MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 24, 2018
Calgary, AB—Local history supporters and cultural philanthropists Walt and Irene DeBoni announced a $1 million gift to Calgary Public Library in support of the Library’s local history collection today.
“Walt and Irene are passionate advocates of Calgary’s history, and have supported the Library’s local history collection for a number of years,” said Christine Gingerick, Donor Relations Manager at the Calgary Public Library Foundation. “As we enter Historic Calgary Week, we are delighted to share that the Library has chosen to honour the DeBoni’s with the naming of Calgary’s Story at the New Central Library.”
Calgary’s Story, presented by Walt and Irene DeBoni, brings Calgary’s and Southern Alberta’s history and heritage to life. Through collections, programs and a digital kiosk, visitors will be able to dive into some of the many stories from Calgary’s past, explore their family history and see photographs of what Calgary looked like at the turn of the century. The feature area will be located on the fourth level of the New Central Library, which Calgarians can explore when the New Central Library opens on November 1, 2018.
“The Library is a community resource accessible to all, and as history-lovers, it means so much to us to share our story within its newest location,” says Walt DeBoni. “We want to invite Calgarians to share their stories by leaving their mark on the New Central Library as a part of the Windows of Opportunity Campaign.”
Calgarians can choose from three distinct levels of supporting the Library through the Windows of Opportunity Campaign; $100, $2018 and $5,000. Each level offers different benefits, and all three include adding an inscription to a New Central Library window frame. All donations will support life-changing programs and services at libraries across Calgary.
Walt and Irene DeBoni are Founding Partners of Add In—the Campaign for Calgary’s Library, a bold, audacious vision to take a great library system and transform it into the best in the world. The Calgary Public Library Foundation has surpassed $326 million of its $350 million goal for Add In.
