The Library’s Extraordinary Volunteers

The Library’s Extraordinary Volunteers

On April 15, we celebrated the 75th National Volunteer Week with the Library’s 42nd annual Volunteer Recognition Event. The theme of the week was “volunteers are the roots of strong communities,” a sentiment with which Calgary Public Library—and Calgarians—passionately agree.

Here at the Library, 2,511 Calgarians give back more than 56,980 hours of volunteer effort annually. Our volunteers’ time adds an economic value of $1,538,590 to our libraries and communities every year! Their efforts allow the Library to offer more programs, in more locations, more often, to so many more Calgarians. Library volunteers give their time, energy, and talent—and our many patrons benefit.

Janet Hutchinson, Chair of the Calgary Public Library Board, welcomed the overflowing crowd of volunteers who packed the John Dutton theatre. “On behalf of the Board, let me say a heartfelt thank you to each volunteer for your outstanding contributions to all of the Library’s programs. And when I say thank you, I am not just speaking on behalf of the organization. I am also speaking for hundreds of thousands of Calgarians who have increased access to literacy, learning, and an improved quality of life because of you.”

Library CEO Bill Ptacek paid tribute to one of the Library’s very first volunteers, a member of the Library’s own “famous five”. In 1974, Becky Lathrop started volunteering for the Library’s Homebound Readers program. “Becky Lathrop was known as unflappable, warm, and supportive—one of those great authentic souls who knew what it meant to bring the Library into the community,” Bill said. Becky Lathrop passed away on March 8 at the age of 90.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi presented the Emerging Leader Award to sisters Alisha (15) and Inaara (14) Ebrahim. They proudly represent the more than 1,140 young people who annually volunteer with the Library. Acknowledging that volunteering for the Library means that homework sometimes winds up being completed late into the evening, they say they can’t complain, “because the Library has given us so much, we wouldn’t have it any other way.” The Calgary Public Library Foundation generously donated $250 each to help Alisha and Inaara jumpstart their education fund.

Youth volunteers are integral to the work of the Library. In fact, 45% of our volunteers are between 12 and 17 years old. 2016’s Youth Speaker, Shovon Das, a Grade 12 student, shared his experience, explaining how volunteering gave him new skills and helped him overcome his shyness. “Volunteering made me a more confident, charismatic, and engaging individual," he exclaimed with great humour.

Since her first program in 2013, Darby has been the perfect Library volunteer: non-judgmental, patient, attentive, an extremely good listener, caring, and always on time for her assignment. She’s also been known to fall asleep when read to. Darby, a Golden Doodle, along with the equally remarkable Patti Johnston, volunteers for the Story PALS program. The Pet Access League Society (PALS) pairs kids who are struggling to read out loud with four-legged volunteers who provide safe, calm, non-judgmental, and fuzzy ears.

The John Dutton Volunteer of the Year Award seeks to recognize an extraordinary individual whose service is exemplary. Marian Erb, a gregarious, smiling, optimistic, and passionate person, was the recipient of the award. Marian said, "when I first came to Calgary, the first place I felt at home was the Library." Her enthusiasm for volunteering is boundless. She remarked, “I feel so lucky to do what I love in a place that I love, the Library.” Standing onstage beside Mayor Nenshi, Marian was very surprised to learn that she would join His Worship as a minifigure in the Lego model of the New Central Library!

Marian Erb, the John Dutton Volunteer of the Year, displays "Lego Marian".

Other outstanding volunteers were:

• Linda Lathrop was recognized for her 10 years of volunteer service for the Library.

• Betty Giles, our Milestone Award recipient, was honoured for 30 years of voluntary service to the Library.

• Theresa and Dean Cassidy, the wife and husband team behind the Library’s mascot Curious the Chameleon, received the 2016 Community Spirit Award.

• Doug Leisch received the 2016 Literacy Support – Digital Award.

• Daniel Park received the 2016 Literacy Support – Numeracy Award.

• Rachelle Dueck received the 2016 Literacy Support – Reading and Writing Award.

• Barbara Mathies received the 2016 Professional Support Award.

• Doreen Richards received the 2016 Foundation Award.

• Jon McBurnie received the 2016 Language Coaching Award.

Read more about Marian Erb in the May–June issue of Library Connect!

Library Cards for Indigenous Communities

On April 29, at the Alberta Library Conference in Jasper, Danielle Larivee, Minister of Municipal Affairs, lived up to the Shake It Up! theme when she shared that Alberta libraries are now able to expand their services to include Indigenous communities. This means that Calgary Public Library, effective immediately, will offer Library cards to members of the Tsuut’ina Nation specifically, and to any First Nations visitors to the Library. For details, please refer to the April 21 email from Mark Asberg, Director, Service Delivery. If you don’t have a copy, please ask your Manager.

For more information, see Sharepoint > Service Design > Public Documents > Indigenous Engagement and Services

Calgary Local Music Library

CJSW and Calgary Public Library have teamed up to bring Calgarians an aural and visual history of Calgary's local music!

From May to September, the Local Music Library will travel between several community libraries. This installation consists of a curated CD collection and a listening station, accompanied by illustrations, photography, and historical information. Anyone with a Library card can check out the CDs.

We will be launching the Local Music Library at Memorial Park on May 7 at 2 pm, featuring musical performances by L.T. Leif, Monty, and the legendary Juno Award winner Art Bergmann!

Launching the Local Music Library in the park is an important first step in developing fresh, vibrant, relevant programming at Memorial Park Library. Set in a beautiful park in the midst of a very young and urban community, this library is an icon in Calgary. Over 60% of the area’s residents are 25–40 years old. We’re investigating the possibility of changing the programming and services at the library to have it become more integral to that neighbourhood. With the help of City Councillor Evan Wooley, Library staff members are connecting with community associations and organizations in the area to find out how the facility can best be used.

The Local Music Library will be at the following libraries:

Library Exhibit Date

Memorial Park May

Crowfoot June

Nicholls Family July

Saddletowne August

Central September

Shawnessy October

Signal Hill November

Southwood December

Seen at Fish Creek’s Early Learning Centre

A 3-year-old boy took little plastic monkeys from the toy bin, flipped the bin over to make a bed, and started singing the “five little monkeys song” quietly to himself.

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed,

One fell off and bumped his head.

Mama called the Doctor and the Doctor said,

"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!'

This is exactly what our Early Learning Centre is for: children singing songs, telling stories, re-enacting events in their world, practicing numeracy skills, playing, and more!

The Bulletin Board

Micheline Maylor, the Library’s 2016 Author in Residence

Micheline Maylor, award-winning poet, editor, and Calgary’s newest Poet Laureate, will serve as Calgary Public Library’s 2016 Author in Residence from September to December.

Gail Bowen

Joanne Kilbourn fans rejoice as Gail Bowen launches the latest book in her Kilbourn series, What's Left Behind. A gripping mystery with a social conscience, this book offers all the thrills and chills we've come to anticipate from the Queen of Canadian crime fiction.

May 5, 7 pm | Central Library

Sticks, Strings, and Mythical Things

Families can enjoy a performance by renowned harpist Gianetta Baril as she brings to life the beauty of nature and the ancient Greek myth of Ariadne and Theseus through word and music.

May 9, 10:30 am | Central Library

Bill Ptacek, Revolutionizing Community, at TEDxCalgary (r)Evolutions

Breathing new life into how Calgarians access knowledge, information, culture, and stories, Bill Ptacek, CEO of the Calgary Public Library, is revolutionizing a beloved 104-year old institution to create the best public library in the world . . . one community library at a time.

May 7, Noon | Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary | Tickets at tedxcalgary.com

We Need To Hear From You!

When the Library conducted the 2014 Employee Engagement Survey, we committed to make the survey an ongoing and regular part of our work. It is time to do the survey again. Perhaps more importantly, it is time to see if any of the actions that were taken as a result of the survey have made a difference. As with the 2014 survey, we need broad participation. We need to hear from you! As part of an ongoing effort to create an engaging workplace for all staff, by May 17, please be sure to complete the confidential online Employee Engagement Survey in your inbox, which was sent April 26.

Watch for coverage of the Nicholls Family Library in the May 13 Issue of The Bulletin.