$1 Million Donation Supports Entrepreneurial Innovation and Lifelong Learning at the Library

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2018

Calgary, AB—A $1 million donation from the Arthur J. E. Child Foundation announced today will support Calgarians with free, accessible business resources and programs to establish a strong, entrepreneurial ecosystem in our city.

“Arthur J.E. Child was dedicated to excellence and discipline in business, and kindness and generosity in philanthropy throughout his lifetime. His private charitable Foundation is honoured to promote this legacy through the support of the New Central Library business library and programs, which is especially fitting given Mr. Child’s love of literature. He was a voracious reader, an acquirer of a substantial personal library collection, and an avid promoter of business education, all of which will be reflected in our proud partnership with Add In,” said Lorne Jacobson, lead Trustee of The Arthur J.E. Child Foundation.

In recognition of this transformational gift, the Library will name the Arthur J. E. Child Business Library at Central Library when it opens on November 1, 2018. Additionally, the Arthur J. E. Child Careers & Small Business series can be accessed by Calgarians and members of First Nations with a free Library card at calgarylibrary.ca.

“Economic downturns require many to re-skill or expand their skills, and often inspires the creation of new small businesses,” says Ellen Humphrey, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Calgary Public Library Foundation. “Arthur J. E. Child Foundation’s investment will provide free resources and practical knowledge for all Calgarians and aspiring entrepreneurs, which in turn, supports our city’s prosperity and resilience. This gift is a wonderful testament to Arthur James Edward Child’s business and philanthropic legacy.”

The Arthur J. E. Child Foundation is a Founding Partner of Add In—the Campaign for Calgary’s Library, a bold, audacious vision to take a great library system and transform it into the best in the world.

Calgary Public Library Foundation

Add In—the Campaign for Calgary’s Library, is the largest public campaign for a public library in Canadian history. The $350 million campaign will enhance and support a system of community libraries across Calgary and is inspired by the new Central Library, which will open its doors to the world in 2018. To learn more about Add In and the Calgary Public Library’s vision to create the best public library in the world for Calgarians, visit addin.ca.

Calgary Public Library

Calgary Public Library, with 630,000+ members and 20 locations, has been inspiring the life stories of Calgarians for more than 100 years. It is currently the second largest library system in Canada and the sixth largest municipal library system in North America, with Calgarians borrowing more than 14.6 million physical and digital items and with 6.8 million in-person visits last year. The awe-inspiring 240,000 sq. ft. Central Library — the newest gathering place for our city — opens in November 2018.

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Media Contacts:
Rachael Terner
Manager of Communications
Calgary Public Library Foundation
C: 403.680.0626
rachael@addin.ca

Mary Kapusta
Director, Communications
Calgary Public Library
P: 403.774.7256
mary.kapusta@calgarylibrary.ca