Like a balloon, our donors bring Calgary Public Library to great heights.
See some of the Library Foundation’s highest achievements from the past year, marking where we’ve been and where we’re rising to—thanks to donors like you.
As a donor to Calgary Public Library Foundation, you lifted our community to greater heights in 2023. Many challenges face our community — and thanks to you, the Library is a place where potential can be reached, barriers torn down, and creativity encouraged.
In March 2023, I watched as Library supporter and installation artist Maria arranged a beautiful sculpture of balloons to celebrate the opening of LibraryStore+. As we chatted, I asked Maria how she found herself in the unique career of balloon art. I was amazed to hear that her love of balloons has a profound connection to what the Library provides to her and her three daughters. For Maria, balloons are more than a colourful display, just like the Library, they are also a symbol of hope, joy, and possibility:
“I have loved balloons since I was eight years old. In the Philippines, where I grew up, we go for Sunday Mass. Vendors outside the church sell food and—guess what?—balloons. On rare occasions, my father would ask me what I’d like after service, and I’d pick a bright balloon. The excitement of being asked what you really want and then receiving it has become etched in my heart.”
Being asked what you want and then receiving it. Maria and I agreed that this is the Library experience in its purest form.
Whether a big, bright balloon or your very first Library card, I invite you to reflect on the hope, joy, and possibility that you felt as a child when you received exactly what you wanted. Thank you for making 2023 an uplifting year.
Tracy Johnson
Chief Executive Officer
Calgary Public Library Foundation
As we reflect on the accomplishments of the past year, the generous support of our community has enabled us to continue inventing the future of libraries. I am particularly thrilled to highlight the triumphant return of the Lit Gala, a signature fundraising event whose proceeds will support children’s programming, services, and spaces at the Library. The enthusiasm and commitment displayed by our donors and partners during the Gala represent Calgary’s generous spirit, providing children with the best possible start as they build lives filled with learning and achievement.
The generosity of our donors has empowered the Library to innovate and pivot swiftly in response to the toughest challenges facing our community. This adaptability has been especially crucial in a year marked by rising costs of living and enhanced community need, demonstrating the resilience and responsiveness of Calgary Public Library. The Library Foundation remains committed to meeting the evolving needs of Calgarians through the Library, ensuring that our resources continue to serve as stepping stones helping all members achieve their potential.
In celebrating the achievements of 2023, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each supporter, donor, and partner who has played a role in our shared success. Your commitment to Calgary Public Library Foundation has made a lasting impact on the landscape of our city. Together, let us look forward to a future where Calgary Public Library continues to lift us up in knowledge, innovation, and community spirit.
Rob Van Wielingen
Chair
Calgary Public Library Foundation Board of Directors
On November 1, we celebrated five years of community, literature, and learning at Central Library. The award-winning building has captured hearts and minds both here at home and internationally since opening its doors in 2018.
The milestone anniversary was marked with a birthday event filled with music, games, crafts, and treats. The location has welcomed more than 4.5 million visitors and has become a central part of Calgary’s fabric as a place of connection, learning, and inspiration.
At the Library Foundation, we are especially pleased to celebrate the contribution of our community of donors. Over the past five years, their generosity has created a legacy of knowledge and inspiration, transforming Central Library into a beacon of knowledge and community support for all Calgarians. These donors have led the way towards enhancing library philanthropy in our community. We are so grateful to them for believing in the vision of how Central Library would enhance Calgary’s status as a world-class city.
Thank you
Join us as we invent the future of libraries, together.
