at Seton Library. Watch the video to get a sneak peek before the Library opens in early 2019.
Read more about "Stories Seton Library Home to Alouette III Helicopter"What is a land acknowledgment, and why is it important to learn? For Indigenous people, the land is their mother, providing enough for people, animals, plants, the waters, and the land to live in harmony with each other. It is where their laws, values, and teachings come from. Acknowledging the land reminds us that it is sacred to Indigenous peoples. It helps us build respectful relationships, and is an important part of reconciliation. You can honour the land with this land acknowledgment written by the Library’s Indigenous Services team: Today we acknowledge our Treaty 7 friends, Where the Blackfoot meet on Elbow’s bend. Soon came the Tsuut’ina from the Beaver clans, And the Îethka Stoney Nakoda who live in mountain lands. Last but not least, the Métis from Region three, We are all treaty people, here in Calgary.
Read more about "What is a land acknowledgment, and why is it important to learn?"Receive additional activities, resources and special event invitations, right to your inbox, twice this year.
Read more about "Sign up for a Family Reading Kit Book Club"Calgary’s oldest Library and its surrounding park were granted special status as a national historic site earlier this year.On Thursday, September 27, Parks Canada and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada will host a plaque unveiling ceremony at Central Memorial Park and Library at 1:00 pm. All are welcome to attend; dress for an outdoor ceremony.Memorial Park Library is located just south of Calgary’s downtown and opened in 1912. The classically-inspired Library has a grand columned entrance and staircase, rich and ornamental exterior, and elegant interior.Memorial Park Library was the first public Library in Alberta. Annie Davidson, one of Calgary’s cultural pioneers and visionaries, championed the building alongside the Calgary Women’s Literary Club. Beginning in 1906, the group of civic-minded women advocated for the establishment of a free public Library.The site of the future Library, now known as Central Memorial Park, was chosen in August 1908 by city plebiscite. Construction began later that year. Funds for construction came from American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who supported 125 libraries across Canada.Upon opening in 1912, Memorial Park Library quickly proved popular. It became a cultural and educational hub, even housing the city’s first art show in 1912 — an exhibit of 200 European paintings borrowed from local collectors."By the end of that first year, 1912, the original collection of 5,280 books had grown to 12,343, and the number of patrons had grown to 8,911. The most popular authors of the day were Alexandre Dumas père, Gilbert Parker, Ralph Connor, Robert Services, and Lucy Maud Montgomery,” writes Brian Brennan in The Calgary Public Library, Inspiring Life Stores Since 1912.Memorial Park Library continues to be a cultural and educational hub today. It’s now home to the Musical Lending Library, the Alexander Calhoun Salon, Wordfest, and much more. Visit this beautiful Library and park — now a National Historic Site — today!
Read more about "Stories Memorial Park Library Recognized as National Historic Site"We were a large and connected community. We turned to books and read a lot. We found new ways to connect safely. The Digital Library became even more important. We gathered to learn and interact online.
Read more about "Stories A Look Back at the Past Year at Calgary Public Library Over the past year, we've altered and innovated our services, adapted to a new normal, and come together as a community."Your free Library card gives you access to books, programs, online courses like LinkedIn Learning for Library and Rosetta Stone, printing, meeting rooms, and more.
Read more about "There are thousands of reasons to become a member."Voices of the Land is a collaboration between Indigenous communities and Library systems across Alberta. Add your own story or learn from your neighbours' with this virtual, shared learning space.
Read more about "Meet virtually with Elders from different Nations"Borrow books, digital books, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, magazines, newspapers, and even musical instruments from our collection of nearly 1.4 million items.
Read more about "Browse and borrow to your heart's content"Preference will be given to posters that: Are educational, cultural, or recreational in nature, or supply non-partisan information. Are pertinent to the city or local community. Are professional, error-free, and appropriately sized for bulletin boards. Represent organizations that do not pay to advertise or promote the event or activity elsewhere. The Library cannot accept posters that include: Fundraising or volunteer recruitment material of any kind. Programs, classes, events, or activities that parallel the Library’s programming. Advertisements for commercial products or services, including free events designed to generate future profits or create customer lists. Political or spiritual/religious material of any kind, including material that advocates action on behalf of a political or spiritual/religious organization. Formats such as periodicals or newsletters. Material that violates the Library’s standards.
Read more about "Preference will be given to posters that:"Celebrate the launch of this new book with Valentina Fox and special guests.
Read more about "Îethka:Stories and Language in Stoney Nakoda Country"