Canada for Newcomers
If you’re a newly arrived immigrant to Canada, chances are that things here are pretty different from home. So here’s some information that you may find useful on a resource you may or may not have had in your country of origin:
Public Libraries
If I had to name the most useful service I’ve used as an immigrant, this would be it.
No matter what other service you need, your local library can help you find it. All you have to do is to ask for help at the service desk and a librarian be more than happy to look for the information you need.
Canadian libraries carry more than just dusty old books -- they have movies, video games, magazines, you name it – and some of it is in other languages. They even have material that you can use online and programs and activities for all ages, interests, and needs.
Programs can be about anything and everything under the sun – story time for children, game night, conversation circles for ESL learners, a presentation on how you can make your garden bee-friendly, a movie or documentary night, classes on how to use a certain technology (e-readers, the internet, a certain computer program, etc), book clubs, the list goes on. If you’re moving somewhere where there’s a high population of people who speak your language, your library may even have story time in your language!
Note: What programs you have access to will depend on what your library has to offer at the moment.
Most libraries also have settlement help, and those that don’t are more than happy to pass along information for you on your local settlement service.
If you’re moving to Alberta, you can find a list of the libraries in the province (and their websites) here. If your new home isn’t on the list, don’t worry! All towns have the right to use their nearest library. And all Albertans have the right to an Alberta Library card, which allows you to ask for material from any participating library.
And the best part? It’s all free!!!
