Thank you for your interest in presenting a program. Please call 403-260-2600 or email programming@calgarylibrary.ca
Discover the newborns of the sea with Ocean Wise! Join us in this interactive program full of eye-spy, matching games, trivia, and more! In the springtime, which animal babies can...
Read more about "STEM Explorers: Spring in the Sea"This program
Read more about "Roll out the rainbow carpet with us!"Support Library programs and services while gaining valuable expertise.
Read more about "Volunteer at the Library"A few times a month, Giselle Wong brings the Library directly to others. She’s a long time volunteer with Homebound Readers, a program for people of all ages with mobility or health concerns.The Library program is more than just a book delivery service. “It’s about companionship,” Wong says. The Calgarians she helps are delighted to have fresh books to read and a friendly face to talk to.Wong’s responsibilities include picking up holds or choosing materials, delivering those resources to elderly Library members, and returning their borrowed items. Often, she sticks around for a visit over tea. Wong enjoys those conversations; listening to stories from seniors gives her understanding into another generation, she says.The Homebound Readers program started in 1974, and continues to this day because of volunteers like Wong. Over the past 13 years, Wong has volunteered about 500 hours with the program.Wong works as a library assistant at an elementary school, and says volunteering is another way to share her deep love of libraries with others. That passion started when Wong was a youngster who spent extensive time at a public library in Ontario, learning English as a second language. “Libraries have changed me,” Wong says. “They opened my eyes to the world.”If you are interested in volunteering with the Library, please visit the Volunteers page.
Read more about "Stories Meet our Volunteers: Giselle Wong Giselle brings companionship and books to homebound readers"From little buddy to big buddy, Matthew has a long history with the Computer Buddies program
Read more about "Meet our Volunteers: Matthew Tse"“Help your sister’s boat across the water, and yours too will reach the other side.” ~ Eric HofferSusan Anderson, Special Events Volunteer with Calgary Public Library, strongly identifies with this quote by the American philosopher and the idea that helping others enriches one’s own life. So when she retired from the Library, she immediately set about volunteering…right back at the Library.Volunteering runs in Susan’s family. “I’ve volunteered since I was a teenager. I do it because I like doing it, not for any monetary gain or external reward; I volunteer because it’s interesting to me. And, it’s really fun and a great learning experience.” To date, Susan’s volunteer role has had her playing an active role in the Library’s daytime Colossal Calgary Playdates, as well the Your Ride’s On Us and Author in Residence programs, working with children and adults alike. From Susan’s perspective, someone who wants to volunteer for the Library should like people and want to understand them, have a sense of curiosity, and be a life-long learner. “An effective volunteer has to be reliable, dependable, and passionate about what they are doing!”The Library’s values align very closely with Susan’s, and that’s why she feels so very comfortable volunteering within the Library environment. “It’s a place for people, where I can offer assistance as patrons learn new things. Those four words the Library has—wonder, seek, discover, share—to me that just nails it. That’s what the Library is about and that’s why I’m so happy to be part of it all.”If you’d like to join the Library’s team of volunteers in special events or a wide variety of other programs, please visit the Volunteers page.
Read more about "Stories Meet our Volunteers: Susan Anderson Susan helps patrons learn new things with the variety of programs she volunteers with"The Library’s vibrant and quality programming for children is made possible with the help and the dedication of student volunteers. Their passion and support in mentoring younger students makes these programs come alive, leaving a lasting positive impact on both participants and volunteers.2020 brought unexpected challenges and put a pause on many volunteer opportunities. The Library is incredibly grateful for its dedicated volunteers who have waited patiently while opportunities were suspended, and we appreciate their eagerness to return to the Library.The Bright Futures Scholarship provides three scholarships, one valued at $3,500 and two valued at $1,000 each to young Library volunteers who are committed, enthusiastic, and take initiative in their volunteer roles.The scholarship is made possible by a gift from Barbara Killick, formerly a senior staff member at Calgary Public Library, and witness to the positive impact made by young volunteers on the lives of Calgarians.Meet the 2021 recipients of the Bright Futures Scholarship:Rachael Peng ($3,500 scholarship)A committed volunteer with the Library since 2016, Rachael finds teaching STEM concepts through Library programs highly rewarding. Volunteering with the Library has spurred her personal growth and motivated her to volunteer in other organizations, like Youth Central’s Youth Volunteer Corps, where she volunteers as a co-chair executive. Rachael was also inspired by the Library’s Math Quest program to continue teaching STEM skills to students, and now works in a leadership volunteer role in Stem Fellowship. Rachael is excited to continue fostering a love of learning in youth while she pursues Engineering in her post-secondary education.Chaitanya Kumar Mahajan ($1,000 scholarship)Chaitanya has been a dedicated volunteer with the Library since he was 12 years old. His enthusiasm for coding and science first prompted him to start volunteering with the Library’s Coding Buddies program, which launched him on a meaningful journey of volunteering in a variety of other Library programs and events. Through these programs, he discovered the joy of helping kids understand and apply new scientific concepts. Chaitanya is moving to Ontario to attend the University of Toronto’s Physics program, where he hopes to teach science and math to kids whose education has been affected by COVID-19.Kayden Ruda ($1,000 scholarship)Kayden is an enthusiastic and engaged volunteer who enjoys helping with programs like Reading Buddies, Coding Buddies, and Math Quest. Logging over 350 volunteer hours with the Library, Kayden often adopted a leadership role in his programs, acting as a mentor to less experienced volunteers. Volunteering at the Library inspired him to take on an active volunteer role in other community organizations, including WinSport. His volunteer efforts have been recognized with a feature in the Library’s former publication Library Connect, the 2019 Western Legacy Award for Youth, and by being selected to participate in the Global Encounters Program India. Kayden looks forward to finding more opportunities to volunteer in university as he pursues Actuarial Science and Business.Congratulations to this year’s winners! Applications for the 2022 Bright Futures Scholarship will open next spring.As Library programs grow and change, our volunteer needs change as well. Visit calgarylibrary.ca/volunteer to view upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Read more about "Stories Meet the 2021 Recipients of the Bright Futures Scholarship Congratulations to these three dedicated student volunteers."MEDIA RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJune 13, 2018Calgary, AB — The Library is the place to be this summer. Calgary Public Library invites kids, families, and teens to join the Ultimate Summer Challenge, involving more than 500 free programs at 20 libraries.Visit a Library this summer and you might be surprised at what you find: concerts, wandering magicians, exploding science experiments, dance classes, drumming circles, splatter painting, bunny obstacle courses, family yoga, tiny book making, puppy rooms, gardening, and much more. Calgary Public Library is partnering with nearly 40 local artists and community organizations to deliver free workshops, performances, demonstrations, and large-scale installations from now until September 7.The Ultimate Summer Challenge provides fun and educational experiences for everybody. The Library knows not all families can afford camps or lessons while school is out, so all 500+ programs are free. In addition to attending programs at libraries, kids and families can track their reading on Challenge Maps, while teens can complete online challenges. Everybody who registers for Ultimate Summer Challenge is entered to win awesome prizes, including iPads, Library Boss for a Day, and Chromebooks.“This year’s edition of our annual summer learning program is unlike anything we’ve done before,” said Kate Schutz, Service Design Lead, Calgary Public Library. “We’re offering free science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, and math programs. Kids are sure to be surprised, delighted — and learn something new — when they visit the Library this summer.”The Ultimate Summer Challenge is part of the TD Summer Reading Club, which is a national program for kids held by Canadian public libraries. Visit calgarylibrary.ca/summer for a full list of community partners, upcoming programs (including dates and descriptions), and registration details.Calgary Public LibraryCalgary 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 November 1, 2018.- 30 -Media Contact:Mary KapustaDirector, CommunicationsCalgary Public Library403.774.7256Mary.kapusta@calgarylibrary.ca
Read more about "Stories"This interactive outdoor program will inspire bigger, deeper play through literacy! First, read a story that will engage the imagination. Then, bring the story to life with large...
Read more about "Literacy and Loose Parts JR."Discover and learn the unique and innovative elements of Central Library spaces, programs, services, and art in a free public tour on Love Your Library Day. The tour will be...
Read more about "Central Library Tour – Ukrainians"In this fun and interactive program, children will learn some basic information about Alberta's fuzziest pollinators, as well as some practical steps to protect these...
Read more about "These Bees Need Me: how to help our pollinators (for real)"Take a close look into the inner workings of a local wildlife rehabilitation centre, from field rescues to releases. During this program, participants will explore topics such as...
Read more about "STEM Explorers: Wildlife Rescue"Interested in joining a book club, but don't know where to start? This social program is a chance to meet book lovers in your community and learn the basics of starting and...
Read more about "DIY Book Club"Grow your love of learning with free programs, books, and videos.
Read more about "Young families"Harmonize with your little ones at Memorial Park Library! This program brings caregivers and children together to learn ukulele at the same time, fostering musical skills and...
Read more about "Caregiver and Child Ukulele Lessons"