City’s public library hosting event to promote reading
‘Love Your Library Day’ to be held at every city branch
The Calgary Public Library is hoping to help both children and adults rediscover a love of reading.
On Saturday, every library will host the first Love Your Library Day. Through a variety of activities and story times, the aim is to increase people’s appreciation for the books, programs and other services offered at the 20 libraries around the city.
“It’s also a chance to invite people who may not be as familiar with the library, or maybe it’s been a while since they’ve been there, to come back,” said Calgary Public Library spokeswoman Mary Kapusta.
“You can have a library card in your wallet and think you’re an active member, but sometimes it’s important to remember we only count people if you’ve used our programs and services in the past three years.”
The role of libraries in the community is constantly evolving. While books are still an important part of libraries, they’ve also become centres with free printing, meeting rooms, online courses and downloadable tutorials.
“It’s a good time to get out of your backyard and visit a different location ... There might be a bit of a library crawl, as it were. But we also know people are really loyal to their libraries,” said Kapusta.
Calgary Public Library doesn’t host many other system-wide events but, following recent renovations in all of the libraries, they wanted to invite people back. Average attendance at the libraries each weekday can reach 20,000, so Kapusta is hoping to see about that many people show up on Saturday.
“This is really a chance to have an open house ... This idea of a citywide storytime, we’ve never done anything like that and we’re excited to try,” said Kapusta.
The storytimes at each library feature a guest reader, which includes local bloggers, influencers and politicians. With henna tattoos, face painting and live music, the libraries will be the place to visit.
One of the guest readers will be Kristin Davies, who is the Calgary fashion and lifestyle blogger known as Kiki Davies. Her blog, Pursuing Pretty, features the hashtag Motherhood Inspired.
She’ll be reading Pig the Star, a children’s book about a pug named Pig, at the Crowfoot library.
“I have two young boys who have a love of reading because they’re only four and six right now, and I’m a teacher for the Calgary Board of Education, so those are two big reasons why I think literacy is really important,” said Davies.
“It’ll be pretty cool for them to see me reading to a group of people because it’ll be special for them to think that their mom is cool.”
Davies hopes parents will bring their children to seek out a good book together, which can help foster a love of reading.