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Meet Engine 23

Calgary Public Library’s first play and learning experience for ages 0 – 12

Engine 23 has a new home

Experience Engine 23 at Fish Creek Library! The decommissioned fire truck will impress your whole family. Engage in imaginative play through a hands-on approach to literacy skill-building and safety education. Interact and play with the fire truck and take part in all of the standard elements of the Library's Early Learning Centres, including mobility, climbing, physical literacy, and sharing space. 

Engine 23 opening party

Sound the alarm! Engine 23 will open at Fish Creek Library in 2024. 

The decommissioned fire truck will help children play together, learn life-saving fire safety tips, and create their very own Engine 23 adventures. Engine 23 is a partnership between Calgary Public Library and the Calgary Fire Department, and generously supported by the Calgary Public Library Foundation. 

What is 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.   
 
Installed on the second floor of Fish Creek Library between the Early Learning Centre and Questionarium, Engine 23 is an immersive, full-body play experience for children. 
 
This is an exciting opportunity to reimagine the Engine 23 play and learning experience that is unique to Fish Creek Library and able to be enjoyed by all ages. An accessible cab with a universal design provides children and parents who are unable to access the fire truck a way to engage in the Engine 23 experience.

Upcoming Programs

Engine 23 Activities

Saturday, May 11

10:15 am - 10:45 am  Family Storytime 
11:00 am - 12:00 pm Puddle of Mud
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Face Painters
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Juggling Workshop

Upcoming Events

Date
Time
Activity
Saturday, April 20 10:15 - 10:45 Family Storytime
  11:00 - 12:00 Music with Mandy
  12:00 - 1:00 Fire Hound Mascot 
  12:00 - 2:00 Face Painters 
  2:30 - 3:30 Hula Hoop workshop
     
Saturday, April 27 10:15 - 10:45 Family Storytime 
  11:00 - 12:00 The Crickettes 
  12:00 - 2:00 Princess visit 
  2:30 - 3:30 Lady Buggy Bug Room
     
Saturday, May 4 10:15 - 10:45 Opera 212
  11:00 - 12:00 Mad Science 
  12:00 - 2:00 Super Hero Visit 
  2:30 - 3:30 Reptile Parties 
     
Saturday, May 11 10:15 - 10:45 Family Storytime 
  11:00 - 12:00 Puddle of Mud 
  12:00 - 2:00 Face Painters 
  2:30 - 3:30 Juggling Workshop

 

The Engine 23 experience

Kids ages 0 – 12 will find age-appropriate and fun ways to engage in imaginative play and learning, with a hands-on approach to literacy skill-building and safety education. Our young patrons will be able to: 

  • Interact with a real, retired fire engine; listen to pre-recorded, fake emergency calls, lights and sounds  
  • Climb inside the back of the cab to interact with real switches and levers   
  • Explore the upper level of the truck with a large map and small fire truck toys for children to learn navigation and map reading  
  • Try and “beat the clock” getting dressed up in fire gear  
  • Pretend to be firefighters in an imagination area  
  • Get Low and Go! Crawl through the tunnel and learn what to do in an emergency  
  • Enjoy storytimes with real Calgary Fire Department firefighters   

Engine 23 is a partnership between Calgary Public Library and the Calgary Fire Department, and generously supported by the Calgary Public Library Foundation. You can learn more about the plans behind this play and learning experience and help Calgary Public Library get a ladder up on literacy by visiting the Calgary Public Library Foundation online. 

Engine 23 experience v2
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Fire safety starts with you

Learn about home safety and the life of a firefighter with colouring sheets, puzzles, and games in the Fire Safety Activity Book.

Pick up your copy at any Calgary fire hall or Calgary Public Library location.

Download your Fire Safety Activity Book

Safety Activities for your Classroom

Old Engine 23 2016 720x560

What is 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.  

Lifecycle renovations of Fish Creek Library will allow for installation on the second floor between the existing Early Learning Centre and Questionarium.   

This is an exciting opportunity to reimagine the Engine 23 play and learning experience that is unique to Fish Creek Library and able to be enjoyed by all ages. 

The Engine 23 experience

Kids ages 0 – 12 will find age-appropriate and fun ways to engage in imaginative play and learning, with a hands-on approach to literacy skill-building and safety education. 

You can learn more about the plans behind this play and learning experience and help Calgary Public Library get a ladder up on literacy by visiting the Calgary Public Library Foundation online.

Firefighter Storytime and Storytime with the Fire Chief

Stop, drop, and roll to join Library staff and a Calgary Fire Department firefighter for a special family storytime with books and rhymes about firefighting and fire safety. Firefighter subject to availability.

Register for free programs