The Fifth Book Campaign has raised over $800,000 to help put more than 21,000 books on Calgary Public Library shelves, and now it’s an award-winner.
The campaign took home silver in the “Best Non-Profit/NGO Campaign – Small Budget” at the Canadian Public Relations Society’s 2026 Awards of Excellence.
Launched last spring to support Calgary Public Library as it experiences record-high borrowing rates while contending with rising book prices, The Fifth Book takes its name from the fact that for every five books the Library could afford previously, today it can only afford four, meaning the fifth book doesn’t make it to the Library’s shelves.
The campaign may be award-winning, but we’re not through yet. The cost of adding books to the Library’s collection continues to rise while borrowing rates climb. Calgary Public Library Foundation has set a target of raising $1 million a year to support collections. Help ensure the right book makes it to the right hands, at the right time—visit thefifthbook.ca to learn more and contribute today.
