You can read all about and register for our programs online here. Calgary Public Library programming is currently happening online, with plans to begin some in-person programs at select locations April 4.
Emerging and established entrepreneurs can get advice on starting and maintaining their business.
Read more about "Visit the Entrepreneur Desk"Haley lives in Calgary and is originally from Piikani First Nation. She enjoys bucket art because it allows her to tell different and unique stories. In the future, she wants to be in child and youth care or be an elementary school teacher.
Read more about "Haley Long"MEDIA RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 6, 2018Calgary, AB — Calgary Public Library is thrilled to announce the artists who are creating Indigenous art installations for the new Central Library, opening November 1, 2018. The collaborative works by six Indigenous artists — all from, or with a connection to Treaty 7 territory — will define three spaces in the new Central Library.Keegan Starlight, Kalum Teke Dan, and Roland Rollinmud are collaborating on a colourful and vast wall mural in the new Central Library’s main entrance. Visitors will carry this impactful piece with them as they travel throughout the Library.On the feature stairs leading to the mezzanine level, there is a platform in the heart of the building that will feature a life-size buffalo sculpture made up of metal letters that spell various words in Indigenous languages, created by Lionel Peyachew.On Level 4, the Elders’ Guidance Circle will feature a stunning table and distinct furniture by Glenna Cardinal and a large photo and text-based piece by Brittney Bear Hat. The Elders’ Guidance Circle is a safe and comfortable space where anyone can meet with Elders, join in Indigenous programming, and more."Calgary Public Library knows that a public library is about more than just providing access to books; it’s about creating public gathering spaces where people can connect with one another and share ideas, knowledge, stories, and culture. Indigenous Placemaking at New Central Library will create a welcoming environment where Indigenous people can feel their culture reflected in an urban setting and where all Library visitors can learn about the original inhabitants of the land that we also call Calgary," says Shereen Samuels, Vice Chair of the Calgary Public Library Board."I’m pleased to be a part of this important initiative with the Calgary Public Library. For myself this project brings me a step closer to uncovering my family's heritage and understanding of our history through storytelling. I am creating a project that is about reminiscing and focusing on the care that reveals itself in the moments that are shared between family members," says Brittney Bear Hat.The project began nearly a year ago with insight from the Indigenous Place Making Council of Canada followed by community engagement meetings at Stoney Nation, Siksika Nation, Tsuu’tina Nation, Métis Nation of Alberta, and the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary."What makes this process so unique is how community-driven it has been,” says Teneya Gwin, Indigenous Services Design Lead at the Library. “We’ve been so adaptive based on the feedback we’ve received."The new Central Library is located in the growing community of East Village, close to Fort Calgary, where the Bow and Elbow Rivers meet and where Indigenous Peoples gathered for thousands of years.The permanent art installations are part of a $500,000 Indigenous Placemaking project, funded by the Calgary Public Library Foundation. More spaces for Indigenous art in the new Central Library are expected to be announced in 2019.The ProcessIndigenous Placemaking at Calgary Public Library began in the fall of 2017. In early 2018, Library staff and members of the Indigenous Place Making Council of Canada visited the Stoney Nation, Siksika Nation, Tsuu’tina Nation, Métis Nation of Alberta, and Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary. Open meetings were held to receive input and guidance on the placemaking process.Input from those meetings led the Library to form an Artist Selection Committee. The Library heard how important it was for the process to be community-driven, collaborative, and representative of all Treaty 7 communities: TsuuT’ina Nation, the Blackfoot Nations (Piikani, Kainai, and Siksika), Stoney Nations (Chiniki, Wesley, and Bearspaw), and Métis Nation Region 3.On May 30, 2018, the Library posted a call for Indigenous artist/artist teams and for Indigenous candidates for the Artist Selection Committee. Eight committee members joined Library staff and Artist Consultant Tamara Cardinal. The Artist Selection Committee went on to select six Indigenous artists. The selected artists encompass a range of disciplines, backgrounds, and stages of career, and are all willing to work collaboratively with each other and the broader community.The artists have presented their concepts and received feedback from the Artist Selection Committee and the Elders’ Guidance Circle. This month, the artists will present their work to Indigenous communities. Work is now underway on designing and fabricating the pieces, with installation beginning this fall.Calgary Public LibraryCalgary Public Library, with 660,000+ 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. the new Central Library — the newest gathering place for our city — opens November 1, 2018.-30-Media Contact:Kelsey MarklundSenior Account Executive, Earned MediaEdelman | edelman.caT 403.817.0633 | C 403.471.1284Kelsey.Marklund@edelman.com
Read more about "Stories"Listen to authors talk about their books and listen to discussions about art, politics, Indigenous affairs and more.
Read more about "Books and Ideas "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.
Read more about "Stories Crowfoot Library Hosts Name Ceremony"Hit, Bang, and Crash as we dive into the world of opera! Experience the multicultural world of drums from West Africa to Europe with plenty in between. Join a Calgary Opera...
Read more about "Opera 212: Drum Rhythms of Opera"Growing up near Fish Creek Library, Lindsay Hracs would visit the pyramidal building often. “It’s just somewhere I always gravitated to,” she says.Through university — a bachelor’s and master’s degree in linguistics — Lindsay would travel out of her way to study at the Library. Today, Lindsay is a PhD candidate in linguistics, and Fish Creek Library continues to be an important part of her life.It’s now where Lindsay volunteers with the Library’s Learning Advantage program, helping an adult learner. Over weekly meetups in Fish Creek Library’s breakout rooms, Lindsay and her learner work towards her learner’s goal of attending university.These days, they’re reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and working on information processing. When the pair was matched three years ago, the learner was getting by in daily life but struggling with reading and writing."There’s so much stigma around not having perfect literacy skills that the acknowledgment of needing help is a huge hurdle in itself," Lindsay says.Patricia Stephenson, Learning Advantage Program Coordinator, says people are often shocked to learn how prevalent low literacy rates are. Data from Statistics Canada shows that 17% of adults in Canada are essentially illiterate, scoring at level one or below on a system with five proficiency levels.Through one-on-one coaching and support, volunteers with the free Learning Advantage program help others. Lindsay has seen her learner’s literacy skills — as well as her independence and confidence — blossom.For Lindsay, the meetups have become a favourite part of her week. "When you have a personal connection with someone and you can help them meet their goals, it’s just so worth it," she says.While Lindsay brings a deep interest in language and the mind to the volunteer role, such a background is not necessary."Anyone who has time and enjoys books and reading can do this, and I think they should do it," Lindsay says. "It’s awesome."If you’d like to join the Library’s team of youth or adult volunteers,
Read more about "Stories Meet our Volunteers: Lindsay Hracs Helping others meet their goals inspires Lindsay to volunteer"Explore Library Express, where you can find popular new titles, pick up your holds, and browse through books recommended by Library staff. Displays change regularly, including art exhibits.
Read more about "Return your books and then find your next great read."Kierra is 15, and from the Blood, Peigan, and Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw tribes. She currently resides in Calgary with her parents and siblings. She is a sketch artist, using traditional and digital mediums. Her goal is to enroll in art school after graduation.
Read more about "Kierra First Charger"What will you do? Volunteers help Library patrons learn and practice computer skills in a one-on-one environment, including (but not limited to) the use of the Internet, software applications, coding, social media, and mobile devices. Learning looks different for every patron and may take place on Library PCs, Chromebooks, or the patron’s own personal devices. Program Length: 1.5 to two hours What’s in it for you? Meet new people and explore new opportunities Help individuals develop their technology skills Have fun and contribute to your community Develop leadership, problem-solving, communication, and time management skills
Read more about "What will you do? What’s in it for you?"What kind of bug are you? How many nymphs will you have? Which ecosystem services will you provide? Roll the dice and see how many resources you can collect by the end of the...
Read more about "Come Play the Buggy Game of Life!"What will you do? Help us organize and host fun community events at your local library! Volunteers assist with various special event duties including helping presenters, greeting and/or directing attendees, helping with activities, and set up and tear down. This is a youth and an adult volunteer opportunity. Program Length: Ongoing What’s in it for you? Meet new people and explore new opportunities Bring joy and fun to the community Have fun and contribute to your community Develop interpersonal, leadership, problem-solving, communication, and time management skills
Read more about "What will you do? What’s in it for you?"Volunteer Qualifications Passion for numeracy Friendly and able to interact with children Non-judgmental Good problem solving skills Physical range of mobility and flexibility to conduct activities with children Volunteer Responsibilities Support program goals Help participants one-on-one to complete quests Provide encouragement to children and parents Complete an orientation and training session Ensure a positive, comfortable and fun learning environment Abide by the Volunteer Standards of Conduct
Read more about "Volunteer Qualifications Volunteer Responsibilities"Get help planning lessons, or take your class on a trip to the Library.
Read more about "Educators"