‘Library for the future’ makes it possible for Calgarians to dare to dream
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| Madeline Low (Left), Co-Founder of Utility Network and Partners Inc. and Daniel Lombardi (Right), Social Enterprise & Impact Giving Manager, Calgary Public Library Foundation. Photo By: David Morales |
Written by: Deanna McArthur
Calgarians can now pay their utility bills and support the growing Calgary Public Library system, all at the same time thanks to a new partnership between Sandstone Energy and the Calgary Public Library Foundation. Click here to learn more.
The New Central Library, which is scheduled to open next year, has caught the attention of many Calgarians, yet few people know that the process began in 2004, when City Council set aside $40 million for the project.
In 2011, Council approved Block 127 as the location for the New Central Library. Set in the heart of the East Village in Calgary, and only minutes away from City Hall, the site was unanimously recommended by the Calgary Public Library Board. In recognition of the significance of this project to the East Village redevelopment, City Council allocated an additional $135 million. While its shape, close proximity, and intersection with the CTrain line posed a number of challenges, one year later, CMLC decided to oversee the delivery of the Library and contributed to the balance of funding needed for construction of the building.
In 2013, Snøhetta and DIALOG were engaged as the lead design team, and after extensive community consultations, the land began its transformation into 240,000 square feet of functional and flexible space for Calgarians to learn, explore, collaborate, and share. This space is the New Central Library; a library for the future.
Described as an architectural and engineering feat, the building is truly an impressive sight. The half-moon shaped building was designed to look like a graceful ship sailing into the future. With its geometric exterior cladding inspired by chinook arches and vast open interior spaces, it’s a library that will serve Calgarians for a century or more.
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| A rendering of what the New Central Library will look like once completed in 2018. Image courtesy of MIR. |
“Great cities have great libraries,” said Rachael Terner, Manager of Communications at the Calgary Public Library Foundation. “Our vision is to create the best public library system in the world for Calgarians, and the New Central Library will be its hub.”
While the new library, slated to open in November of 2018, will be a showpiece, the Calgary Public Library has been working hard to ensure that each community library in the system reflects the same quality experience.
And what a system it is! The Calgary Public Library offers everything from information sessions on doing your taxes, to how to start a small business, to English as a second language, to senior’s outreach, and much more.
“The Library is serving more Calgarians than ever—both in the library and out in the community,” said Terner. “The Library has evolved since it opened in 1912 and continues to evolve to meet the needs of Calgarians. While libraries still have quiet spaces to study, read and focus, there are also places of activity and places where kids are encouraged to explore and play, where anyone can come and interact.”
The New Central Library offers levels for everyone, with specific spaces based on interest and age.
Some of the most notable spaces include:
The Children’s Library and play space: included in this area is an early learning center with story and craft programs, kid’s theatre, art, puppet shows, creative play of all kinds with books, computers, and more.
Williams & Harris Shared History Centre: a place that ensures the stories of Calgary’s history are told, collected, and shared. Calgarians and visitors are encouraged to contribute to the existing collection of archives, maps, photos, cookbooks, and stories of the city’s shared history.
Free bookable spaces: available in all public libraries in the city, these resources are for groups to utilize as space to meet and collaborate. The new Central Library has more than 30 free spaces available, the same number as all of the libraries in Calgary combined.
Windows of Opportunity Campaign Provides Way to Support the Public Library System
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| This photo, captured during a recent walk-through of the New Central Library, gives a sneak peek of the unique windows that are available for sponsorship via the "Windows of Opportunity" campaign. |
Anyone who has driven by the construction site of the New Central Library can agree that the windows are one of the most iconic parts of the building and what makes it unique.
Inspired by the fundraising campaign of the 1988 Winter Olympics, where Calgarians could buy a personalized brick in Olympic Plaza, the Calgary Public Library Foundation has launched a similar fundraising campaign in support of the city’s public library system, but with a twist. It is called “Windows of Opportunity.”
“We wanted to make the window campaign something that everyone can be a part of,” said Tracy Johnson, Director of Strategy and Support at the Calgary Public Library Foundation. “It is a great community initiative where Calgarians can leave their mark on the library while supporting its future.”
The campaign provides Calgarians a window of opportunity to be a part of the largest civic project since the ’88 Olympics. Individuals, organizations and groups can purchase one of the New Central Library’s unique windows and in return, leave their mark by adding their name, a quote or a phrase to the edges of the window.
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| Generational Windows can be sponsored for $5,000. The sponsors name, quote or phrase (up to 200 characters) will be placed along two edges of the window. |
In support of the Calgary Public Library, Sandstone Energy, a division of Utility Network and Partners Inc. (UTILITYnet) recently purchased a personal window, inscribed with the message “Dare to Dream.”
“I wanted to support the Calgary Public Library because it is an extremely important part of my life,” said Madeline Low, co-founder of UTILITYnet. “I am a first-generation Chinese immigrant to Canada. When I was young, and new to the country, I spent a lot of time reading books. Books gave me insight into what I could accomplish in Canada and the stories told will open up a new world to people that they never knew existed before.”
“UTILITYnet wouldn’t be here today if we didn’t dare to dream. Together, Nick and I dreamt of creating our own retail business, but at the time it was impossible. Nothing was set up for small retailers like us to enter the market. We kept dreaming and envisioning what we could do if we somehow got over the hurdles in front of us. Now, we are celebrating 40 years in Alberta’s energy market,” she said.
“If you cannot dream, if you cannot visualize yourself in a specific situation, you will never get there. The library and its programs encourage people of all walks of life to dare to dream.”
In addition to the Windows of Opportunity campaign, Calgarians have a number of other ways they can show their support for the Calgary Public Library. The library accepts one-time or monthly donations online, legacy giving, stock and security donations, book donations, Air Mile donations, and much more. Library-lovers can also encourage their friends and family to sign up for a free membership, or join them on their next library visit. Click here to make a donation or for more information.
Using Utilities to Support the Calgary Public Library Foundation
The newest addition to the online store is the sale of energy.
In partnership with Sandstone Energy, the Calgary Public Library Foundation can offer Calgarians competitive rates for electricity, natural gas and green energy. UTILITYnet has guaranteed that all net income from the sale of electricity and natural gas through Sandstone Energy will be donated to the Calgary Public Library for the next 10 years.
“We are delighted about our new partnership with Sandstone Energy, which will provide Calgarians with a new, innovative way to support the Library while saving money on their energy bill,” said Elizabeth Reade, Director, Community Partnerships at the Calgary Public Library Foundation.
Very few people have heard of UTILITYnet, but the company has been active in Alberta’s energy industry for over four decades and sells electricity to consumers in over 300 communities across Alberta.
The donated income from Sandstone Energy has the potential to greatly impact the growth and long-term viability of the public library in a positive way. Every customer that switches their energy provider to Sandstone Energy, will provide an enduring means of supporting the public library – while paying similar or lesser rates for the energy delivered to their homes.
“With this program, consumers can feel good about where they purchase their energy,” said Nick Clark, co-founder of UTILITYnet. “Some Calgarians may have wanted to support the library in the past, but their budget didn’t allow it. Now they can give back, without spending any extra money.”
Why would UTILITYnet donate 10 years of Sandstone’s net income profits?
“Looking towards the future, in 2027 UTILITYnet will celebrate our 50th year in business as a private Alberta energy company,” said Low. “We are hopeful that this unique donation and gift will result in thousands upon thousands of dollars being donated and used to help others in realizing their dreams.”
To switch and support the Calgary Public Library Foundation today, click here