Calgary Public Library's New Central Library

[Carolyn Ryder]

Planning for the new Central Library in East Village is underway and we want you to shape its future. Tell us what matters most to you about the New Central Library and the larger library system. Do you use the Community Heritage and Family History Collection? Do you have suggestions for a place for heritage in the New Central Library? Now's your chance to take part in our online survey and have a chance to win a prize. Help us inspire the next chapter of Calgary's libraries

[newsposter]

The Calgary Public Library, and particularly gems like the Community Heritage and Family History section and the Memorial Park Library are important to the heritage community. The public engagement on the new Central library and the library system in general continues here:

http://calgarynewcentrallibrary.ca/

Dig Deep! Phase 2 Public Engagement Events

We are thrilled at the interest shown and input from Calgarians in the first phase of public engagement, “Think Big!”.

More than 12,000 Calgarians participated in a survey either through calgarynewcentrallibrary.ca or in person at more than 100 events throughout the summer.

What Calgarians have told us so far has influenced the next phase of engagement, “Dig Deep!”. Using priority rankings from the survey, detailed comments provided by respondents and research on library trends, four themes emerged to help further the discussion this fall:

- Awesome Spaces and Virtual Places
- Diverse Collections and Inspiring Resources
- Powerhouse Programs and Signature Services
- The Role of the Library in Complete Communities


Please help us uncover the potential in each of these areas by attending one of five family-friendly, free events:



Saturday, Sept. 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Symon's Valley United Church, 38 Kincora Rise NW

Thursday, Sept. 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
First Alliance Church, 12345 40 St. SE

Saturday, Oct. 13 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Dalhousie Community Association, 5432 Dalhart Road NW

Tuesday, Oct. 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Cedarbrae Community Association, 11024 Oakfield Dr. SW

Wednesday, Oct. 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Pineridge Community Association, 6024 Rundelhorn Dr. NE



Join us at any one of these drop-in events and your name will be entered to win a Kobo e-reader!* Light refreshments will be provided.

*Draw will occur after the last session.

[newsposter]

The New Central Library project made a key report at a City Council committee meeting on February 19, 2013. It is interesting to note that in the public engagement "Local History and Heritage" emerged as a top five priority (tied for 4th place with Civic Landmark). Other top five priorities were (1) Lifelong Learning (2) Information Experts (3) Arts & Culture.

Many CHI visitors are fans of the "Local History" section. In the cover report to Council the CPL says that one function of the libary will be "stewardship of community history and civic identity". In the Master Program document that was presented, one aspect of the library is "Community Memory and Local History. The New Central Library will provide access to the age-old continuum of knowledge as well as the ongoing history of the City of Calgary. Many users will bring a sense of community and personal history. As a counterpoint to its global informational resources, the Library will celebrate the uniqueness of the setting and the history of the City of Calgary..."

These documents are accessible at:
http://calgarynewcentrallibrary.ca/

And the Council Committee report is here:
http://agendaminutes.calgary.ca/sirepub ... pe=MINUTES