Petrocity
A discussion on the History and development of Calgary’s petroleum industry and its influence on Canada’s economy.
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During the Library’s modified services to help limit the spread of COVID-19, the Library is hosting online events. Visit this page often to see upcoming events, or register for a program on our programs page.
Join us for virtual events throughout the month of June as we come together and celebrate the powerful cultures and traditions of Indigenous communities.
Blast off to free summer fun with the Ultimate Summer Challenge at Calgary Public Library. Kids ages 0 – 12 can explore a galaxy of reading challenges, activities, and exciting free programs. Those ages 13 – 17 can join the Teen Takeover. All ages could win prizes that are out of this world!
In 2020, the Calgary Public Library’s programs went mostly online. We talked to local authors and librarians about the books the wrote and the books they love. We engaged with experts on big topics including loneliness and outer space. We explored history and religion. And, we engaged with our Residents to talk to them about art, literature, music, and more. If you missed one of our online events or want to revisit one of the discussions you attended, visit the Calgary Public Library Youtube channel for all of the available on-demand programs. And, see below for some of our most recent recordings.
A discussion on the History and development of Calgary’s petroleum industry and its influence on Canada’s economy.
Mike Bruised Head (Chief Bird) and Alvin First Rider share insights of ecological monitoring and conservation efforts on the traditional lands of Kainai First Nation, including the recent reintroduction of free-roaming bison.
Francis X. Clooney discusses his 40 year career and the resonance between Catholicism and Hinduism.
Bradford Kasberg shares his exciting work with bird and habitat conservation, keeping traditional ecological methods in active practice.
Dr. Chris Jass discusses new research that straddles the palaeontological and archaeological record in Alberta.
Dr. Muessig discusses the phenomenon of stigmata, and talks about the people who were believed to develop the five wounds of Jesus.
Professor Muessig discusses the almost-forgotten role, teachings and legacy of women preachers during the 15th century.
Experts discuss feminist approaches to ancient text, and highlight how the interpretation of women's role is dependent on how one perceives each reading.
This virtual public lecture with experts from the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute shares research on how changes in DNA can lead to cancer and how this information can improve cancer treatment.
Have you experienced the "winter blues"? Join experts in a discussion about the latest research impacting our understanding of SAD.
A discussion with experts at the University of Calgary about loneliness, and how the loneliness of quarantine might differ.
Anxiety is a part of everyday life, but at what point does it become debilitating? Join experts to explore this complex issue.
Did you know your brain and gut are constantly “talking” to one another? Learn how this connection impacts your health.
Experts from the Mathison Centre discuss supporting resilience in individuals, families, and systems in times of uncertainty.
The bestselling author of Woman on The Edge sits down to discuss thrillers, dark secrets, and how to keep readers turning the page.
Join Madeleine as she sits down with author Brian Pearson to discuss her memoir, an adventurous and riveting tale of living full tilt.
Author Ethan Lou discusses the societal effects of COVID-19, and takes us on a journey around a world that will never be the same.
In challenging times people turn to poetry for healing. Canadian poets discuss a moving collection that gives voice to our hopes and fears.
Join author and conservationist Stephen Legault as he discusses his book with Calgary journalist Jeremy Klaszus.
Join bestselling author Alka Joshi in conversation with Anila Lee Yuen as they discuss Joshi's evocative debut novel.
Author Karen Pheasant-Neganigwane chats with historian Cheryl Foggo about her new book and her personal experiences as a dancer.
Authors Robert Sandford and Doreen Vanderstoop read from their respective books and discuss the finite lifespan of the Rocky Mountain glaciers.
America’s favourite librarian Nancy Pearl and local librarian Rosemary Griebel talk about the books that inspire notable authors.
Join a discussion with Dr. Chris Jass to hear about new research that straddles the palaeontological and archaeological record in Alberta.
Experts discuss feminist approaches to ancient text, and highlight how the interpretation of women's role is dependent on how one perceives each reading.
Ancient coins are more than just money. Learn about the beauty and history of ancient Greek coinage, and ancient coin jewelry.
Join a discussion that explores the key similarities and differences between Neanderthals and modern humans.
Graduate student, Scott Coleman, discusses how Byzantine coins are used to represent Byzantine identity in Canadian Museums
Join Bertrand Bickersteth for a saga that spans a century and pulls Albertan, African and his personal history together.
Explore evidence from the Library of Alexandria to Rome's Baths of Caracalla and learn about value of libraries through the historical record.
Quentin Mackie reviews evidence for early coastal environmental change and its implications for the first peopling of the Americas.
Josh Traptow talks about past Royal Visits to Calgary, from 1901 to the latest visit by the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge in 2011.
A panel of experts discuss how architecture and landscape design impact the collective memory of the land.
This recorded event looks at the various pandemics and epidemics that affected our ancestors to better tell their stories and direct us to genealogical resources we may not have explored.
Shelly McElroy presents a fan’s perspective of the Stampeders. Learn how the team we love had a parallel history with Calgary.
Shaun Hunter talks about her project to map Calgary's literary landmarks and a few of the treasures she's found in our city.
Experts discuss the archaeological explorations of the 19th century and how these discoveries influenced Victorian culture.
Author Robert Nurden explores the life of his grandfather Stanley James who, as a young man, was a cowboy in the Canadian West.
Enjoy a glimpse of early "East Calgary” as Karen Gummo shares family stories to celebrate the life of her father, Hugh Mogensen.
Gumption, ego, and a dash of scandal: these are the stories of the small, ambitious literary community of 1920s Calgary. Shaun Hunter, Historian-in-Residence at the Calgary Public Library, explores this little-known chapter of the city’s past.
In this talk you will get to know Dante’s action-packed life and his literary descent to the pit of Hell, and ascent through Purgatory to Paradise.
This talk explore the inscriptions and images of four Buddhist nuns and discusses what this can tell us about their practices.
A discussion on the mutual influence of Atheism and Theism throughout the last three centuries.
Dr. Muessig discusses the phenomenon of stigmata, and talks about the people who were believed to develop the five wounds of Jesus.
Professor Muessig discusses the almost-forgotten role, teachings and legacy of women preachers during the 15th century.
Join Dr Du Mez as she discusses her new book Jesus and John Wayne which explores the history of white evangelical popular culture, gender, and politics.
Dr. McGinn considers the meaning of the word mysticism, and argues it is an ever deepening awareness of God’s presence in everyday life.
Learn about the life and actions of Hildegard of Bingen, a defiant saint who excelled in a world where imposing women were few.
What is the meaning behind this recent discovery? Join experts to discuss the extent to which religious concepts inform our culture.
Mike Bruised Head (Chief Bird) and Alvin First Rider share insights of ecological monitoring and conservation efforts on the traditional lands of Kainai First Nation, including the recent reintroduction of free-roaming bison.
Bradford Kasberg shares his exciting work with bird and habitat conservation, keeping traditional ecological methods in active practice.
Join music experts as they explore the common ground between Western European and Indigenous music.
Seth and Glenna Cardinal, the 2020 Indigenous Artists in Residence at the Library, sat down with Library CEO Mark Asberg to discuss healing through art.
Join representatives of the Treaty 7 Nations to discuss the details of this history-making document.
Join us to learn more about the history of winter celebrations in Metis communities in Alberta, from Christmas Eve to New Years.
Daniel Pelton and Rachel Hardy discuss what it means to pursue music in the digital age and how to grow and monetize an online presence.
Join Lisa Christensen in a presentation exploring iconic works of Canadian art, and the mountains that inspired them.
Join Composer in Residence Daniel Pelton, in a discussion about how one might manifest an ethereal concept into tangible musical expression.
Josiah Sinanan discusses interviewing without bias, and how you can prepare yourself to tackle controversial topics.
Resident writers, Shaun Hunter and Lori Hahnel from Calgary Public Library and Meg Braem from the University of Calgary, explore the benefits and perils of melding fact and fiction in writing.
Leah Hennel shares insights from her new book Along the Western Front, and explores a fresh perspective on contemporary cowboy culture.
This lecture describes recent advances in our understanding using multi-messenger observations of neutron stars, supermassive black holes, and supernova remnants combined with VERITAS high-energy gamma-ray observations.
Learn about experiments that have been used to improve our understanding of Saturn’s moon, Titan, and whether or not it is habitable.
Sarafina Nance traces the lifecycle of stars and discusses how we use supernovae to learn about fundamental aspects of our Universe.
Roland Dechesne guides us through the various astronomical interpretations of the holiday story of the Magi and their star.
Join experts on a journey through previous solar eclipses and learn about the upcoming North American eclipse happening in 2024.
Dr. Cherry Ng, discusses how the Canadian CHIME radio telescope is helping to solve the mystery behind Fast Radio Bursts.
We are always looking for dynamic presenters to bring their expertise to different Library programs. Are you passionate and knowledgeable about a specific subject? Consider hosting a partner-presented program!
Programs presented at the Library must be high quality, accessible, inclusive, relevant, open to the public, and aligned with the Library’s strategic direction and current priorities.