In this our 100th year we've been fortunate to receive some greetings and we'd like to share another one with you. This month, we’re featuring a message from University Librarian Tom Hickerson from Libraries and Cultural Resources, University of Calgary.

Central Park and Carnegie Library

Memorial Park Library and west end of the park

I have a certain fondness for Memorial Park since it is the site of Calgary’s beautiful Carnegie Library, our first library and the first public library in Alberta. The park was originally surveyed by the CPR and reserved for parkland, thanks to William Pearce – an important man in the history of Calgary’s green spaces. In 1894 the land was used as a nursery and distribution centre for the city’s tree planting program (another nod to William Pearce – we would have had very few trees in Calgary were it not for this program).

It seems logical that Calgary’s first park would house Calgary’s first library, but it wasn’t a foregone conclusion. The matter of the library’s location went to plebiscite and the park was chosen. The park was renamed “Memorial” in 1928, reflecting its role as the home of Calgary’s memorials for the Boer War and the two World Wars.

In recognition of its value and aware of the need to reclaim the green space for the neighbourhood, an $11.5 million refurbishment was started in 2008. The library, itself the object of a major refurbishment a few years back, is still a beautiful aspect of the park with its magnificent sandstone “bow” providing a charming backdrop to the Edwardian-era feel of the landscaping.

Sixty-thousand Calgarians in north central Calgary couldn’t wait for the doors to open in Cardel Place in 2004. Young families and new residents excitedly rushed to the technology discovery area, teen zone and the comfortable fireplace reading area.

Staff and customers alike are eager to tell you that this branch was among the first to meet the prestigious and internationally renowned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for energy efficiency – and won Gold!

This modern branch has roots to its past too—keeping alive the memory of one of our heroes—author and outstanding reference librarian Georgina Thomson.

You can find more pictures of the Country Hills Library (including some like the construction photo below) by visiting the Calgary Public Library Archives.

We think 100 years is pretty special and we're very thrilled that others think so too! We've been receiving Birthday Greetings and we'd like to share another one with you. This month, we’re featuring a message from the Honourable Jonathan Denis, M.L.A. for Calgary-Egmont.

Bowness library is the little branch that could.

When Bowness evolved from a town to a community in 1964, it brought along its library to join the Calgary Public Library system. Residents fought hard to finally open doors to their library, in fact, they cleared its shelves of books on the first day of opening. That enthusiasm to support the library has held fast over the years. People have followed the branch through many location changes ranging from town halls, recreation halls, and shopping centres until it reached its present location in 1979. The community has been delighted to attend an incredible range of programs and speakers, from noted Canadian author W.O. Mitchell to beadwork displays of the Stoney Indians from Morley.

Check out more historical pictures of Bowness Library in the Calgary Public Library Archives.

Bowness Library, circa 1964