DOWNTOWN LIBRARY OPENS ‘SPECTACULAR’ NEW BUILDING
Roaming librarians will give visitors information and assistance
Decades in the making, Calgary’s long-awaited $245-million downtown library opened to the public Thursday, boasting 240,000 square feet of spectacular architecture, four floors of learning spaces and 450,000 new books and collections.
“It really is quite spectacular — a cultural hub of learning and innovation,” said Bill Ptacek, CEO of Calgary Public Library.
“It will be the experiences that people have in this space that will determine if they keep coming back ... we want that to include elements of discovery, mystery and wonder.
“And every floor has that, multiple ranges of experiences that speak to different people in different ways.”
From the reflective, hexagonal exterior to the arching entranceway, the wide-open, brightly lit main floor takes Calgarians on a journey through collections, learning labs and meeting spaces aimed at a variety of interests and demographics.
The first floor includes an entry with general collections and a Performance Hall for author readings or speaker series.
The first of many works by First Nations artists is painted at the entrance wall, just before the metal bison sculpture of letters, highlighting Indigenous languages.
One flight of stairs and padded reading steps lead you to a 12,000-square-foot children’s library with soft play areas, reading nooks, colouring stations and chests of toys scattered among children’s book displays.
Just beyond sections for babies, toddlers and preschoolers are a mini-climbing park, cosy classrooms and a “questionarium” for school-aged children, providing early literacy activities from Jump Math workbooks and board games to lendable tablets and laptops.
The second floor is a communal space with fiction and literature collections, a widescreen TV, volunteer lounge and an author-inresidence studio, while the third floor welcomes teens in a digital learning lab, reading booths and private meeting or study rooms.
And even as all the previous floors speak to emerging technology and digital literacy, the fourth floor is a tribute to the past with its TD Great Reading Room, an impressive, quiet study space with comfortable chairs and tables of white oak alongside a local history collection and artist-in-residence studios.
Service within the library will also strive to meet a wider need, where librarians will no longer be seated at desks, always roaming learning spaces or making themselves available through private appointments for users with more in-depth needs like research.
Michael Brown, president and CEO for the Calgary Municipal Land Corp., which spearheaded the downtown library project, hopes the range of offerings and diverse collections brings in people from all walks of life.
“There is nothing more democratic than a public library,” he said. “It is free. There is nothing like it. And it is open to everyone — everyone is welcome.”
As part of the ongoing revitalization of East Village, Brown hopes the new Central Library will not only offer another important amenity to the growing, diverse community but will teach library users important lessons about diversity and acceptance.
“We know there is a drop-in centre nearby, a Salvation Army, and several seniors centres too,” Brown said.
“But we also know, and hope, people will learn when they come here, especially children and young people, is that there is a big difference between a homeless person and a criminal.
“And if they see homeless people here, reading, using computers, maybe looking for jobs, then that’s great. It’s important that the library can teach us that, and help us understand that the world is complex.”
Mary Kapusta, director of communications and marketing for Calgary Public Library, stressed that the building will have security staff and a code of conduct, ensuring people from all parts of the downtown, East Village and outer-lying communities feel welcome and safe.
“Our role is to serve the public, to be here as a destination that is safe and truly barrier-free.”
Programs for new Canadians and members of at-risk communities will also be a big part of the new Central Library services, she added.
Library staff and volunteers will work one-on-one with people to advance English-language skills, including reading, writing, grammar, conversation and job search skills.
Youth can come in for homework support in literacy, math and music, while mini-libraries will also be set up to go out into the community, to seniors centres and long-term care facilities.
The Calgary Public Library has several more opening week activities, including an evening with Chris Hadfield, decorated astronaut, engineer, pilot, author and musician. The first Canadian commander of the International Space Station will speak tonight from 7 to 9. Tickets are free.
On Friday night, the Lit Gala fundraiser will feature experiences on every level of the new library, from performers to an array of culinary delights.
Saturday will launch Family Fun Weekend, with free programming, tours, craft stations and more.