10 of the coolest things to check out at Calgary's New Central Library (PHOTOS)

Nov 27 2018, 10:03 pm

Calgary’s newest library is open and ready to serve the public.

This building is also the city’s biggest library, and there are tons of awesome features and learning resources here for people to take full advantage of.

Below is a list of just a few of them, so make sure you check them out on your next visit!

Calgary’s Story

library

Lucas Taylor

On the forth level of the library is a section known as Calgary’s Story, which is a collection of books by local authors, information about the area, and an accessible archive of our city’s history through books, newspapers, and magazines.

If you want to know anything and everything there is to know about Calgary, this is the spot to check out.

Indigenous Placemaking

library

Lucas Taylor

There are three significant art spaces in the new Central Library that were created by six artists, all from, or with connections to, Treaty 7 First Nations.

Keegan Starlight, Kalum Teke Dan, and Roland Rollinmud collaborated on the beautiful mural pictured above that greets visitors as they enter the building.

Lionel Peyachew created a bison constructed from metal letters spelling out various words in Indigenous languages. This work of art stands just inside the civic concourse.

Glenna Cardinal made a beautiful table and furniture for the Elder’s Guardian Circle on level 4, which is accompanied by a text-based art piece by Brittney Bear Hat.

library

Lucas Taylor

According to the Calgary Library website, the library is committed to promoting educational equity between First Nations people and the urban community of Calgary and hopes that Placemaking will help build a bridge between these communities.

“Through the Indigenous Placemaking, Calgary Public Library hopes to make new Central Library a place for sharing and gathering and to develop artwork that will promote an understanding of the history of the Treaty 7 lands past and present from the Indigenous perspective,” the website reads.

Art is everywhere

library

Lucas Taylor

Seriously though, anywhere there could be art, there is art.

From sculptures and models in glass cases to intricate and detailed patterns along the walls of the washroom, to a giant mural of a goldfish made from countless books, the library is a treasure trove for the artistic eye — and for photographers.

Resources for job searching

library

Lucas Taylor

There is a section of the library that is entirely devoted to professional education. If you need a book about law or business, they’ve got you covered.

To top that off though, the library also offers free workbooks for anyone to take and work through to learn skills ranging from how to choose an occupation, how to plan for formal education, how to ace an interview, and how to be a valuable employee.

The architecture

library

Lucas Taylor

It’s, without a doubt, the first thing you’ll notice.

This building is actually an architectural marvel to behold. Its ascending design is meant to appear approachable and inviting, and it indeed feels that way.

Not only is the design of the building open and creative, but much of the building materials used in its construction are from ethical and responsible sources — finally, floors and furniture you can feel good about!

Plenty of seating and study areas

library

Lucas Taylor

A library really isn’t complete unless there is some dedicated space for you to take your books and other learning materials and actually use them.

The new Central Library has seating in all kinds of varieties from traditional study desks, to enclosed booths, to open tables, to comfy chairs tucked away in little nooks and crannies.

Whatever your preferred method of sitting while you study might be, you’ll be sure to find something that fits the bill.

Project rooms

library

Lucas Taylor

You can book rooms for meetings, classes, or project use at the new library.

What makes them even better is that you don’t only have access to the room, but also to the hardware and software you might need to see your project through.

Whether you’re filming a video and need a green screen or you’re recording a podcast and need a silent room to work in, you can work on your projects right in the library for free.

Wide open space

library

Lucas Taylor

There are very few places in this new building that feel compact or small. Most of the rooms feel wide open and welcoming, encouraging you to walk around and explore.

This is great because there’s just so much to see that, if you didn’t take the time to wander around, you would definitely miss something amazing.

That being said, if you want to feel a little cozier, you have options as well, including secluded corners and reading nooks. There are also some unconventional cozy reading spots, too. Want to study for your exams in a tipi? You can do just that!

LUKES cafe

library

Lucas Taylor

The days of bringing coffee with you into the library and hoping that nobody yells at you because of it are finally over.

You can get a coffee and a snack right inside the library at LUKES, and if you need something more substantial, there’s a fuller cafe space accessible from an exterior entrance.

Programs

library

Lucas Taylor

One of the more exciting parts of the new library is the auditoriums that are built right into it. From these, there are lots of programs that are free to attend and available to everyone.

Ranging from career coaching to technology workshops to meet-the-author events, there are all kinds of awesome things to check out.

Some programs require registration as space may be limited, but if it’s happening at the library, you won’t have to pay for it.

See also

Lucas TaylorLucas Taylor

+ Arts
+ Calgarians
+ Public Art
+ Photos
ADVERTISEMENT