Sponsor a shelf at Calgary Public Library
Name a bookcase or a bookshelf in support of The Fifth Book Campaign for Library collections.
Show your support for The Fifth Book Campaign for Calgary Public Library’s collections with a shelf sponsorship.
The Fifth Book Campaign is for every book and every reader in Calgary—and every shelf, too. With average book prices rising by 20% since 2019, your support will help add the stories Calgarians can’t afford to miss.
Select your preferred Library location and collections area (either fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, or teen books) and a plaque recognizing your sponsorship will be installed on a bookshelf—or a full bookcase—for a ten-year term.
Plaques can bear your name, honour or memorialize a friend or loved one, or recognize a business, service club, book club, or community organization. See the FAQ section for more information.
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Bookshelf Sponsorship ($2,500)
Your recognition plaque will be affixed to one shelf in the area of your choice. There may be multiple shelf sponsors within the same section or aisle.
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Bookcase Sponsorship ($10,000)
Consisting of a vertical set of shelves within a section or aisle, a bookcase sponsorship is all yours—none of the individual shelves will be eligible for sponsorship by other donors. Your recognition plaque will be affixed prominently to the top of the bookcase.
Frequently-asked questions
The Fifth Book is a fundraising campaign in support of enhancing and expanding Calgary Public Library’s collections. The name refers to the book that goes unpurchased when funding does not keep pace with increases to book costs. Book prices have increased by 20%, but budgets have not, and the same funds that would previously cover five books now only cover the cost of four.
Naming a bookshelf or a bookcase (multiple shelves in one vertical stack) is a new opportunity to support Calgary Public Library through The Fifth Book campaign. Your naming ($2,500 for a shelf for 10 years or $10,000 for a case for 10 years) will be installed at your Library location of choice on a first-purchased, first-served basis.
Yes, shelves and cases are available at all Calgary Public Library locations, excluding Prototype: Skyview. Please note, as all Library locations vary in size, shelves and cases are limited in availability and will be allocated on a first-purchased, first-served basis.
No. While you are able to choose an area of interest (fiction, non-fiction, teen books, children’s books), we cannot guarantee any specifics of the books that will be on your named shelf or case. Logistically, the Library requires flexibility to accommodate changing collections items from year to year and even month to month. We thank you in advance for your understanding. Imagine how much fun it will be to visit your shelf or case throughout the years and check out (and then check out!) the different books that it will display!
As each Library location is unique in layout, capacity, and items available, there is no set amount of books displayed in any given section.
All plaques for shelves and cases will read “This bookshelf / bookcase is sponsored by” and you can choose your recognition name to follow. This might be your name, nickname, or initials, or the name of your family, book club or a loved one. We can also accommodate requests to name a shelf/case in honour or in memory of someone. Please reach out to our team at 403-221-2002 or info@libraryfoundation.ca if you have further questions.
Wayfinding information for all inscribed shelves and cases will be shared with donors. Donors will be notified once installation is complete (timing TBD) and plaques are ready for viewing.
Namings will be in place for ten years.
Yes! We hope that many Calgarians will think of making a donation to the Library for birthdays, celebrations, and special occasions of any nature. Tax receipts for eligible donations are issued to the donor.
Contributions to The Fifth Book campaign are not refundable, as they are considered donations under CRA regulations. However, donors are eligible for a tax receipt for the full amount of their gift.
We are unable to accommodate requests for namings to be moved, so we ask that you carefully consider your Library location and broad interest area before making your choice. Calgary Public Library Foundation reserves the right to adjust placement of name plaques over the course of the recognition period based on the needs of the Library location. If such a move becomes necessary, the affected donor will be notified and every effort will be made to ensure the donor’s original intentions are honoured.