Calgary is home to one of the largest Ukrainian communities in North America, which has created a need and opportunity for the development of specialized library and cultural resources in Ukrainian. The city offers a unique combination of specialized Ukrainian libraries, digital resources from public libraries, and educational programs that together form a comprehensive network of Ukrainian-language library services.
📚 Mykola Vorona Library and Archives
The largest Ukrainian library outside Ukraine 📍 404 Meredith Road NE (St. Vladimir Cultural Center)
Collection:
- Over 13,000 books
- Hundreds of periodicals
- Video collection
- Maps and posters
- Archival materials
Unique documents:
- Copy of the Peresopnytsia Gospel (1556–1561)
- One of six copies of the Constitution of Pylyp Orlyk (1710)
Support from organizations:
- Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada (Olga Basarabova Branch)
- Ukrainian Pioneers Association of Alberta
- Shevchenko Foundation
- Ukrainian Canadian Association of Alberta
- Alberta Ukrainian Education Foundation
- St. John's Heritage Foundation
Government support programs:
- STEP (2018)
- Canada Summer Jobs (2019–2021)
Online catalog: woronlibrary.wordpress.com
📖 Calgary Public Library
Ukrainian Digital Collection (OverDrive)
- Children's, teen, and adult books in Ukrainian
- For example:
- Azhnabia on the Red Car
- Voroshilovgrad
- Temnolis (Nadiya Shirin)
- Collection “Ukrainian Books 2024”
LOTE4Kids program
- 65+ languages, including Ukrainian
- App: App Store / Google Play
Expansion of Ukrainian-language collections
“We have expanded, for example, our Ukrainian- and Russian-language materials...” — Mary Kapusta, Director of CPL
Support for newcomers:
- Access to 99 Ukrainian-language electronic resources
- Hundreds of free programs and services
- Orientation for ESL and newcomers
PressReader
- Newspapers and magazines in Ukrainian (last 3 months)
🎓 Ukrainian schools and language programs
Ridna Shkola
📍 704 – 6th Street N.E. 🕘 Saturdays 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Program
- Ukrainian language and literature
- History, geography, culture
Preschool “Sadok”
📍 St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Sobor
- Children 3–5 years old
- Language, songs, dances, folklore
- Summer camps
Language courses for adults
📍 St. Stephen Protomartyr Ukrainian Catholic Church
- 5 levels, online + offline
- 💰 Cost: $140 (adults), $80 (youth)
- Classes: Thursdays, September–November
Conversation clubs: Sponsor: Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada (Olga Basarab)
🖼️ Ukrainian museums and archives
Ukrainian Museum of Canada — Calgary Collection
📍 St. Vladimir Cultural Centre Collection:
- Embroidery, carpets, costumes
- Pysanky
- Pioneer artifacts
Services:
- Tours for schools and communities
- Master classes
- Gift shop
Archival materials
The Vorona Library also serves as an archive for the Calgary and western Canada community.
🌐 Online access and digital resources
Social support network
📍 St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Sobor Offers:
- Volunteer ESL courses
- Clubs for newcomers
- General advice on adaptation
Digital Literacy Exchange Program
📍 Calgary Catholic Immigration Society
- Classes in Ukrainian and English
🏫 Other Alberta resources
Ukrainian Resource and Development Centre (URDC)
📍 MacEwan University (Edmonton)
- Resources for Ukrainians in Alberta
- Intercultural initiatives
Provincial Archives of Alberta
- Ukrainian community documents (since the 1880s)
- Available online for Calgary residents
🆘 Support for newcomers
Calgary Welcome Centre
📍 Room 24, 833 44 Street SE 🕕 Thursday, 6:00–8:00 p.m. Offers:
- ESL at all levels
- Life skills
- Community resources
Calgary Learns
- Programs for Ukrainian evacuees
- Adult education for those with financial barriers
📈 Challenges and opportunities
The Fifth Book campaign
- Goal: $1,000,000
- Objective: to renew the Calgary Public Library's collection
- 📚 The average price of a book has increased by 20% since 2019
Need for digitization
- Old Ukrainian publications need to be preserved
- Example: microfilming of Ukrainian-Canadian press
🧭 How to access
Mykola Vorona Library:
- 📞 403-264-3437
- 📍 404 Meredith Road NE
- 🚶 Visits by appointment or during business hours
Calgary Public Library:
- Free library card
- Access to:
- OverDrive
- LOTE4Kids
- PressReader
🙋 Volunteering
The Vorona Library is looking for volunteers to:
- Sort cards
- Label books
- Enter data into the database
- Rearrange bookshelves
✅ Conclusion
Calgary offers a unique and comprehensive network of Ukrainian-language library, archival, and cultural resources—from the largest Ukrainian library outside of Ukraine to modern digital platforms and educational programs. It is a powerful tool for preserving cultural heritage and supporting the integration of Ukrainians in Canada.