University of Calgary staff and students in front of Calgary Public Library, 1912

Education has always been part of the mandate of the Calgary Public Library. The goal of our first Chief Librarian, Alexander Calhoun, was that the library should be “primarily an educational force in the community”- “a people’s university”. To further that goal, many initiatives have been undertaken. In 1912, Calgary’s first attempt at a university was holding classes in what is now Memorial Park Library, Calgary College students attended classes until 1915 when a provincial commission rejected the college’s bid for degree-granting status for a third time.

In 1929, Calhoun offered the basement rooms once used by the failed Calgary College to a new private school for boys, Strathcona. That arrangement lasted only one year, as the school was so successful, it needed more space almost immediately and moved to a house in Mount Royal.

Schools, teachers and students remain an important focus to the Calgary Public Library. Our staff still visit schools, endeavouring to introduce students to the joy of reading. We have programs in place for learners of all ages – offering English language, literacy, career development and of course, the opportunity for all to discover new and wonderful things on our shelves.