Olds Municipal Library

Olds Municipal Library Vibrant hub of the community. Accessible doorway to technology, print materials and programs. Advocates of sustainability

Olds & District Municipal Library

As early as 1895 a group of people, interested in reading for entertainment and education had organized and opened a library and public reading room. In 1954, the Baron Tweedsmuir Chapter IODE began to work to promote community interest in a Public Library. Excerpt from minutes of May 1954 “The Baron Tweedsmuir Chapter, Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire put

a motion on their books to do all in their power to establish a Public Library in Olds.”

In 1958, the old Bank of Commerce building became available. It was offered to the IODE as a home for the Olds Municipal Library. Nearly 800 books were donated and Lee Street held processing bees in her home. The Olds Municipal Library officially opened on June 6, 1959 with over 1000 books. Membership for a family was $2.00 annually, individuals $1.00. The library was open 8 hours per week with services provided by local organizations. It is interesting to note that by the end of 1959 there were 170 memberships and the circulation of books was 4336 for a six month period. The need for a public library was evident. In comparison, at the end of 2008 our borrowers numbered 4072, our total collection is over 38,000 and our circulation was nearly 80,000. The library was temporarily closed in 1960 as the library service and finances were becoming a real burden for the volunteer organizations. In 1961 the library was reopened and a list of 8 regular librarians was established, stabilizing the service. Financing was still a problem but in 1963 a new per capita grant was provided by the province which eased the situation. With the establishment of Provincial Regional Libraries, after much discussion it became evident that benefit could be obtained by inclusion in a larger unit. The Library Board recommended to Town Council that Olds Municipal Library become affiliated with Parkland Regional Library, and this affiliation became effective Jan. 1st, 1970. In 1982 we moved to our current location at 5217-52 Street. This building project was spearheaded by the Kiwanis Club of Olds. Spring 2004 we consulted Parkland to do a study on the feasibility of expanding our current location due to the increase in library usage. We are pleased to report that as of October 2009, construction of the expanded library will begin and October 2010 will see us in our newly expanded building.

We just wanted to take a moment to shout out our awesome Summer Reading Club volunteers! Thank you so much, Madi and Ann...
08/21/2026

We just wanted to take a moment to shout out our awesome Summer Reading Club volunteers! Thank you so much, Madi and Anna, for all your hard work and dedication to making this summer at the library such a success! We appreciate you two! 🌞🌻📚

✨STAFF PICKS SHOWDOWN✨It's officially FINALS WEEK!Where can you vote?On our website: https://www.oldslibrary.ca/events-1...
08/17/2026

✨STAFF PICKS SHOWDOWN✨
It's officially FINALS WEEK!

Where can you vote?
On our website: https://www.oldslibrary.ca/events-1/olds-library-staff-picks-showdown or in person at the library!

FINALS Voting: Aug 17 - 22
Road of Bones by Demi Winters
VS
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

WINNER ANNOUNCED: August 26!

The staff at Olds Library have chosen a book they think you would love to read, and we want you to vote on which one EVERYONE should read!

Each week throughout the summer, starting July 6, vote on your favorite between two titles. We'll tally and announce the winner of each bracket the following week.

***DISCLAIMER: not all titles in the Showdown are appropriate for all ages; participation is recommended for ages 18+.

✨STAFF PICKS SHOWDOWN✨The staff at Olds Library have chosen a book they think you would love to read, and we want you to...
08/12/2026

✨STAFF PICKS SHOWDOWN✨
The staff at Olds Library have chosen a book they think you would love to read, and we want you to vote on which one EVERYONE should read!

Each week throughout the summer, starting July 6, vote on your favorite between two titles. We'll tally and announce the winner of each bracket the following week.

***DISCLAIMER: not all titles in the Showdown are appropriate for all ages; participation is recommended for ages 18+.

Where can you vote?
On our website: https://www.oldslibrary.ca/events-1/olds-library-staff-picks-showdown or in person at the library!

Semi-Finalist Group 2 Voting: Aug 10 - 15
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
VS
What you are looking for is in the library by Michiko Aoyama

We had SUCH a great time with Medicine River Wildlife Centre today! Thank you Erin and Olive the Owl for teaching us how...
08/11/2026

We had SUCH a great time with Medicine River Wildlife Centre today! Thank you Erin and Olive the Owl for teaching us how to protect our wildlife! 🦉

P.S. Keep a look out for the special Otis the Owl picture books as they will be hitting our shelves soon! 📚

OLIVE THE OWL from Medicine River Wildlife Centre is coming to Olds Library!Tuesday, August 11 @ 2:30pmAges 6 - 12/Famil...
08/06/2026

OLIVE THE OWL from Medicine River Wildlife Centre is coming to Olds Library!
Tuesday, August 11 @ 2:30pm
Ages 6 - 12/Families | FREE | Drop-In

This educational event is geared towards ages 6 - 12.
Families are welcome to bring and supervise younger guests.

TEEN BOOK CLUB!Wednesday, August 19, 6:30 - 8:00pmAges 13 - 17 | FREE | Registration requiredhttps://www.oldslibrary.ca/...
08/05/2026

TEEN BOOK CLUB!
Wednesday, August 19, 6:30 - 8:00pm
Ages 13 - 17 | FREE | Registration required
https://www.oldslibrary.ca/events-1/teen-book-club

Coming up we have a little story called Scythe by Neil Schusterman!
Looking for a copy? Check our online catalogue: https://itl.ink/Scythe
Not able to read it in time? Come to Teen Book Club anyways! We'll have a copy of September's book club waiting for you.

Psst: there will be snacks.

We are so appreciative of the work experience program and for our AMAZING student, Anna! She has been such a big help th...
08/05/2026

We are so appreciative of the work experience program and for our AMAZING student, Anna! She has been such a big help this summer and a great part of our team. 🌞❤️

It may be summer, but we're still making ! Let's catch up with Olds Koinonia Christian School grade 10 student Anna U.

Anna is gaining work experience at the Olds Municipal Library, where no two days look quite the same. Her daily tasks include organizing books and craft supplies, preparing for children's programs, and keeping materials clean and in order.

"I also help with the children's programs, which can be busy, but it's always a memorable part of my day," she says. "I enjoy how each day at the library is a little different from the last. I have learned a lot of new skills and made lots of memories."

For Anna, the placement has been about growth and discovery. "I've gained valuable work experience through this job placement, and it's helped me become more confident in a work setting. Being part of this program has opened my eyes to opportunities I hadn't considered before and has helped me feel more prepared for future jobs."

She's also quick to credit the people around her. "I'm grateful to the library staff for being so welcoming, supportive, and willing to teach me throughout this experience." Pictured with Anna is her direct supervisor, Jewel.

Work experience placements like this one give high school students the chance to build real-world skills, explore potential career paths, and gain confidence in a workplace setting while still in school.

If you are an employer, or know an employer who would be willing to help one of our great students build some valuable job experience, please contact Careers at www.careersnextgen.ca or 1-888-757-7172. CAREERS is a not-for-profit organization that partners with Chinook's Edge to guide youth into successful career pathways.

Address

5217 52 Street
Olds, AB
T4H1H7

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm
Saturday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

+14035566460

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