Calgary Library Celebrates 96 Years Among Volunteers

The Calgary Public Library is celebrating three special volunteers who have been lending a helping hand for more than 50 years.

Carolyn Arrell, 83, Norma High, 91, and Nellie Befus, 96, all began volunteering in 1974 with the organization's Homebound Reader program, bringing books to the library for people unable to visit the library themselves.

Befus said he was the first to sign up to help deliver the books.

“I don't drive, so I walked, took transit, biked,” he said. “You have a basket or something and stick (the books) in there.

“I was proud to be able to do it, and when I started, I never thought I'd be doing it for 50 years. I liked everything, I didn't have a single bad person or crazy (person) or anything. Everything happened. really good.”

In 1998, the library began tracking how many hours people volunteered and estimated that three women had contributed more than 5,700 hours.

“When Nellie started, she was one of the original five,” said Chelsea Murray, the library's program and volunteer planning manager.

“He's really invested in this program and volunteering.”

On Tuesday, the Calgary Public Library celebrated 50 years of women with an anniversary gift.

“We went out to see each of them at their homes, and we brought them flowers,” Murray said.

“We're putting some stories about them in the library news, Instagram stories, and really trying to (share) their stories and hear what they've seen volunteering at the library.”

Befus lives at Aspen Lodge in northeast Calgary and currently directs the Library in Residence program there. Every few months, library staff drop off books and she makes sure residents get what they're looking for.

“I sit here, open the doors, and people come in and take library books, and I check them out,” Befus said. “I got a card for everyone who wanted a book.”

Befus has run the Aspen Lodge library for 12 years and admits that there aren't as many people turning down books as they used to be, as many read on their tablets, including her.

He says it's time to let someone else take over.

“That's it, excuse me, but I'm going to help the new bride coming in and help her get started,” he said. “I'm not so good anymore and I'm so tired.”

The Calgary Public Library is always looking for volunteers.

“If anyone wants to volunteer, we want them to apply,” Murray said.

“We have so many programs that people can volunteer in, there's something for everyone, something to suit skills, interests, location … and we really welcome anyone to apply.”

In 2023, the Calgary Public Library saw more than 2,400 volunteers who gave more than 48,000 hours of their time to support its various programs.

For more information, visit the Calgary Public Library website.