When you go to a library you expect to find rows and rows of books, but they are nowhere to be found at Calgary Public Library’s (CPL) newest location.
The city’s library system officially opened its first all-digital library in the northeast community of Skyview Ranch on Wednesday — the new location is free for all Calgarians and offers many digital services.
“It is a prototype location and is responding to some of the growing community needs in northeast Calgary,” says CPL CEO Sarah Meilleur.
She says the digital-only location is opening in advance of a large-scale full-time new library in Skyview Ranch in partnership with the city. The new location is set to be completed by 2026.
The temporary spot is part of a pilot project that aims to provide digital services to the community, from computers and printers, to solo pods for people to read on their tablets, or take some English lessons.
Ward 5 councillor Raj Dhaliwal stopped by the grand opening to show his support for the project.
“Literacy is changing with the new generation,” he says. “I grew up reading books. My children read books, but they read books digitally.”
“It’s hard for them to sit down for more than five minutes, so having this kind of concept where you have solo pods, these rooms, people can come in and borrow a chromebook and other digital equipment. This encouraging and catering to their needs and habits.”