It's a Crime Not to Read
- thelibrarybulletin
- Jul 22, 2016
- 4 min read
It's a Crime Not to Read
An officer's personalized Library card
In partnership with the Calgary Police Service, Calgary Public Library delivers the It’s a Crime Not to Read program to 21 public and separate elementary schools across Calgary. This award-winning program brings the best of the Library’s children’s collection to 1,500+ grade 1-4 students and has local police officers share picture books with, and answer questions from, students. This program takes place once a month throughout the school year, uniting students, families, teachers, police officers, and Library staff over the joy of reading.
The partnering police officers planned some amazing things for the kids: visiting with the mounted unit (police horses!), checking out police vehicles, an ambulance, and three fire trucks; visiting with Otis, a four-footed member of the K9 unit; getting police swag—such as K9 calendars—and 911 operations swag like mood pencils and magnets; meeting Hawk, the victim assistance dog; trying on a super-heavy tactical unit external vest; and, touring YouthLink (the CPS’ youth interpretive centre).
Hawk, the victim assistance dog
Touring YouthLink (the CPS’ youth interpretive centre)
As a thank you to the police officers for their commitment, we gave them a personalized lt’s a Crime Not to Read Library card featuring drawings and comments from last year’s program evaluations. The officers also received their own gift book—a student-autographed copy of their favourite lt’s a Crime Not to Read silly picture book that they shared with the kids.
Some of the officer's personalized Library cards
Hear from some of the kids themselves! Scroll through the gallery below to see some of the students' end-of-year drawing forms..
We Recommend
Patrons are responding enthusiastically to We Recommend!
I love We Recommend! It makes it so much easier for me to find a book that I want to read. When I go to the Library, it is usually with my kids, so we spend a lot of time in the kids’ section and a couple of minutes looking for a book for me. I always find something great in the We Recommend section in very little time. You've made it easier for this busy mom to find time to read. Keep up the great work!
Just a note for the people who choose the books—thank you! Especially the children's books. I usually go to the Fish Creek branch. I've really enjoyed the white bins put out by the play areas, so that I can grab books and take a bit of a look. And then while I'm trying to manage the two kids at checkout, I can easily grab a good book off the "recommended/new" shelves. Keep up the great work!
A May 24 snapshot of We Recommend shows that it has grown to 9,000 items. Plot remains the most popular category, with 79% of the books checked out. People is 75% checked out, Place is 74% out, and Prose is 72% out.
The We Recommend bookmarks are proving to be very popular as well, and mean a lot to patrons. Thanks to staff who take the time to add their comments and insert the bookmarks into the collection offerings.
Playaway Launchpad Tablets
Playaway Launchpad tablets have arrived, animating the school-aged spaces adjacent to early learning centres! These devices are for 5-10 year-olds, and contain eight pre-loaded apps with math, science, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) activities. We’re currently piloting these interactive and educational devices at Fish Creek and Central libraries, and at Forest Lawn Library during School’s Out All Summer programming.
Sun Life Financial Arts + Culture Pass
The Sun Life Financial Arts + Culture Pass program has a brand new look!
You can find the Staff FAQ for the Sun Life Financial Arts + Culture Pass in SharePoint, under Customer Service > Community Services > Public Documents > Arts and Cultures Pass > Staff FAQ
Staff Are Invited
Don’t forget to RSVP to this special event on August 2, honouring Sun Life Financial and the program’s more than 40 partners. Watch the August 5 Bulletin for photos from the event.
Stonehouse Publishing at Memorial Park Library
Stonehouse, a new Alberta publisher, recently launched their first five books at Memorial Park Library. Not only are they a publisher from our own province, but they also specialize in literary fiction that often focuses on both historical and Albertan stories.
Book Club Bags
The new Book Club bags are a hit with patrons, and this year we’re testing YA and Tween-oriented Book Club bags. We’ve also ordered more classic titles to meet the requests of book clubs.
Newspaper Direct becomes PressReader
On August 8, Newspaper Direct Press Display, one of the Library’s most popular e-resources, will change its name to PressReader. While the PressReader interface may look a little different than it has in the past, the same great content and image-rich layout will be available, with over 5,000 publications from 100 countries in over 60 languages. PressReader will continue the tradition of improved yet simple navigation within a browser, a method which the majority of our patrons currently use.
As Newspaper Direct had over 375,000 uses by our patrons last year, we know that PressReader will have an avid following. In fact, we have had patrons asking about the new version and when it would arrive. That’s why it’s important that you are aware, in advance, of this transition.
One of the key features of PressReader is that patrons can download the PressReader app onto their mobile devices and read at their convenience. Patrons will also have the option to create their own account and curate their newsfeed and, should they wish, share stories and opinions through their social media channels.
A webinar through which staff can gain a better understanding of PressReader’s capabilities will be scheduled shortly. Watch upcoming issues of The Bulletin for more details.
Family Fun Raffle
Brighten up your summer by purchasing your Family Fun Raffle ticket today!
Visit libraryraffle.ca to get your ticket.
The winning package includes:
4 day passes to Calaway Park
Children's Adirondack Chair
2 Children's Shirts
A selection of 4 adult books
A selection of 5 children's books
You have a 1 in 250 chance to win!
The winner will be drawn at the Calgary Public Library Foundation’s office on July 28, 2016. You do not have to be present to win. The winner will be notified same day.
Value: $508.00 License number: 438712
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