The images in the digital library come from three different collections which CPL has digitized and made available online. The Alison Jackson Photograph Collection, Postcards from the Past, and the Judith Umbach Photography Collection contain a wide variety of images of Calgary and Alberta.
- Alison Jackson Collection - In 1988, the estate of former Calgary Public Library librarian Alison Jackson donated an extensive collection of slides and photographs to the Local History Collection. These images, primarily of Calgary's historic buildings and residences, were taken between 1953 and 1977.
- Postcards from the Past - This extensive collection contains almost 2000 postcards. From the early days of the Calgary Stampede to streets in Mount Royal, these postcards offer a fascinating glimpse into more than 100 years of Alberta history. Any writing found on the back of the postcards has also been included.
- Judith Umbach - Over 800 photographs were donated to the Local History Collection in 2005 by Judith Umbach, who gained her appreciation of contemporary history while serving on the Board of Trustees for Calgary Public Library. Most of the pictures document the construction or renovation of well-known facilities in the downtown core and document Calgary's construction, architecture and development.
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Calgary Public Library Archives: Our Story in Pictures - As part of Calgary Public Library's celebrations in 2012 of our 100 years of service to Calgarians, we are thrilled to announce the launch of Calgary Public Library Archives: Our Story in Pictures. With a generous grant from the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation, a collection of over 3,000 photographs from Calgary Public Library's Archives have been digitized and are now accessible to all Calgarians. This legacy will find a permanent home in the Community Heritage and Family History Digital Library as our newest collection. The Library has been an integral part of the historical fabric of Calgary because of the remarkable efforts of individuals such as first chief librarian Alexander Calhoun, authors and librarians Louise Riley and Georgina Thomson, photographer and librarian Alison Jackson as well as members of city council, such as R.B. Bennett, who have served over the years on the Calgary Public Library Board. This centennial legacy allows Calgarians to explore another aspect of our rich history and evoke memories and stories of the past of our communities and branches. Another exciting aspect of this collection is that many of the photos you will see are included in another legacy. Local author Brian Brennan has used his exceptional storytelling skills and research into the Library's archives to tell Calgary Public Library's story in our centennial book, published in the spring of 2012.
Stay up on the latest of the oldest! See our Community Heritage and Family History blog to learn about the history of Calgary and Southern Alberta.
Within a two block radius there are three organizations that collect and preserve the city’s heritage. Within this Heritage Triangle the Glenbow Library and Archives, the Calgary Public Library and the City of Calgary Archives all work to keep our heritage alive and to make it accessible to Calgarians.