Everyone belongs at the Library because the Library belongs to you.
Seven years ago, Adam was a newcomer to Canada, navigating a new culture, norms, and a new community. Like many Calgarians, he turned to the Library for support.
“I had a certain image of what a library was like: a plain building where you go to the front desk, request a specific book, and if it’s available, the librarian brings it to you,” says Adam, recalling his experiences at the library back home in Serbia. “To become a member, you needed to prove your identity and pay for a membership.”
But what he encountered on his first visit to Calgary Public Library was nothing like he’d anticipated. At the front desk, Adam and his partner were greeted warmly by Library staff. “They showed empathy, explained everything to us, and opened our Library accounts. Once we had our Library cards and entered the Library, a whole new world opened up to me. I observed how people interacted with each other, how they behaved in the Library, how children were free to play, and most importantly, how the Library was open and welcoming to everyone. I didn’t feel like an outsider.”
For Adam and the 57% of Calgarians who are active Library members, the Library is a transformational, vital community resource. “The support from the Library’s staff was a crucial moment in my new Canadian life that I will never forget. It helped me believe in myself and realize that I could achieve more than I thought.”