Students

Meet Engine 23

Calgary Public Library’s first play and learning experience for ages 0 – 12

Engine 23 Opening Party

Sound the alarm! Don’t miss the Engine 23 Opening Party on April 20. The decommissioned firetruck is a showstopper as Calgary Public Library welcomes the community to engage in the experience and visit the newly renovated Fish Creek Library.

Activities will begin at 10:00 am and will include a visit from the Fire Hound Mascot, face painting, live music, and Family Storytime.

Enjoy special Engine 23 activities every Saturday from April 20 – May 11.

What is Engine 23?

Engine 23 is a decommissioned Calgary Fire Department pumper truck that was part of the Early Learning Centre at the old Central Library. Since the opening of the new Central Library in 2018, Engine 23 has been waiting to find its new home.

Installed on the second floor of Fish Creek Library between the Early Learning Centre and Questionarium, Engine 23 is an immersive, full-body play experience for children.

This is an exciting opportunity to reimagine the Engine 23 play and learning experience that is unique to Fish Creek Library and able to be enjoyed by all ages. An accessible cab with a universal design provides children and parents who are unable to access the fire truck a way to engage in the Engine 23 experience.

Engine 23 Activities

Saturday, April 20

10:15 am - 10:45 am	Family Storytime
11:00 am - 12:00 pm	Music with Mandy
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm	Fire Hound Mascot Visit
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm	Face Painters
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm	Hula Hoop Workshop

Saturday, April 27

10:15 am - 10:45 am	Family Storytime
11:00 am - 12:00 pm	Live Performance - The Crickettes
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm	Princess Visit
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm	Lady Buggy, Bug Room

Saturday, May 4

10:15 am - 10:45 am	Opera 212
11:00 am - 12:00 pm	Mad Science
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm	Super Hero Visit
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm	Reptile Parties

Saturday, May 11

10:15 am - 10:45 am	Family Storytime
11:00 am - 12:00 pm	Puddle of Mud
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm	Face Painters
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm	Juggling Workshop

The Engine 23 experience

Kids ages 0 – 12 will find age-appropriate and fun ways to engage in imaginative play and learning, with a hands-on approach to literacy skill-building and safety education. Our young patrons will be able to:

Interact with a real, retired fire engine; listen to pre-recorded, fake emergency calls, lights and sounds
Climb inside the back of the cab to interact with real switches and levers
Explore the upper level of the truck with a large map and small fire truck toys for children to learn navigation and map reading
Try and “beat the clock” getting dressed up in fire gear
Pretend to be firefighters in an imagination area
Get Low and Go! Crawl through the tunnel and learn what to do in an emergency
Enjoy storytimes with real Calgary Fire Department firefighters

Engine 23 is a partnership between Calgary Public Library and the Calgary Fire Department, and generously supported by the Calgary Public Library Foundation. You can learn more about the plans behind this play and learning experience and help Calgary Public Library get a ladder up on literacy by visiting the Calgary Public Library Foundation online.