Are there any Ukrainian-language libraries or centers in Calgary?

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.