About Calgary Public Library
The Calgary Public Library system includes the downtown Central Library and 19 community libraries, in Calgary, Alberta. https://calgary. bibliocommons.com/locations /
Calgary Public Library Description
Founded in 1912, Calgary Public Library has grown to become the second largest library system in Canada, and the and sixth largest municipal library system in North America.
We’re home to more than 600, 000 members who enjoy free access to the books, e-resources, services, and programs available at our 18 (soon to be 21) community libraries that welcome more than 6. 6 million visitors each year.
Reviews
Leave a question about New Central Library in the comments, and Sarah Meilleur (Director, Service Delivery) will be answering them during our Facebook Live on August 24 at noon!
Edited to add: we're making a list of all the questions in the comments. After the Facebook Live, we'll post the answers just in case you missed it!
Share your expertise as part of our Career Coaching program — we’re looking for volunteers who have a background in Human Resources or Career Planning! Help other adults with job searching, resume writing, interview preparation and cover letters, and develop your interpersonal and leadership skills at the same time: https://calgarylibrary.ca/volunteer/caree r-coaching/
The Ultimate Summer Challenge continues! Treffrey Deerfoot, of the Siksika Nation, raised a tipi in the Blackfoot style in Fish Creek Library. You can visit the tipi until Aug. 31, and check out hundreds of other programs and six installations for kids, families, and teens at all Library locations.
https://calgarylibrary.ca/…/join-the-ul timate-summer-chall…/
Our service provider will be performing technical maintenance, starting at 8 am. During this time, access to the Library website, online catalogue and mobile apps may be intermittent. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Did you know that as you make your way up inside New Central Library, the floors get quieter? You’ll easily find a peaceful spot to read a book, study, write, and more. Read all 100 reasons to love the new Library: https://calgarylibrary.ca/…/100-reasons -to-love-new-centra…/
We wish we could be in two places at once — so many great special guests have just been added to our 11:00 am city-wide storytime on Love Your Library Day (Aug 18). Check it out: https://calgarylibrary.ca/love-your-libra ry/
Want to engage the community in artmaking as the Library’s new Artist in Residence? Applications for a Children’s Artist / Illustrator close Aug. 10: https://calgarylibrary.ca/in-residence… /artist-in-residence/
You’re invited! Join us at any Library location on Aug. 18 to celebrate Love Your Library Day. From 10 am to 2 pm, there will be family programming, refreshments and prizes: https://calgarylibrary.ca/love-your-libra ry/
Seton Library will have an Alouette III helicopter among the shelves when the south Library opens in early 2019. Get a sneak peek of how we got it into the building. Thanks to the Hangar Flight Museum for providing the decomissioned helicopter!
With Calgary Folk Fest this weekend, check out this list of music to borrow, by artists who have graced the stage in the past: https://calgary.bibliocommons.com/…/121 8364227_blast_from_t…
Have you started counting down the days to the opening of New Central Library yet? We have, and with these 100 reasons, it’ll be that much easier to count down the last 100 days: https://calgarylibrary.ca/…/100-reasons -to-love-new-centra…/
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation - CMLC has a special volunteer opportunity for New Central Library! We need your help to install Christian Moeller’s FISH, a piece of public art that consists of nearly 11,000 books. Volunteers who help install the thousands of books on the shelves will also receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the New Central Library before it opens to the public. Even better, volunteers will also have the opportunity to leave their mark on the art piece by writing a message in one of the books. Talk about bragging rights.
The complex work requires dedicated individuals to volunteer for 2-3 days on September 7-9, 2018. Want to volunteer? Apply at https://yycnewcentrallibrary.com/voluntee r Space is limited.
There's hundreds of free programs and six installations for kids, families and teens. Activities with our amazing community partners are happening at all 20 Library locations!
What’s your favourite part of the Library? On Love Your Library Day, celebrate how the Library has made a difference to you, learn about new programs and services, and enter to win prizes! It’s happening at all 20 locations on Saturday, Aug. 18: https://calgarylibrary.ca/love-your-libra ry/
Navigating the world of childcare can be difficult. Learn about your options, how to access subsidies, and questions to ask providers. http://bit.ly/2r57p4H
Join us for a fun filled afternoon of hands-on family friendly activities celebrating our heritage and history.
Have you met Libby, your new best friend? Your one-tap, library on-the-go app is here, and we have five reasons why you'll be downloading it today.
http://bit.ly/2tX2aq5
Flashback to our mini LEGO Calgary Stampede Parade. Which float are you most excited to see at this year's parade?
Find Calgary Public Library and Library Foundation Saturday mornings at East Village Junction. We're bringing new curated books, the Library Store, and tons of activities for the whole family! Storytime starts at 11:00 am, so grab a seat early!
Wonderful library. Has come a long way since I moved here in 2009. Now with my young daughter we have enjoued the free baby programs and now look forward to our next haul of stories to read together! The new playareas at Fish Creek and Shawnessey are a wonderful space when outside isn't the best. Keep up the great work and we look forward to exploring the new central location!
We went down to play on Engine 23 and listen to Fireman Mitch read stories. The experience was great. He was fantastic! The girls had so much fun. The library staff was all so wonderful. Definitely will make the trip down to the library again.
We love our library! We visit our local Village Square branch weekly, and just love it!
My oldest enjoys drop in story time on Thursdays, and my youngest the baby rhyme time. Thank you for offering such wonderful programs to families like mine.
Was in the theatre on 2nd floor for Reeves College Grad ceremony, very nice spot, perfect for the event!!
Veronica at the Fish Creek Library was so helpful! It's been a while since I had been over there & she was so patient and kind while answering questions & walking me through everything... We're lucky to have such a great spot & people like her in the community!
The staff, facilities and programming are world class. I’m continually impressed with the Calgary libraries. I’m more connected with my community then I’ve ever been, thanks to more frequent visits with my little girl.
Our family loves the Quarry Park library! The play area is ideal for our young children. Such a friendly place, the staff are helpful and so kind. The Read and Play kits are a blast! We also go to the Shawnessy library from time to time. We always have a good experience
Its really a great place to learn,have lots fun n off course activities not only for my son for me as well.All i want to say very benifical n very fruitful havin a very cooperative staff n a good source of getting knowledge for everyone.
If you want to be an author, reading a book by JK Rowlings or John Grisham, is like taking a master's class in writing. You can also discuss your work with the Writer in Residence, or attend a free seminar. The Calgary Public Library is a great place for writers! Thank-you.
I wanted to paint in Acrylic and when I saw the materials available at the art supply I knew I was over my head. I have 2 books from the library, which we borrowed in Canmore, though we are Calgary members, and extended the loan twice because the books had so much well written information that I have used them while I work on my project: painting a design on an Adirondack chair for a City of Airdrie fundraiser..
I love my library. Amazing selection of books, audio, movies, music... everything you can ask for. Great catalogue system, great services and so convenient. Thanks CPL, keep up the good work!
I just wanted to say how amazing I think our libraries here in Calgary are!! I am taking a course right now and the textbook is all online - which I am struggling with (I don't like to read textbooks on a screen!) I was considering buying the expensive book when I remembered to check the library... and you had it! That was yesterday (Friday) afternoon, and here it is sitting in my lap (Saturday morning). The book was transferred downtown to my branch in less than 24 hours. It really surprised me and made me appreciate how lucky we are here in Calgary! Thank you:)
I have never...i mean never been exposed so such a wide library system that works...since i met CPL,i stopped buying books and if i do or did,i donate to them to CPL lovingly...cos the system has never disappointed us.....i have read more books here than i have in my life...thumbs up Staff of CPL....
All you need when you're just new in Calgary, access lots of resources through the Library. A great place to bring your children.
Very disappointed in the Fish Creek library. I took my 9 and 6 year old children and let them look around to pick some books out. When I came over to check on them, I found my son with an iPad; playing a game... that the librarian has given to him. Not impressed; when I am trying to teach my children to love books and reading and they have enough struggle of screens being pushed in their faces. I did write a complaint but no one got back to me. Just shows the state of our society, the love of reading is sadly becoming a lost art.
The library this days is not the same as before already. It's like your in the shopping mall now. What I mean is that its so noisy, even the workers at the library is talking to loud to each other. They don't know how to whisper any more.. its so disappointing. We love the library but we can't stay longer to read books because its not a quite place to enjoy reading your book.
The Central & Memorial Park locations are dangerous for staff and patrons. I have seen fist fights take place in both locations. A staff member was punched in the face at Memorial Park by a patron! What steps is the library taking to ensure the safety of it's staff? They are working in a war zone! People who are drunk and on drugs, people with weapons - yes I've seen knives pulled! Ever since the city allowed self-registration it's been downhill. Staff ban people, but then they just self-register and come back. A total disgrace! Protect your staff Bill Ptacek, protect your patrons.
Wonderful library. Has come a long way since I moved here in 2009. Now with my young daughter we have enjoued the free baby programs and now look forward to our next haul of stories to read together! The new playareas at Fish Creek and Shawnessey are a wonderful space when outside isn't the best. Keep up the great work and we look forward to exploring the new central location!
We went down to play on Engine 23 and listen to Fireman Mitch read stories. The experience was great. He was fantastic! The girls had so much fun. The library staff was all so wonderful. Definitely will make the trip down to the library again.
We love our library! We visit our local Village Square branch weekly, and just love it!
My oldest enjoys drop in story time on Thursdays, and my youngest the baby rhyme time. Thank you for offering such wonderful programs to families like mine.
Was in the theatre on 2nd floor for Reeves College Grad ceremony, very nice spot, perfect for the event!!
Veronica at the Fish Creek Library was so helpful! It's been a while since I had been over there & she was so patient and kind while answering questions & walking me through everything... We're lucky to have such a great spot & people like her in the community!
The staff, facilities and programming are world class. I’m continually impressed with the Calgary libraries. I’m more connected with my community then I’ve ever been, thanks to more frequent visits with my little girl.
Our family loves the Quarry Park library! The play area is ideal for our young children. Such a friendly place, the staff are helpful and so kind. The Read and Play kits are a blast! We also go to the Shawnessy library from time to time. We always have a good experience
Its really a great place to learn,have lots fun n off course activities not only for my son for me as well.All i want to say very benifical n very fruitful havin a very cooperative staff n a good source of getting knowledge for everyone.
If you want to be an author, reading a book by JK Rowlings or John Grisham, is like taking a master's class in writing. You can also discuss your work with the Writer in Residence, or attend a free seminar. The Calgary Public Library is a great place for writers! Thank-you.
I wanted to paint in Acrylic and when I saw the materials available at the art supply I knew I was over my head. I have 2 books from the library, which we borrowed in Canmore, though we are Calgary members, and extended the loan twice because the books had so much well written information that I have used them while I work on my project: painting a design on an Adirondack chair for a City of Airdrie fundraiser..
I love my library. Amazing selection of books, audio, movies, music... everything you can ask for. Great catalogue system, great services and so convenient. Thanks CPL, keep up the good work!
I just wanted to say how amazing I think our libraries here in Calgary are!! I am taking a course right now and the textbook is all online - which I am struggling with (I don't like to read textbooks on a screen!) I was considering buying the expensive book when I remembered to check the library... and you had it! That was yesterday (Friday) afternoon, and here it is sitting in my lap (Saturday morning). The book was transferred downtown to my branch in less than 24 hours. It really surprised me and made me appreciate how lucky we are here in Calgary! Thank you:)
I have never...i mean never been exposed so such a wide library system that works...since i met CPL,i stopped buying books and if i do or did,i donate to them to CPL lovingly...cos the system has never disappointed us.....i have read more books here than i have in my life...thumbs up Staff of CPL....
All you need when you're just new in Calgary, access lots of resources through the Library. A great place to bring your children.
Very disappointed in the Fish Creek library. I took my 9 and 6 year old children and let them look around to pick some books out. When I came over to check on them, I found my son with an iPad; playing a game... that the librarian has given to him. Not impressed; when I am trying to teach my children to love books and reading and they have enough struggle of screens being pushed in their faces. I did write a complaint but no one got back to me. Just shows the state of our society, the love of reading is sadly becoming a lost art.
The library this days is not the same as before already. It's like your in the shopping mall now. What I mean is that its so noisy, even the workers at the library is talking to loud to each other. They don't know how to whisper any more.. its so disappointing. We love the library but we can't stay longer to read books because its not a quite place to enjoy reading your book.
The Central & Memorial Park locations are dangerous for staff and patrons. I have seen fist fights take place in both locations. A staff member was punched in the face at Memorial Park by a patron! What steps is the library taking to ensure the safety of it's staff? They are working in a war zone! People who are drunk and on drugs, people with weapons - yes I've seen knives pulled! Ever since the city allowed self-registration it's been downhill. Staff ban people, but then they just self-register and come back. A total disgrace! Protect your staff Bill Ptacek, protect your patrons.
Wonderful library. Has come a long way since I moved here in 2009. Now with my young daughter we have enjoued the free baby programs and now look forward to our next haul of stories to read together! The new playareas at Fish Creek and Shawnessey are a wonderful space when outside isn't the best. Keep up the great work and we look forward to exploring the new central location!
We went down to play on Engine 23 and listen to Fireman Mitch read stories. The experience was great. He was fantastic! The girls had so much fun. The library staff was all so wonderful. Definitely will make the trip down to the library again.
We love our library! We visit our local Village Square branch weekly, and just love it!
My oldest enjoys drop in story time on Thursdays, and my youngest the baby rhyme time. Thank you for offering such wonderful programs to families like mine.
Was in the theatre on 2nd floor for Reeves College Grad ceremony, very nice spot, perfect for the event!!
Veronica at the Fish Creek Library was so helpful! It's been a while since I had been over there & she was so patient and kind while answering questions & walking me through everything... We're lucky to have such a great spot & people like her in the community!
The staff, facilities and programming are world class. I’m continually impressed with the Calgary libraries. I’m more connected with my community then I’ve ever been, thanks to more frequent visits with my little girl.
Our family loves the Quarry Park library! The play area is ideal for our young children. Such a friendly place, the staff are helpful and so kind. The Read and Play kits are a blast! We also go to the Shawnessy library from time to time. We always have a good experience
Its really a great place to learn,have lots fun n off course activities not only for my son for me as well.All i want to say very benifical n very fruitful havin a very cooperative staff n a good source of getting knowledge for everyone.
If you want to be an author, reading a book by JK Rowlings or John Grisham, is like taking a master's class in writing. You can also discuss your work with the Writer in Residence, or attend a free seminar. The Calgary Public Library is a great place for writers! Thank-you.
I wanted to paint in Acrylic and when I saw the materials available at the art supply I knew I was over my head. I have 2 books from the library, which we borrowed in Canmore, though we are Calgary members, and extended the loan twice because the books had so much well written information that I have used them while I work on my project: painting a design on an Adirondack chair for a City of Airdrie fundraiser..
I love my library. Amazing selection of books, audio, movies, music... everything you can ask for. Great catalogue system, great services and so convenient. Thanks CPL, keep up the good work!
I just wanted to say how amazing I think our libraries here in Calgary are!! I am taking a course right now and the textbook is all online - which I am struggling with (I don't like to read textbooks on a screen!) I was considering buying the expensive book when I remembered to check the library... and you had it! That was yesterday (Friday) afternoon, and here it is sitting in my lap (Saturday morning). The book was transferred downtown to my branch in less than 24 hours. It really surprised me and made me appreciate how lucky we are here in Calgary! Thank you:)
I have never...i mean never been exposed so such a wide library system that works...since i met CPL,i stopped buying books and if i do or did,i donate to them to CPL lovingly...cos the system has never disappointed us.....i have read more books here than i have in my life...thumbs up Staff of CPL....
All you need when you're just new in Calgary, access lots of resources through the Library. A great place to bring your children.
Very disappointed in the Fish Creek library. I took my 9 and 6 year old children and let them look around to pick some books out. When I came over to check on them, I found my son with an iPad; playing a game... that the librarian has given to him. Not impressed; when I am trying to teach my children to love books and reading and they have enough struggle of screens being pushed in their faces. I did write a complaint but no one got back to me. Just shows the state of our society, the love of reading is sadly becoming a lost art.
The library this days is not the same as before already. It's like your in the shopping mall now. What I mean is that its so noisy, even the workers at the library is talking to loud to each other. They don't know how to whisper any more.. its so disappointing. We love the library but we can't stay longer to read books because its not a quite place to enjoy reading your book.
The Central & Memorial Park locations are dangerous for staff and patrons. I have seen fist fights take place in both locations. A staff member was punched in the face at Memorial Park by a patron! What steps is the library taking to ensure the safety of it's staff? They are working in a war zone! People who are drunk and on drugs, people with weapons - yes I've seen knives pulled! Ever since the city allowed self-registration it's been downhill. Staff ban people, but then they just self-register and come back. A total disgrace! Protect your staff Bill Ptacek, protect your patrons.