Donors make great things possible at Calgary Public Library

Explore how your support for the Library impacts Calgarians.

Discover how donors made an impact in our community in 2024.

Throughout 2024, donors enabled Calgary Public Library to meet significant milestones, overcome unexpected challenges, and, most importantly, share a great deal of joy. Donor generosity fuelled journeys of learning and discovery across Library’s 22 locations and enabled Library membership to reach record-breaking levels of more than 818,000 Calgarians—that’s nearly 60% of the city’s population.

Read on to learn more about how your support is helping Calgary Public Library transform our community, each and every day.

  • Milestones reached in 2024
  • $200,000
    in collections materials added to Library shelves systemwide
  • 100,000
    books delivered through the My First Bookshelf program as of July
  • 3,000+
    visits to Fish Creek Library for Engine 23's grand opening in April
  • 100%
    increase in Wellness Desk service, from 24 to 48 hours per week

Cultivating meaningful livelihoods

Last year, thanks to donors, the Library’s Job Desk connected nearly 4,000 people to career development and transition support, networking and interview skills, and strategies for navigating their employment search.

Expanding minds through play

In April, the Library’s learn-and-play fire truck returned to action at Fish Creek Library, and in the weeks following the grand opening, visits to its new home at Fish Creek Library were up more than 40%. Hands-on and interactive, Engine 23 helps children build their fundamental learning skills, physical literacy, and fire safety.

Creating a welcoming community

Last year, Calgary saw newcomers arrive at a rate of 80 people per day, and a visit to Calgary Public Library is often one of their first stops. Resources like Newcomers Desk, English Conversation Group, and Job Desk make a difference through donor support by helping newcomers begin building their lives in their new communities.

Promoting early literacy

In June, donor support grew My First Bookshelf, adding 600 more children to the program. Families with home libraries are more likely to read often and together, and since 2020, this program has delivered more than 100,000 books in service of the goal to instill a lifelong love of reading while supporting school readiness.

Reading every day

One in six Canadian children struggle with low literacy, but setting aside time to read every day as a family can make a big difference. More than 17,000 children and families participated in Ultimate Summer Challenge 2024, the Library’s summerlong reading initiative, which helps keep minds sharp between school years and encourages development of a daily reading habit.

“The Library matters because it’s free, it’s accessible, and because there are amazing stories it provides to us. I love the Library and all that it offers.”

—Anita, Library donor

Your support can continue to make great things possible at Calgary Public Library in 2025.