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When Calgary mom Mirna Khaled’s young daughter Julia felt she could not relate to picture books because none of the characters were in a wheelchair like her, Mirna helped write Julia her own book.Julia is an eight-year-old who has cerebral palsy. Her mother Mirna wanted people to "see her, not the wheelchair," so she and Julia’s aunt, Rawan Khaled, wrote and illustrated a book about Julia and her cousin Annabella, called Julia and Bella.The story is about Julia getting bullied at school and her headband being stolen. Annabella helps Julia feel better, including buying her a new headband.Mirna hopes the story will educate other kids about why Julia is in a wheelchair, and teach them that a wheelchair is "not something to be ashamed of.""I wanted her to see someone like her," Mirna said.Julia and Bella is on the shelves at libraries throughout Calgary, including Forest Lawn Library, where the Khaled family frequently visits. Julia personally put copies on the shelves at Forest Lawn Library last fall."I couldn’t believe it," Mirna said when she learned that Julia’s book would be on Library shelves.Mirna, Julia, and Jalal, Julia’s twin brother, moved to Calgary in June 2015 from Lebanon. Mirna, a single mother, wanted a better education and more opportunities for her children.In Lebanon, Julia was not allowed to go to school because the school didn’t have the resources to support her, even though Mirna was an assistant principal. Mirna said people in Lebanon would look at Julia with pity, but in Canada they smile at her and encourage her.The mother and daughter have a close bond, and Jalal loves to help his mother take care of Julia. "My brother is strong, nice, and he helps," Julia said.Julia’s personality changed drastically after the family moved to Canada. Before moving to Canada, Julia was non-verbal. Mirna said she will never forget the day that Julia started speaking to strangers and having a conversation with them.Now Julia initiates conversation with people and always has a smile on her face. She can string together full sentences, in both Arabic and English, and she loves to read books. "Education is her weapon to face the problems in life," Mirna said.The Forest Lawn Library was a big part of Julia’s advancement in reading and learning, Mirna said. Since they moved to Calgary, Julia and her family regularly visit the Library."[The Library] is a safe place to educate and play with your kids," Mirna said. "The Library is the perfect place to meet your neighbours and friends. It’s easy to come here, it’s accessible."Moving to Canada, Mirna had a dream to raise awareness about cerebral palsy. She wants people to know that Julia "can do everything that you do but in her own special way."Mirna created a Facebook page to get the word out about Julia. She is now selling the book, Julia and Bella, and handmade headbands at markets around the city to raise money for a future surgery to enable Julia to walk.Mirna has always had faith in Julia advancing. "I know that she is a smart girl," she said. "I know she can do it. I know she can learn."We want to know how the Library has made a difference in your life. Submit your own Library Story online.
Read more about "Stories ‘The Perfect Place to Meet Your Neighbours’ Julia Khaled is breaking down barriers with her Library Story"When Calgary mom Mirna Khaled’s young daughter Julia felt she could not relate to picture books because none of the characters were in a wheelchair like her, Mirna helped write Julia her own book.Julia is an eight-year-old who has cerebral palsy. Her mother Mirna wanted people to "see her, not the wheelchair," so she and Julia’s aunt, Rawan Khaled, wrote and illustrated a book about Julia and her cousin Annabella, called Julia and Bella.The story is about Julia getting bullied at school and her headband being stolen. Annabella helps Julia feel better, including buying her a new headband.Mirna hopes the story will educate other kids about why Julia is in a wheelchair, and teach them that a wheelchair is "not something to be ashamed of.""I wanted her to see someone like her," Mirna said.Julia and Bella is on the shelves at libraries throughout Calgary, including Forest Lawn Library, where the Khaled family frequently visits. Julia personally put copies on the shelves at Forest Lawn Library last fall."I couldn’t believe it," Mirna said when she learned that Julia’s book would be on Library shelves.Mirna, Julia, and Jalal, Julia’s twin brother, moved to Calgary in June 2015 from Lebanon. Mirna, a single mother, wanted a better education and more opportunities for her children.In Lebanon, Julia was not allowed to go to school because the school didn’t have the resources to support her, even though Mirna was an assistant principal. Mirna said people in Lebanon would look at Julia with pity, but in Canada they smile at her and encourage her.The mother and daughter have a close bond, and Jalal loves to help his mother take care of Julia. "My brother is strong, nice, and he helps," Julia said.Julia’s personality changed drastically after the family moved to Canada. Before moving to Canada, Julia was non-verbal. Mirna said she will never forget the day that Julia started speaking to strangers and having a conversation with them.Now Julia initiates conversation with people and always has a smile on her face. She can string together full sentences, in both Arabic and English, and she loves to read books. "Education is her weapon to face the problems in life," Mirna said.The Forest Lawn Library was a big part of Julia’s advancement in reading and learning, Mirna said. Since they moved to Calgary, Julia and her family regularly visit the Library."[The Library] is a safe place to educate and play with your kids," Mirna said. "The Library is the perfect place to meet your neighbours and friends. It’s easy to come here, it’s accessible."Moving to Canada, Mirna had a dream to raise awareness about cerebral palsy. She wants people to know that Julia "can do everything that you do but in her own special way."Mirna created a Facebook page to get the word out about Julia. She is now selling the book, Julia and Bella, and handmade headbands at markets around the city to raise money for a future surgery to enable Julia to walk.Mirna has always had faith in Julia advancing. "I know that she is a smart girl," she said. "I know she can do it. I know she can learn."We want to know how the Library has made a difference in your life. Submit your own Library Story online.
Read more about "Stories ‘The Perfect Place to Meet Your Neighbours’ Julia Khaled is breaking down barriers with her Library Story"Julia decided to make a donation to name this space in honour of her favourite pastime: reading. Now you can pull up a chair to work, study, or read while enjoying breathtaking views of the city. Don’t forget to peer down to level 3 to get a new perspective on FISH.
Read more about "Sit back, relax, and enjoy the view on the Julia Turnbull Terrace."Stories come to life with animated pictures that help young children learn to read.
Read more about "Bookflix"Get on the path to find a job, build your own website, start a business, improve your English, write your book, brush up on your computer skills, prepare for college, and more. Cardholders have free access to courses with their Library card. Once registered, the Library is unable to drop or transfer you from a course. Please read the course requirements carefully prior to registering for a course.Not sure how to start? Watch the tutorial in Niche Academy: Gale Courses tutorial
Read more about "Free, interactive, instructor-led online courses. "Get settled at the Newcomers Desk Drop in to the Library to get support from newcomer-serving organizations. Meet with staff for needs assessment and referrals, document translation, language training, child support, education and skills training, employment, community connections and more. Newcomers Desk is presented in partnership with Immigrant Services Calgary, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society , and Calgary Immigrant Women's Association who connect recent immigrants to government agencies, organizations, and community members to help them build new lives in Canada. Newcomers Desk is generously supported by the RBC Foundation. Central Library Hours Mondays: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (CCIS) Tuesdays: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (ISC) Wednesdays: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (CCIS) Thursdays: 10:30 am – 7:00 pm (ISC) Fridays: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm (CCIS) Central Library Newcomers Desk is located in room 3-19B. Country Hills Library Hours Tuesdays: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (CCIS) Crowfoot Library Hours Wednesdays: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (CCIS) Forest Lawn Library Hours Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm (CCIS) Saddletowne Library Hours Mondays: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (ISC) Tuesdays: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (CCIS) Alternate Wednesdays starting June 14, 2023: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (CIWA) Seton Library Hours Saturdays: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm (CCIS) Shawnessy Library Hours Tuesdays: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm (CCIS) Village Square Library Hours Mondays and Wednesdays: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm (CCIS) Alternate Thursdays starting June 22, 2023: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (CIWA)
Read more about "Central Library Hours"Sound the alarm! Engine 23 will open at Fish Creek Library in fall 2023.
Read more about "The new adventures of Engine 23"The Library's first play and learning experience for ages 0 – 12 at Fish Creek Library.
Read more about "Meet Engine 23"Ask our experts Call the Library at 403.260.2600, or send us a message through chat or email to get in touch with a staff member. Whether you want a personalized book recommendation, need tech support, are looking for help with schoolwork, or need information about current events, our experts can answer any questions you may have or connect you to the appropriate community resource. Library Hotline staff are available Monday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday from noon to 5:00 pm. For inquires by mail, please contact: Calgary Public Library Administration Central Library, Level 4 800 3 St SE Calgary, AB T2G 2E7
Read more about "Ask our experts"What will you do? Bring stories and reading to life for students in Grades 1 through 3! Reading Buddies volunteers share books and play fun literacy games with their “little buddy” in a group setting that’s facilitated by a staff member. Volunteers encourage children to read, and make reading fun! This is a youth volunteer opportunity for Grades 7-12. Program Length: 1.5 hours weekly, six-week program What’s in it for you? Meet new people and explore new opportunities Have fun and contribute to your community Develop inter-personal, leadership, problem-solving, communication, and time management skills
Read more about "What will you do? What’s in it for you?"'\n ', 'Get on the path to find a job, build your own website, start a business, improve your English, write your book, brush up on your computer skills, prepare for college, and more.\xa0', 'Cardholders have free access to courses with their Library card. Once registered, the Library is unable to drop or transfer you from a course. Please read the course requirements carefully prior to registering for a course.', 'Not sure how to start? Watch the tutorial in Niche Academy:\xa0', 'Gale Courses tutorial', '\n '
Read more about "'Free, interactive, instructor-led online courses. '"What will you do? Help a young reader in Grades 1 to 6 discover the magic of reading. Volunteers share literacy-based games and fun books and support children one-on-one to foster a lifelong love of reading. Program Length: One hour weekly What’s in it for you? Be a positive mentor for a child Help children improve their self-confidence and literacy skills Strengthen creative thinking, coaching skills, and supportive communication
Read more about "What will you do? What’s in it for you?"Indigenous Voices in Library Services Nations to Nations: Indigenous Voices at Library and Archives Canada is a free multimedia e-book featuring essays and images written and curated by Indigenous staff at Library and Archives Canada (LAC). These essays offer personal interpretations of Library collection items and reflect on the unique perspectives that First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation bring to libraries. Download your copy
Read more about "Indigenous Voices in Library Services"