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.
Be mindful to not interrupt the Elder who is sharing until they give you the space to speak. This shows the Elder that you respect them and their teachings.
Read more about "Give your time and attention."Indigenous cultures share stories in many ways
Read more about "Listen and Reflect"A Design Thinking Approach to Crisis Response Demonstrates Transformative Approach to Revolutionizing Public LibrariesCalgary, AB – The Urban Libraries Council announced Calgary Public Library as one of 10 Top Innovators during the 2020 Innovations Celebration held virtually on December 11. The annual Innovations award program recognizes and raises the visibility of cutting-edge programs, strategies, tools, techniques, and ideas from ULC’s member library systems across the U.S. and Canada.Calgary Public Library’s Design Thinking Approach to Crisis Response was selected by a panel of expert judges from 260 submissions in 10 categories that showcase creative thinking and imaginative applications of library resources. Calgary Public Library won in the category of Organizational Change and Strategic Management, with award winners being recognized for their level of ingenuity, the outcomes achieved and the ability for other libraries to adapt and implement their work. “This year’s winners have quickly taken bold moves to ensure that the library continues to serve the needs of the people in their community – especially those most vulnerable including children, stressed families, isolated seniors, and struggling small businesses,” said Urban Libraries Council President and CEO Susan Benton. “In the 10th year of our Innovations Initiative, we received the most dynamic and cutting-edge submissions to date. We celebrate Calgary Public Library for creating an initiative that will positively impact their community and serve as a model to public libraries throughout North America.” The Library closed its doors on March 16, and it would be 126 days before all locations reopened at regular hours. The Library had to respond to the crisis and ensure a continuity of service, but also position the organization for the future. With a unique operational structure in place to prioritize design thinking, the Calgary Public Library was able to quickly pivot in the face of COVID-19 and employ the fundamentals of this approach to respond to community needs during the pandemic, create a safe and rapid path to reopening, and launch long-term service innovations. "Calgary Public Library is proud to be the recipient of this award, particularly as it recognizes the work of our entire team mustering a coordinated, impactful, and timely response to a community-wide crisis,” said Mark Asberg, CEO for Calgary Public Library. “This response involved rapid prototyping and piloting and continuous iteration and learning. Leveraging our team's strengths in strategically aligned design thinking, a key success was keeping the post-pandemic future front of mind in responding to present day needs: deliberately contemplating how what we are building today is preparing us for a different library world that will not simply be a return to the traditions of the past." The rapid implementation of multiple supports allowed Calgary Public Library to safely pivot and reopen services to address immediate needs, while establishing infrastructure that will enhance services long-term. The Library provided insight and knowledge to dozens of other library systems, including health and safety measures, communication methods, reopening models, and new service ideas. The full award submission can be viewed at A Design Thinking Approach to Crisis Response. All 2020 ULC Innovations entries can be viewed at urbanlibraries.org. About Calgary Public Library Calgary Public Library, with 740,000 members and 21 locations, has been inspiring the life stories of Calgarians for more than 100 years. Last year, Calgarians borrowed more than 15 million physical and digital items and visited the Library seven million times.About Urban Libraries CouncilThe Urban Libraries Council is an innovation and impact tank of North America’s leading public library systems. ULC drives cutting-edge research and strategic partnerships to elevate the power of libraries as essential, transformative institutions for the 21st-century. More than 150 urban member libraries in the U.S. and Canada rely on ULC to identify significant challenges facing today’s communities and provide new tools and techniques to help libraries achieve stronger outcomes in education, digital equity, workforce and economic development, and race and social equity.
Read more about "Stories Calgary Public Library Receives the 2020 Innovation Award"'\n ', 'Caretakers ', 'of', '\xa0the Land', '\u202fis a virtual\u202fprogram\u202ffor\u202fgrades K – 6. In this program, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, authors, illustrators, performers, and Library staff share the diverse perspectives and ways of knowing of First Nations, Métis and Inuit\u202fpeople living in Alberta.', '\xa0', 'Use the information, activities, booklists, and resources on this page at home or in class to support students as they learn about Indigenous ways of knowing.', '\xa0', '\xa0', '\n '
Read more about "'Stories and teachings from the land.'"Meg is an Alberta-based playwright and dramaturg whose work has been presented across the country. Her plays have been nominated for a Governor General’s Literary Award and won the Alberta Literary Award for Drama and the Alberta Playwriting Competition.
Read more about "Meet Meg Braem"Learn about Treaty 7 cultures and storytelling with these online resources.
Read more about "Caretakers of the Land"Norma High, a volunteer who joined the Library in 1974, is so passionate about bringing books to people who can not otherwise access them that she got her whole family involved in the cause.For nearly 44 years, Norma has volunteered with the Libraries in Residence program, delivering books to people in a continuing care facility. Norma, 85, is one of the Library’s longest-serving volunteers.“I have always had a love for books,” Norma said. She loves visiting and bringing books to residents at Carewest Glenmore Park, an Alberta Health Services facility in southwest Calgary. With her background in nursing, Norma is a perfect fit for delivering books to the hospital’s residents.“Volunteering is giving, giving back to the community, giving back because I can,” she said. “We want to put a little bit of sunshine into people’s lives.”Norma’s husband, Bob High, started volunteering with Libraries in Residence in 1985.“Besides delivering books, it was an opportunity to talk about local history and events with the residents,” said Bob, 88. He would sometimes go in place of Norma and went on to build his own relationships with the long-term care residents.“It gives you a lot of satisfaction,” Bob said.Hearing stories from residents and discussing books with them led Norma to share her experiences with her children, and later her grandchildren. Norma started to bring her son and daughter to volunteer with her when they were 13 and 11.During their days off from school and over summer break, Alan High and Glenna High Bagley started to love volunteering. Norma saw her children learn how to share, and in Glenna’s case, she came out of her shell.“I absolutely loved it,” Glenna said. She remembers being initially nervous around elderly people as a child, but she soon came to love delivering books and visiting with people. She said her son, Matthew, was as shy as she was when he started volunteering at the age of eight with his sister Taylor, age ten.“I am so proud of my children and grandchildren,” Norma said.Norma, who is called the “book lady” by hospital residents, found that residents rely on her book delivery every two weeks. One resident said books were more important than her bath, because books were what kept her at peace while in the hospital.Norma and Bob, who have lived in Calgary for 48 years, keep a private collection of every genre of book you can think of. They enjoy travelling and have visited many places in Canada and around the world. On their travels, they pick up books to add to their catalogued collection — the oldest one being from the 1850s.That extensive home library is popular with Norma’s children and grandchildren, who regularly borrow books from it. When they find a book they like and want to “inherit”, they mark it with their own coloured dot.Norma continues to share her love of reading with hospital residents, and plans to for as long as she can — “until I fall over, or until I can’t push the cart anymore,” she said.The High and Bagley families are leaving their three-generation legacy in another way, too. They are commemorating their love of reading and dedication to volunteering with two windows at the new Central Library.We want to know how the Library has made a difference in your life. Submit your own Library Story online.
Read more about "Stories ‘I Give Back Because I Can’ Norma High delivers the joy of reading to others in her Library Story"Jesse is a visual artist, animator, and filmmaker from Alberta. His practice includes illustration, graphic design, and photography, but his core focus is spray-painted murals. He teaches mural and animation arts across Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Read more about "Jesse Gouchey"From narratives that she loves to guides on living creatively and sharing your art with the world, these titles have helped Natalia develop throughout her artistic practice. As she works on her residency project, they are also key points of reference to inspire her work.
Read more about "Recommended reads from the Children's Illustrator in Residence"The Indigenous Artist in Residence is pleased to consult with emerging and established artists of all ages to discuss technique, inspirations, style, or whatever aspect of the art world would be most helpful.
Read more about "Book a virtual one-on-one consultation"Michael Green (1957 – 2015) was a driving force and visionary for Calgary’s arts community. The green room where speakers and performers prepare prior to entering the Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall has been named in his honour.
Read more about "The Michael Green Green Room is a testament to the legacy of the co-founder of One Yellow Rabbit Theatre."Jesse is a visual artist, animator, and filmmaker from Alberta. His practice includes illustration, graphic design, and photography, but his core focus is spray-painted murals. He teaches mural and animation arts across Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Read more about "Jesse Gouchey"Return your books and then find your next great read. 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."The Newcomer Artist in Residence is pleased to consult with emerging and established artists of all ages to discuss technique, inspirations, style, or whatever aspect of the art world would be most helpful.
Read more about "Book a virtual one-on-one consultation"Kalum hails from the Blood Tribe in Southern Alberta. He was inspired to make art by his grandparents, who were known internationally for their beadwork and regalia. Working in oil and watercolour, he is known for his portraiture and wildlife depictions.
Read more about "Kalum Teke Dan"