Awards Received

2007

Immigrants of Distinction Award from the Calgary Immigrant Aid Society, in the category of Organizational Diversity, for being "an organization that has made outstanding achievements in implementing diversity initiatives in the workplace or has made significant contributions in serving ethnically diverse client groups." The Library's submission highlighted many of CPL's achievements in services to new Canadians and the World Languages community.

Premier's Education Award, recognizing a significant contribution in making Library programs and facilities barrier-free. This award was part of the Premier's Council Awards of Excellence program.

Marshall Cavendish Excellence in Library Programming Award, for the program, "It's a Crime Not to Read," presented at the American Library Association Annual Conference. The programming award has been given out since 2000, and the Calgary Public Library was the first Canadian library to win.

Bronze medal in the Summit International Marketing Awards, for the Library's "Cheap & Easy" advertising campaign, which promoted the two most popular features of using the Library.

Best Costume Award, from the Calgary Stampede Parade Association, for innovative costuming in the Library's parade entry.

2006

John Cotton Dana Award, for outstanding library public relations. The Library was honoured for its 2006 program, "The Great Alberta Reading Challenge," in which all libraries across the province were invited to join in a friendly competition with prizes for the highest participation.

Community Spirit Award – Large Organization, from the Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre of Calgary (DDRC), recognizing the Library for genuinely welcoming all persons - including those with developmental disabilities - to enjoy the programs and services the Calgary Public Library offers.

SirsiDynix Building Better Communities Award, recognizing the innovative use of technology to improve communities. The Library was one of five libraries out of 130 nominations worldwide to receive this inaugural award sponsored by software maker SirsiDynix.

Third Place Award Winner - Most Creative Design in Calgary Stampede Parade, for the "The World at Your Doorstep" theme.

2005

Alberta Library Trustees Association Honorary Life Membership Award: Judith Umbach, Calgary Public Library Board Chair, for providing ongoing excellent service to the community by:

• Providing leadership in the library community
• Serving as a trustee in public libraries or public library systems in the province, or making a significant contribution to the library community
• Serving libraries in capacities beyond their local library or system board
• Exhibiting a strong, supportive, trusting relationship with their library staff

Alberta Library Trustees Association Award of Excellence to the Calgary Public Library Board, acknowleding library boards that have enabled and supported their libraries to provide ongoing excellent service to their communities over a five-year period.

Calgary Educational Partnership Foundation, Mayor's Excellence Award, presented to the Library and our partners (the Calgary Police Service, the Calgary Board of Education, the Calgary Separate School District, and the Rotary Clubs of Calgary South, East, and Sarcee), in the category of Literacy Support and Enhancement for the, "It's a Crime Not to Read" program.

John Cotton Dana Award, for outstanding library public relations. Billed as the most prestigious award of the American Library Association, the Library was honoured for its ongoing efforts to reach out to people and attract new library users through mass-media advertising and targeted promotions. The Calgary Public Library first won the John Cotton Dana Award in 2002, which marked the first time since the 1970s a non-U.S. library received the prize.

2004

Alberta Region Steel Design Award, from The Canadian Institute of Steel Construction, was presented to the Crowfoot Library branch and its architects for innovative use of structural steel.

Community Spirit Award of Distinction, from the Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre of Calgary (DDRC), recognizing the Library's "Open For All" staff training and Accessible Library Experience (ALEX) workstations. These awards recognize people and organizations that provide increasing opportunities for Calgarians with developmental disabilities to participate in the community.

Lighthouse Award, from the Calgary Board of Education, in positive recognition of our partnerships. The award recognizes businesses and organizations that help to enhance learning opportunities for Calgary Board of Education students and staff. Five specific programs were recognized by this award including: Reading Buddies, Read With Me, Computer Buddies, It's a Crime Not to Read, and Connect Teens.

2003

The Premier's Award of Excellence, for the Alberta Public Library Electronic Network. The Calgary Public Library is a founding member of this group, which works to share access and electronic resources among libraries throughout the province.

The Calgary Award for Accessibility, recognizing the Shawnessy and Fish Creek Libraries as facilities that exceed requirements for accessibility by persons with disabilities.

The Library Association of Alberta's Award of Excellence in Library Service, acknowledging the outstanding work done to reverse a 10-year trend of declining Library use in Calgary's East sector.

The Calgary Heritage Award, recognizing the Library's role in raising awareness of Calgary's rich history through the "Cornerstones" and "Then and Now" columns in the Calgary Herald, and the "Home Sweet Heritage Home" and "A Virtual tour of Historic Calgary" sections in the Library's website.

Immigrants of Distinction Award from the Calgary Immigrant Aid Society, in the category of Organizational Diversity, acknowledging the Library's contributions to new Canadians living in Calgary through multi-language and ESL materials, services, and programs.