Fifth Street Supports the Fifth Book Campaign

The average price of a book in Canada has risen by 20% since 2019. This means for every five books that Calgary Public Library could previously afford, today it can only buy four, so the fifth book never makes it to the Library’s shelves.

Meanwhile, Calgarians are joining the Library in record numbers. An average of 425 Calgarians per day signed up for their Library membership in 2024, and this growth increases demand for collections items. As of 2025, there are more than 828,000 Library members in Calgary—that’s nearly 60% of the community. 

Calgary Public Library Foundation is embarking on a journey for every book and every reader. We have an immediate need to raise $1 million this year for expanded and enhanced Library collections. Your fellow Fifth Streeter and Calgary Public Library Foundation Board Member Jordan Balaban invites you to donate to this campaign to ensure the right book makes it into the right hands, at the right time.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the Library Foundation team at 403-221-2002 or info@libraryfoundation.ca.