MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2017
Calgary, AB—A $550,000 gift to Calgary Public Library from BMO Financial Group announced today will support free, bookable community spaces at libraries across Calgary, including a community room in the New Central Library, opening next fall.
“We’re proud to continue our support of the Calgary Public Library by adding spaces that strengthen the potential for learning in the community,” said Allison Hakomaki, Head, Corporate Finance Division Prairies, BMO Bank of Montreal. “We know this addition will foster collaboration and sharing of knowledge among Calgarians, and the impact will be positively felt for years to come.”
The Library will name the BMO Community Room—one of more than 30 spaces at the New Central Library that Calgarians can book for personal and community use—in recognition of this transformational investment.
“Calgarians have told us that they need more free spaces to study, work, read, and connect with each other, and in response, we have opened up our libraries to make this possible,” says Ellen Humphrey, President & CEO of the Calgary Public Library Foundation. “BMO Financial Group’s incredible investment will foster connections between Calgarians and reinforce the Library’s role as a community hub.”
This new investment from BMO builds on work Calgary Public Library started in January 2015, when it removed rental fees for community groups and individuals. To book one of the Library’s 30 free meeting spaces across the city for 10-400 people, visit calgarylibrary.ca
BMO Financial Group has supported the Calgary Public Library Foundation through the Bob Edwards Award Gala since 2015 and is a Founding Partner of Add In—the Campaign for Calgary’s Library.
