Library School brings innovation to Calgary kids
CALGARY, Alberta (May 7, 2019) – The Calgary Public Library Foundation, with a significant financial donation from Cenovus Energy Inc., is officially launching the Cenovus Classroom at the Central Library today.
The Cenovus Classroom plays host to Library School, a week-long program that brings unique philosophy of hands-on learning and personal reflection into the education process while allowing students to explore the library behind the scenes. The Cenovus Classroom and funding for the Library School program in the space through 2020 were made possible by a $400,000 contribution from Cenovus Energy.
“The Cenovus Classroom is central to the kids’ experience at Library School,” says Anna Dunne-Hussey, Library School Coordinator. “With 240,000 square feet of library spaces to explore each day, it’s amazing to have a place where we can return to share ideas and meet with knowledgeable local community members like Indigenous Elders, city planners, authors, building engineers, and visual artists. Those are just a few of the experts who have turned our classroom into a living library.”
A pilot of Library School, supported by Cenovus, was launched in the former Central Library in 2018.
“The new location of the Cenovus Classroom provides a truly fantastic learning space right in the centre of one of our community’s most prominent landmarks,” said Leanne Courchesne, Group Lead, Community Investment with Cenovus Energy. “Library School enriches the learning experience for children by promoting literacy and creativity. The program and the classroom significantly contribute to a vibrant community, which is one of the focus areas of our community investment program.”
Library School and the Cenovus Classroom at the Calgary Public Library are part Campus Calgary/Open Minds’ network of community sites, where students become informed and involved members of their community.
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Media Contacts:
| Maegan Marshall Communications Associate Calgary Public Library Foundation 403.774.2543 | Kelsey Marklund Senior Account Executive Edelman 403.817.0633
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About Add In–the campaign for Calgary’s Library:
Add In—the Campaign for Calgary’s Library, is the largest public campaign for a public library in Canadian history. The $350 million campaign will enhance and support a system of community libraries across Calgary and is inspired by the New Central Library, which opened its doors on November 1, 2018.
About the Calgary Public Library Foundation:
The Calgary Public Library Foundation was created in 1999 to provide an opportunity for individuals, businesses and foundations to participate in building a library system for today and future generations. Its vision is to enable the citizens of Calgary to have the best public library in the world.
About the Calgary Public Library
Calgary Public Library, with 700,000+ members and 21 locations, has been inspiring the life stories of Calgarians for more than 100 years. It is currently the second largest library system in Canada and the sixth largest municipal library system in North America, with Calgarians borrowing more than 14.4 million physical and digital items and with 6.9 million in-person visits last year. The awe-inspiring 240,000 sq. ft. new Central Library – the newest gathering place for our city – opened on November 1, 2018 and has received over 790,000 visits since then.
