Library School, hosted at the Central branch of the Calgary Public Library, offers students and teachers a chance to explore a big question in a rich environment of local art, books, Indigenous placemaking, and learning through play.
Located near Mohkinstsis, the place where the Elbow and Bow Rivers meet, Fort Calgary, and historic streets such as Stephen Avenue, students can see the history of our city firsthand while exploring the ways that it continues to change and evolve. The architecture and design of the building are used as a jumping off point to inspire students towards their own creation.
The Central Library is home to a variety of in-residence programs including historians, artists, and musicians that students can learn from. Our Elders Guidance Circle gives students a chance to meet with Treaty 7 Nation Elders. Other experts that students have met with include librarians, the selectors that curate the collection, and the social workers who staff our Wellness Desk.
At Library school, students will also discover how the public library can be a support in their learning and beyond that will be accessible to them throughout their lives. One of our most common comments at the end of a week is that students are amazed at how much the public library has to offer beyond a great selection of books, and it inspires them to come back to Central or other Calgary Public Library locations with their families.
Some big questions explored at Library School include:
- How does where we live affect how we live?
- How can cities design and plan for a better world?
- How do we connect to change in a good way?
- How does interaction with media impact thoughts, opinions, and decision making?
- What is literacy?
- What is the story of our land?
