As we come to the end of this special anniversary year at Calgary Public Library, we take a final look back at 1912.

In this optimistic time, George V was King and Sir Robert Borden was prime minister; Alberta’s premier was Arthur Lewis Watkins Sifton and Calgary’s Mayor was John William Mitchell. The Calgary Herald of December 24 had an article on the good hearted Calgarians who donated hampers to poor families with the Santa Clause Fund, traditions which still survive today.

We talked in the first blog post of our centennial year about just some of the popular authors from 1912, the year Calgary celebrated the opening of the first public library in Alberta. Here are some books published in 1912 that are still part of our collections: Zane Grey’s Riders of the Purple Sage,the Tom Swift series by Victor Appleton, Greyfriars Bobby by Eleanor Stackhouse Atkinson, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Lost World, Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town by Stephen Leacock and Flint and Feather by E. Pauline Johnson. Add some of these books to your reading list, along with some new releases and enjoy the pleasure of reading then and now.

My new year’s resolution is to take more time to learn and reminisce about Calgary’s amazing history and the role that the Library has had in creating generations of readers here. I will take the time to visit the amazing Memorial Park Library and think about the many generations of Calgarians who walked through these doors and have such wonderful memories and hope that you will join me. If you are unable to come in person, download Zane Grey to your e-reader from our website!

Enjoy our ever evolving library services to Calgarians, then and now.

Riders of the Purple Sage	The Lost World	Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town

What do Village Square Library and Leonard Cohen have in common?

Did you know that this esteemed Canadian icon gave a reading here in 1984 for National Book Fest? Staff members who were at the reading still recall swooning during and trying to find excuses to get near the great Man in Black.

The branch has been home to many interesting people and programs over the years. Renovated in 1993 and with books in over 20 languages, this busy branch in the Village Square Leisure Centre continues to be a hub of a diverse community. Students from the nearby Lester Pearson High School take full advantage of the proximity of the branch to research, study and meet with friends. Innovative programs and outreach are a Village Square specialty, as seen by the recent teen program Prom Dress Extravaganza. Donated dresses and volunteer designers were on hand to help those who may not have had the chance to attend the prom with the dress of their dreams. Girls gained self esteem by making them princesses for the evening.

Another renovation in 2005, with the grand re-opening in 2006 keeps this branch changing, along with its community. Don’t forget to check out more pictures of the branch over the years in the Calgary Public Library Archives.

Leonard Cohen, 1984

October 17, 1966 was a significant day in Calgary history when Alderman Roy Farran opened the Southwood branch.

City council had finally granted the wish of a determined group of 1000 residents who signed a petition insisting on a library in their neighbourhood. Some 95 percent of the customers were children who would grow up with the library. Library staff have identified several 3 generation families who continue to visit regularly. With Southwood at the heart of its community, many customers stop regularly just for a chat, greeting staff and neighbours by name. An incredibly successful campaign of “staff picks” encourages regular customers to seek out specific staff members for their recommendations.

Southwood has developed a community garden for the Library’s centennial, harking back to the legacy of first chief librarian Alexander Calhoun, who was instrumental in developing the Vacant Lots club to help sustain many in the city during the hard times of World War 1. Check out more amazing pictures of the branch over the years in the Calgary Public Library Archives.

Signal Hill Library was the first branch designed to accommodate the new-fangled technology called the “internet” in 1998.

This branch was the dream of then alderman and future mayor Dave Bronconnier and strong community support ensured it got on the fast track to opening. Author Brian Brennan described its cathedral ceilings, wooden beams and stone fireplace as “a cozy high tech chalet which was instantly popular with the booming new suburb communities as well as the established older communities.”

In a very short time, much sooner than anyone expected, it was bursting at the seams and before long needed to be renovated and expanded to keep up with such a dynamic community of young families and seniors. It reopened March 26, 2011, proudly wearing its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) designation.

Signal Hill sod turning Board member Daryl Friedhandler, MLA Karen Kryczka, Alderman Dave Bronconnier, Director Gerry Meek

Did you ever wonder where the name Thorn-Hill comes from?

Did you guess a mash-up of the community names Thorncliffe and Huntington Hills?

This branch from the psychedelic seventies (it opened October 5, 1974) opened in the tri-services building and has had its devoted customers ever since. It has had a rather incendiary past too. Severely damaged by arson in 1990, it arose like phoenix from the ashes and is better than ever. This busy branch was the stalwart of the north part of the city until the opening of the Country Hills Library in 2004.

Always responsive to the needs of their community, a staff member had the great idea to start a weekly Stitch and Chat program. The group is now producing various charity items for the women’s shelter, showing their heart and passion. It remains a vital part of the community as a popular venue for community art displays.

Find more amazing pictures of the branch over the years in the Calgary Public Library Archives.