Books, digital books, audiobooks, CD’s, printing services, instrument rentals, and magazines are just a few of the many items the Calgary Public Library has to offer, and most of them are free for the public to use.
In today’s economy, even knowledge comes with a hefty price tag. The Calgary Public Library (CPL) attempts to break that barrier by offering free resources for youth and adults alike. As a youth, I want to focus on how their multiple locations throughout Calgary have provided a safe space for learning for the younger generation, while giving them access to resources to aid them on their journey into adulthood.
My Personal Experiences with the CPL
My first memories of the Calgary Public Library were created when I was 6 years old.
Before every long road trip my family would go on, my mom would take me to the CPL, with my colourful library card in her hand. I would run straight to the DVD section! I was allowed to pick 2-3 movies to watch in the car on the way to places like Edmonton, Banff, Lake Louise, Red Deer, and more. The DVDs I picked were different each time and perfect for my age, thanks to the organizational prowess of the library staff. I would put them in my portable DVD player and become immersed in the movie, never to be bored for the rest of the trip.
My goal was to watch all the movies the library had to offer, but I only got through a couple before I realized how difficult it would be to get through the hundreds of movies on the shelves. I still remember the movies I borrowed from the library to this day, and the memories I made on those road trips.
When I was 7, I started taking swimming lessons at a new facility. This building had a Calgary Public Library branch inside. Whenever I had to wait for my parents to pick me up after my swimming lessons, I would go there. The library felt safe to me even when it got dark outside.
The librarians would come and speak with me about books I was interested in and recommend some of their favourites as well. This strongly encouraged my curiosity and passion for reading. The endless supply of books and the staff that knew exactly how to help with all my incessant questioning gave me a sense of comfort.
It’s safe to say that my love for reading has been nurtured from a very young age by all the resources the library has offered throughout the years!
Resources the Library Offers
From summer reading contests (which I never won anything in because I was too lazy to track my reading) to partnering with educational sites like SOLARO, I have accomplished a lot of my reading and academic goals thanks to their extensive collection of resources for youth. It’s hard to find a teenager without a Calgary Public Library membership nowadays, but even if you may not have one, the process of getting a membership has never been easier. The cost for a Calgary Public Library card to sign out books and resources is free!
I’m so grateful that I had access to a facility like the CPL growing up. I now understand how privileged our city is to have such a great space available. We take our libraries for granted; especially our ability to sign out all the books we want and to access to millions of resources for free. Children in different parts of the globe that live in places currently facing political and environmental crises cannot say the same. Our access to knowledge is something that should be appreciated.
Organizations like the Calgary Public Library help us practice and enhance our fundamental freedoms, like the freedom of thought and freedom of the press. Let’s take good care of our libraries (especially with the recent cyberattacks impacting CPL locations throughout Calgary) and ensure that we show our appreciation to the library staff that all played a role in shaping the lives of Calgarians!