A program of Catholic Social Services
to support Temporary Foreign Workers
and their families
Every 2nd and 4th
Thursday of the
month. Olds Public Library
4901 50th Avenue
Call for an appointment
403 346-8818
(Thursdays)
403 348-1728
English Language Learning (ELL) @ your
library
We want to help everyone in our community. The Library has special programs
for people who want to practice their English.
We can
also help you find an English class or tutor. Please come to the library for
more
information.
ELL Programs and Services
English Language Learning Mentor Program
The ELL Mentor Program is for people who would like a new friend to practice their English with!
Anyone interested in having a new friend to practice English with can fill out a form at the library. We will match you with the person who can best practice with you.
This program is offered free of charge.
Coffee, Culture & Conversation
This program is for people who are wanting to practice their English, and for people who want to help others to practice their English.
The first cup of coffee is free of charge (provided by Welcoming Communities).
Dates: SecondTuesday of Every Month (September 9th, October 14th, November
18th and December 9th). Time: 7:00pm Location: Bean Brokers (4513 52 Avenue Olds 403-556-1069).
Multilingual Books: The Library has books written in many languages - not just English. In our library building we have books written in Spanish and French. We also have books in 30 different languages that we can have sent to the library at no cost. Please ask the library staff for more information.
Family Literacy Kits:Coming Soon! We have kits of books and games to help your family learn English together. The kits are written in your own language to help you understand more. We offer kits in Spanish, Tagalog, Hindi, Dutch and Mandarin. Please ask the libray staff for more information.
Auralog: You can use a computer to help you learn English, or another language, with Auralog: TELL ME MORE software. Learn and practice reading, writing, listening and speaking at home, or in the library. Please ask the library staff for more information.
Adult Readers: Adult Reader Books are shorter, easier to understand versions of popular and classic books. There are 7 levels of difficulty, and some books have a cassette tape to listen to while you read. Enjoy the same books everyone is reading!
Movies: We have many movies (DVD and VHS) to borrow at the library. We have some movies in other languages, and many movies in English. We can also have movies in other languages sent to the library. Please talk to the library staff about what movies we have.
Library Services
There are many things the library can do for you! We can answer your questions, help you set up an e-mail address, and more!
Computers: We have 7 computers you can use for free! All our computers have Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger so you can talk to people around the world. We also have a special computer for business and school work. We have free wireless internet if you have your own laptop. If you need help using our computers, please ask, we are happy to help. Please talk to the library staff for more information.
Printing, Photocopying, Faxing: You can print computer files at the library! For a page we charge $0.20; for black and white and $1.50 for colour. We can also make photocopies for $0.10; a page. If you need to send a fax, we can do that too! It costs $1.00 a page to fax to a Canadian number, or $1.50 a page to send to another country. You can get faxes sent to the library too; it costs $1.00 a page. Ask the library staff for more information.
Programs: The library holds many events for people of all ages. For the full list, please click here and see the different types we offer.
Some programs that might be useful to you are:
We want to hold a conversation group at Bean Brokers coffee shop. You will learn about different countries and be able to practice English with other people. Times to be announced.
Our Story Time Hour is for children 3-5 years old. It helps them learn to like reading. We read together, play games and make something fun!
We have a Family Games Night on the last Thursday of every month. Play a game together at the library. ArtSparks! is about making art to share with the community.
If you want to learn to use a computer, we can help! We have one-to-one courses (one teacher, one student) on many different programs.
For more information on any of our programs, please talk to a library staff member.
Join the Library
Many services - like computer use - are free at the library. You do not have to join. But some things need a library card:
To use Auralog software for free
To take as many books and kits home as you want (You can read them without a card in the library)
To take home movies
For many programs
With your library card, you can keep books for 3 weeks, and movies for 1 week. If you are late bringing back your books or movies, you will get a fine. The fine will be $0.25 for each book or movie, for everyday it is late. If you want your book for longer, you can renew your book - ask the library how. If you damage the book or movie - like get water on it - you will have to pay for a new one.
It costs $17.00 for one library card for a year. It is $20.00 for a family membership for a year - you get as many cards as you need (if there are 5 people in your family, you get 5 cards). If you are a student, and have your student ID card, it is $10.00 for a year. If you are more than 65 years old, it is $12.00 for a year.
To sign up for a card you will need your name, address and phone number. You can also include your e-mail address.
If you don't have enough money for a library card, you might be able to use the Families in Need Program. Please talk to the library staff for more information.
Useful Links
Olds Neighbourhood Place - Information on the town of Olds and it's community. Here you can find out about local businesses, and services, volunteer information and more.
Centre For Employment - Find work and help at the "c4e", based in Olds. click on "Job Seekers" for a list of jobs.
Mountain View Family Literacy - They offer tutoring and ESL classes, programs for children and more. They are located in Olds.
C.A.R.E. - Central Alberta Refugee Effort: help for people new to Alberta. They are located in Red Deer, which is one hour, by car, north of Olds. They have ESL classes, interpretors/translators, Friends and Host programs, and much more. Visit their website for more information, or e-mail them at care2@telusplanet.net.
