Nan Boothby Memorial Library - Cochrane, Alberta

Kamal K.

Great place to spend quality time.
Lots of books to read and ice ream shop nearby.

Chris K.

There are lots of programs that occur here often. This is a sign of a healthy community, so I’m not against it, but this library is small.

The most accurate description I can offer is that this is a community centre with books.

People come here to play their music and eat their dinner. I think the town should just rename this as a community centre and build an actual library somewhere else.

I gave it 2 stars because you can sign out books and other things; so it at least meets the minimum definition.

Practically speaking, this isn’t really a library. I’m happy that many people can get value from this place and I don’t want that taken away from them, but when you call this place a library, it sets certain expectations that it can’t realistically meet (beyond the ability to sign out books).

This is a sign that Cochrane is growing. The programs are great in that it creates and grows a sense of community. I love that. But it doesn’t make sense to have this done in a library and still call it a library. I’ve never seen this place quiet. Even in the middle of the day on a weekday.

Since it appears that I’m in the minority, it’s better for me to go to a different library in Calgary than to disrupt the greater number of people that derive good experiences here.

I hope that another library is built in Cochrane that is more like a traditional one so I don’t have to spend an hour of my day travelling to Calgary to get studying done.

Monique D.

Love the programs offered by the library and also the fact that they are free. I've participated in quite a few classes over the last couple of years. Art classes, indigenous classes, presentations. I loved them all. All had amazing instructors/ teachers and I've always felt welcome and comfortable. Thank you for offering all this to the people of Cochrane ❤️

Steve C.

I agree with many of the 5 star reviews and I don’t want to totally bomb the rating because of one issue. BUT there is criticism which is significant to me. Like any book store it seems like a majority of the resources stems from the left side of the political spectrum. And that’s fine. I can go to a Christian book store to find books that align with my values.

HOWEVER around the end of March for Transgender, they found it necessary to promote a rack of books promoting the transgender ideology. Especially egregious to me were two books in particular. One book was a CHILDREN’S book called I Am Jazz which is bad enough but another one aptly called Welcome to St. Hell. This latter book was an illustrated book (cartoon style) with one page of a fully nude female and another page portraying graphic sex. It’s disturbing to me that these two books are low enough on the shelf so children could easily access them.

I really don’t care what you choose to do with your body and sexuality if you’re an adult but for goodness sake, can’t we leave the children out of it?! I’m reminded of a song by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Choir called WE’RE COMING FOR YOUR CHILDREN! Is it too much to ask they not sexualize much of what kids can see? Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to take a neutral and bipartisan stance? Does the far left have to control much of what is pushed on us?

A C.

Exceptional library. Great staff, good activities for kids, and large variety on offer.

Julie R.

Wonderful, friendly, helpful staff. Great selection of rental equipment and tools. They are part of Marigold library services, so have access to lots of materials to read, listen and watch.

Brigitte N.

Got my library card from the most welcoming, pleasant and helpful staff! They answered all my questions and set me all up. The library is small but in addition to what you can normally check out from a library, they also have puzzles, games (+picnic games), power tools, gardening tools, sports equipment (lifevests and snowshoes) and a seed library! The staff also created various videos (very well done) to highlight those additional services. A well deserved 5 stars!!!
And there's no longer a fee for the library card or for late return, yay!

Thomas B.

The 3D printing service the library offers is fantastic! High-quality prints at an affordable price, and Bev, who runs the program at the time of writing, is amazing! I've needed her advice on a few of the prints I've completed so far, and she goes above and beyond to make the process easy.