Calgary’s Famous Mega-Library Is Finally Reopening Its Air Conditioned Doors

If you've been absolutely dying to set up shop at the library, your wish has come true. As of Tuesday, July 7, fifteen public libraries in Calgary have reopened their doors to the public. This includes the massive Calgary Central Library that's single-handedly gotten locals excited about libraries again. 

Public libraries in Alberta were given the green light to welcome people again on June 12.

But it took Calgary's libraries a little more time to get ready to open their doors to booklovers. 

Better late than never, of course. 

On June 23, the city reopened Forest Lawn, Crowfoot, and Fish Creek libraries, according to the announcement. A week later on June 29, locals were allowed to visit the Central, Giuffre Family, and Signal Hill libraries. 

Finally, on Tuesday, seven other libraries were given the go-ahead to reopen their doors. They include Bowness, Country Hills, Memorial Park, Nicholls Family, Nose Hill, Louise Riley, Sage Hill, Southwood, and Judith Umbach libraries. 

If you've been looking for a push to help you get through your summer reading list, this is your moment. 

But just because you can finally camp out at your local libraries for hours on end doesn't mean things are totally back to how you remember. 

According to the announcement, many of these libraries have limited hours. Be sure to call up your preferred library and give their website a scan before you decide to cancel all your plans to spend a Saturday there. 

If you're a fan of Calgary Central Library (and who isn't, really), it will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. every Monday to Thursday. 

The weekend hours are a little shorter. On Fridays, it's 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Saturdays, it's 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays, you can visit between 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

A couple of other things will be different, too. Book return chutes are a no-no. Same with booking rooms or in-person events and book donations. 

The in-person services that will be available at reopened libraries include computer access, printing services, checking out books, and seating. 

The libraries will continue with curbside pick-ups so you can still pick up your favourite books without needing to enter the premises. 

All in all, this paradise for book-lovers is back in business.

Say goodbye to reading small text on your phone and get ready to mass check-out books this summer.