What a Year!
- thelibrarybulletin
- Jan 6, 2017
- 6 min read
What a Year!
“You ARE the best library in the world, as a Calgarian I am very fortunate! Thank you for all you do!” –Library Member & Donor
Engine 23 has come to symbolize the many possibilities that lie ahead for Calgary Public Library. It’s not about a fire truck, but rather creating not-to-be-missed offerings for Calgarians. And when 320 kids from across Calgary—including just-arrived refugee families—settled in for the Engine 23 Holiday Storytime with Mayor Nenshi on December 18, we knew the dream to create a best public library for the world space had become a reality.
Other Library spaces that came to life in 2016 included Early Literacy Centres at Fish Creek and Village Square libraries. The capacity crowd gathered for the grand opening of the Nicholls Family Library celebrated the new light and airy space in the heart of Westbrook CTrain Station. The new Quarry Park Library in the Remington YMCA reinforced our vibrant relationship with both the City and the YMCA. Imperial Oil joined in with their support of the Read and Play Early Literacy Kits.
2016 has not been without its challenges as Calgary experienced record unemployment. The Library was there for Calgarians with résumé and interview workshops, as well the Survive and Thrive after Job Loss event offered in partnership with the Chartered Public Accountants of Canada and covered by local and national media.
What was most striking this year, however, was how Calgary Public Library staff rose to the challenge of offering Calgarians more. More programs, in more places, in more ways, to more people. We reached out to Syrian refugees at the Margaret Chisholm Resettlement Centre. We visited 14,306 children during 694 visits to daycares. Our two new Book Trucks quite literally took the Library into new communities. And we worked with our colleagues and the Province to offer—for the first time—free Library cards to Indigenous communities.
By the end of 2016, we had completed shelving upgrades at 12 of our 18 community libraries and undertook the complete renovation of Nose Hill Library … remaining open throughout!
And Calgary noticed! Visits to the Library continue to rise from 6.2 million in 2015. Library memberships grew by more than 145,000 in 2016. These numbers alone are testaments to the hard work, dedication, and ingenuity of Calgary Public Library employees.
“People have really noticed that we’re out in the community, that we’re bringing those services, that we’re doing so much more—but we’re just scratching the surface, and we’re just going to get better and better.” –Bill Ptacek
January 12: what is the “!” all about?
On January 12, Calgary Public Library staff will gather in the John Dutton Theatre for an Exclusive Employee Event.
In order to accommodate everyone, the day has been divided into three sessions of two hours each. According to our registration numbers, we are expecting about 300 staff at the 10:00 a.m.–Noon session, another 300 staff at the 2:00–4:00 p.m. session, and the remaining staff at the evening session from 6:00–8:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided at each session. Thanks to all for registering prior to the deadline!
We know you’re wondering…
A few staff members have asked for details about the event and, while we want to keep the content of the day something of a surprise, we can share that it will be a positive and uplifting event.
Picture yourself surrounded by Library colleagues as we celebrate the Library’s 105-year history and imagine our shared journey towards the New Central Library and beyond.
Get ready to be inspired and to be challenged as we look at what it takes to be the best public library for the world. Join us on January 12 to find out more!
Introducing Melanie Kolbeins
Melanie Kolbeins’ ten years at the Library have flown by due to the opportunity to work with so many great, talented people, along with the varied and interesting work. She has delivered programs onsite and in the community to babies, teens, and beyond. Delivering these programs has been a great way for Melanie to get to know our members, including those belonging to vulnerable populations. After starting as a Shelver and working as a Library Assistant for many years, Melanie became the Library Supervisor for Nose Hill Library this past April.
“I was thrilled to be able to be a part of Nose Hill Library’s transition into its current, spectacular incarnation, with more computer and study space. Come check it out!”
Melanie was initially attracted to a career at the Library because of our commitment to lifelong learning and the right of all Calgarians to access the Library’s free programs and services.
She appreciates that recent developments—such as free Library cards and a collection that has both expanded digitally and opened up to wider provincial use—have made the Library more accessible than ever.
Melanie jokes that she’s known as a “clothes horse,” but her true passion is for genealogy and history. Currently, she’s trying to track a great-grand uncle’s movements in World War I. Melanie finds The Alberta Library system (TAL) invaluable in her endeavours, and uses it frequently.
Both Melanie and her husband enjoy the DVD collections, as well as Overdrive, Zinio, and Flipster.
Giving While We Shopped
Collections’ Annual Silent Auction raised $2,500 for the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter, making a difference for many families. Thank you to everyone who donated items and bid this year. A very special thanks to the staff in Collections, whose hard work not only makes this enjoyable event possible, but also helps Calgary families in the process.
“I love the opportunity to do my Christmas shopping while giving back to the community.” –Pamela Hodgson, Central Library
A New Kind of Library
The Great Plains Pop-Out Library
The Uni onsite at the Great West Plains Recreation Facility
The brand new Great West Plains Recreation Facility, which opened in September 2016, allows families to play hockey and skate. Located in an isolated industrial area, the facility is state of the art but offers few activities for kids who are waiting for ice time. With no entertainment close at hand, kids often run around with nothing to do while parents wait on the benches.
Service Design noticed that weeknights at the Great West Plains Recreation Facility are very busy, with parents, caregivers, and younger and older siblings waiting for players to come off the ice. Noting an opportunity for outreach, Service Design and Fish Creek Library developed a partnership that brings the Library into the heart of this hockey complex.
The project utilizes a mobile bookcase purchased from a not-for-profit called The Uni Project, a non-profit who build fold-out portable bookcases for use in public spaces. On weeknights at 5:00 p.m., Library staff arrive, roll the mobile bookcase out from the storage closet, and open it up in the lobby. Kids are intrigued by the unit, which unfolds to reveal the collection of books inside. The children sit on benches and read, which attracts the attention of other kids. Staff also rove and let parents and kids know that they can read books while they wait or sign them out to take home. Is it any wonder that hockey books have been extremely popular?
This outreach is a perfect cold winter option for the Uni—our mobile bookcase. During the summer months, Service Design hopes to take the unit to special events with The Book Truck to create outdoor reading rooms.
Questions about this project?
Please contact Jackie Flowers in Service Design at Jackie.Flowers@calgarylibrary.ca.
The Library Makes New Friends!
This month, the Foundation is emailing members and inviting them to show their love for the Library by becoming a Friend. While the email encourages patrons to donate online, staff may see donations increase in community libraries.
Thank you for your support. The Foundation has set a goal of raising $250,000 by April 1 (that’s $1 for each new member since 2015)!
TIP:
The procedure for accepting a donation remains the same
Process donations on the till with the “donation” button
If donations are over $10, have the patron fill out a donation envelope and staple a copy of the till tape to the envelope (receipts will be sent out within two weeks)
For donations under $10, or anonymous donations, print a copy of the till tape
Send all till tapes and donation envelopes to the Foundation
Thank members for their donation
Bill’s Book Café
featuring Wordfest’s Shelley Youngblut
Bill's Book Café is a success! The events have been extremely popular with members, who are eager to enjoy how it brings book discussion to a new level.
At the next Bill's Book Café, join Bill and Wordfest General Director Shelley Youngblut for a lively discussion of The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood.
Both staff and members are invited to read the book, and come prepared for a rich and lively conversation.
Memorial Park Library
Friday, January 13, 7:00–8:30 p.m.
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