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Media Centre

Awards and Recognition

A Highly Acclaimed Library System

At the Library we pride ourselves in creating spaces that provide access to new ideas, connections, and supports. The recognition the Library has received is a testament to our dedication to serving the community and helping build a strong future.

From being known as an international tourist destination to the well-thought-out designs that provide our community with essential services — everyone has the potential to discover something new and be inspired at Calgary Public Library.

Memorial Park Staff member skyview

Central Library

Library Services and Programs

Minister's Awards for Municipal and Public Library Excellence: Plan My Vote App (Shortlisted)

Minister's Awards for Municipal and Public Library Excellence: City of Calgary: “Level Up, Calgary Minecraft Challenge”

Facility

Time Magazine: 100 Greatest Places of 2019

New York Times: 52 Places to Go in 2019

New York Times: In a Year of Abrupt Transitions, a trip to Tahiti. And Calgary.

New York Times: Two Canadian Stops on our 52 Places to Go List

Entuitive Consulting Engineers

Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards — Winner: Award of Excellence

Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards — Winner: Engineering a Better Canada 

Entro

Good Design Award from the Chicago Athenaeum for wayfinding and signage design for the Central Library

Photos by Michael Grimm.

Architecture and Design

2019 Calgary Awards: The Award for Accessibility

Mayor's Urban Design Awards: The Mawson Urban Design Award

Azure Magazine: Best Canadian Architecture of the Decade

Popular Mechanics: 20 of the World's Most Stunning Libraries

American Institute of Architects: Architecture Honour Award

Consulting Engineers of Alberta 2020 Showcase Awards: Award of Excellence in Building Engineering – Institutional 

Snøhetta

Fast Company: Most Innovative Company (Winner in part due to Central Library project)

Fast Company: Why Snøhetta's amazing new library might remind you of an Apple Store

Fast Company: This is the Apple Store of libraries

American Institute of Architects: Snøhetta and Dialog, 2020 recipient of the Architecture Award

Canadian Municipal Land Corporation

American Institute of Architects: 2019 AIA/ALA Library Building Award - The Central Library

2019 SEGD Global Design Awards, Merit Award for Wayfinding - The Central Library

Mayor's Urban Design Awards, Great City Great Design - New Central Library