FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, September 13, 2013
Calgary, Alberta – The Calgary Public Library Foundation today announces a $1.5 million donation from CNOOC Limited, through its wholly owned subsidiary Nexen Energy ULC, the largest gift in the Foundation’s history.
The company is a founding partner for Add In, the Campaign for Calgary’s Library. The gift will support the creation of a learning commons in the new Central Library, a technology rich space featuring leading edge and emerging, educational applications that support group learning, collaboration and study. The learning commons will become a key gathering area within the new Central Library, currently in early planning stages of development within Calgary’s East Village.
The donation will also support a new Automated Materials Handling System for the current Central Library which sustained significant damage caused by Calgary’s flood. This new technology will greatly help the Central Library’s delivery of service and support to all 18 Libraries across the city and will be relocated to a new branch upon the closing of the current Central Library.
“We are proud to play a leadership role in helping to build the Library of the Future here in Calgary,” said Mr. Li Fanrong, CEO of CNOOC Limited. “This investment in educational excellence and innovation will provide significant benefits for Calgarians for years to come.”
Add In will be the largest fundraising campaign for a library in Canadian history with philanthropic and sponsorship opportunities for all 18 branch libraries. Calgarians who love and value their library will be invited to participate in building a great library system for today and generations to come. At the heart of the campaign will be the opportunity to Add In and enhance civic investment in the new Central Library to be built in the East Village.
“We believe great cities are defined by the ability of all who live there to access information, knowledge and support to enrich their lives and achieve their full potential,” said Paul McIntyre Royston, President and CEO of the Calgary Public Library Foundation. “This incredible gift will enable Calgarians to access and trial leading edge and innovative technology.”
The Calgary Public Library is one of the largest public library systems in North America and the second largest civic public library system in Canada. In 2012, Calgarians visited the Library’s 18 locations more than 5.7 million times and borrowed more than 17 million items including books, DVDs, and e-resources.
The Calgary Public Library Foundation’s sole purpose is to ensure through fundraising that the citizens of Calgary have the best public library in the world. Funds raised do not replace the Library’s core funding, but rather enhance the special programs and services that the Library can provide.
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