MEDIA RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 28, 2020Calgary, AB – Thousands of young children and their families living in northwest Calgary now have access to a new early learning space that provides enriching resources and learning opportunities. Today, the Calgary Public Library celebrated the opening of the Co-op Community Early Learning Centre at Nose Hill Library (1530 Northmount Dr NW).“Nose Hill Library has been a cornerstone of the community since 1988, and is one of our most loved and well used locations in the city,” says Mark Asberg, CEO of the Calgary Public Library. “Thanks to Co-op Community Spaces, we are delighted to open our newest play-based learning space, which helps prepare children for lifelong learning and success.”With more than 90,000 kids under the age of five in Calgary, the demographics of the city demand a significant investment in high quality early learning. The Co-op Community Early Learning Centre at Nose Hill Library was guided by the idea that we are all connected to each other and the earth, and like all of the Library’s Early Learning Centres, is interactive, flexible and open-ended to support play and active learning."We’re proud to partner with the Calgary Public Library to create this play-based learning space at Nose Hill Library," says Lindsay Arnott, Social Responsibility Supervisor at Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL). "On behalf of local co-ops across Western Canada, Co-op Community Spaces helps create spaces for Western Canadians to come together and build social connections. We’re so glad that we can support the families and children that live in the communities around Nose Hill Library."Early Learning Centres are one piece of the Calgary Public Library’s Early Learning Strategy. The Library has a long-term goal to create these vibrant and innovative spaces in all 21 libraries in Calgary. Philanthropic support from individuals, organizations, and all levels of government have made our other Early Learning Centres possible.- 30 -Calgary Public LibraryCalgary Public Library, with 740,000 members and 21 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 15 million physical and digital items and with over 7 million in-person visits last year.Calgary Public Library FoundationThe Calgary Public Library Foundation empowers people to make a difference in their community. All donations received through the Library Foundation cultivate innovation and bring the Library to those who need it most. Our 21,500 donors are helping to build a stronger Calgary.Federated Co-operatives Limited and the Co-operative Retailing SystemFederated Co-operatives Limited (FCL), based in Saskatoon, is the 58th largest company in Canada and the largest non-financial co-operative in Canada. FCL is a unique multi-billion dollar wholesaling, manufacturing, marketing and administrative co-operative owned by more than 170 autonomous retail co-operatives across Western Canada. Together FCL and those local retail co-operatives form the Co-operative Retailing System (CRS).The CRS serves our members and communities with products and services that help build, feed and fuel individuals and communities from Vancouver Island to northwestern Ontario. Our total workforce of 25,000 employees serve 1.9 million active individual members and many more non-member customers at 1,500 retail locations in more than 580 communities. We are a different kind of business – we are locally invested, community-minded and offer lifetime membership benefits including patronage refunds, quality products, quality service and fair prices. More information is available at fcl.crs.FCL administers the Co-op Community Spaces program on behalf of more than 170 independent local co-ops across Western Canada that form the Co-operative Retailing System.Media Contacts:Mary KapustaDirector, CommunicationsCalgary Public Library403.774.7256mary.kapusta@calgarylibrary.caRachael TernerCommunications ManagerCalgary Public Library Foundation403-774-2543rachael@libraryfoundation.caCameron ZimmerCommunications and Public Relations Manager Federated Co-operatives Limited306-244-1614cam.zimmer@fcl.crs
Read more about "Stories Calgary Public Library Opens Its 13th Early Learning Centre with Support from Co-op Community Spaces"Name Ceremony Takes Place at Crowfoot Library Following Consultation with Crowfoot Family On May 2, the Calgary Public Library hosted a private ceremony at Crowfoot Library to formally receive permission from the Crowfoot family for the use of the Crowfoot name. Elder Herman Yellow Old Woman led the ceremony, which was attended by Bert Crowfoot on behalf of the Crowfoot Family, Library staff, and Blackfoot Elders who work closely with the Library.“I would like to thank you for naming this lodge of knowledge in honour of our great-great-grandfather and Crowfoot ancestors,” said Bert Crowfoot, following the ceremony. “This morning we talked about how there are a lot of issues in the world right now due to ignorance, and places like this institution are going to help bridge that gap between different worlds and different societies.”Crowfoot Library is one of the Calgary Public Library’s busiest locations, receiving nearly 500,000 visits annually. As part of the Library’s ongoing work to become more culturally aware and to honour Truth and Reconciliation, the Library acknowledges that it failed to ask the permission of the Siksika Nation or the Crowfoot family for the use of the Crowfoot name when the Library opened in 2003.In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, the Calgary Public Library recognizes that traditional Blackfoot Protocol was not followed when the Crowfoot Library was named. Following consultation with the Crowfoot Family, the Library is honoured to have been given permission to use the name.“On behalf of the Calgary Public Library, I am very happy to be a part of this beautiful celebration that is long overdue,” said Bill Ptacek, CEO for Calgary Public Library. “As one of the busiest libraries in all of Canada, it is important for us to honour the history behind the Crowfoot name and I can assure you that going forward we will always think of Chief Crowfoot and his legacy when we visit this Library.”Learn more about Indigenous Programs and Services at the Calgary Public Library.
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