History of Forest Lawn Library

Forest Lawn Library was added to the Calgary Public Library system in 1962, when the village of Forest Lawn was annexed by the City of Calgary. Originally the Forest Lawn Association Library, it was started by a group of engaged citizens and first located in the Bow River School. At the time of annexation, the location had collected more than 152,000 volumes, had 45,000 dedicated borrowers, and an annual circulation of over 867,000!  

This location has moved many times — first to the Marks Building on 17 Avenue in 1962, then in 1965, to a shopping centre down the road. On July 16, 1973, its current location opened at 4807 8 Avenue SE.  

Significant renovations were completed in 2004, nearly doubling the size of the location to 10,500 sq. ft. The location is currently the only Library with two Early Learning Centres; the Forest Lawn Library Nature Playground opened in 2017, followed by the indoor ELC, “Explore Energy,” in 2018. 

Photo: Calgary Public Library Archives, Our Story in Pictures