Teachers’ Strike

School's Out Resources

While classrooms take a pause, the library is here with stories, learning, and a welcoming space for families.

Attention!

Unattended Child Policy

For their safety, children ages 8 and under must be with a responsible caregiver 16 years of age or older at all times. Children ages 9 and older may be left unattended, provided they are able to care for themselves and understand and follow library rules. Library employees cannot be responsible for their safety or supervision. – RDPL Board Policy 3.5

Get a Library Card!

Step one: Get your child a library card! It’s their all-access pass to learning while schools are closed (and while you're here, get one for yourself too!). Did we mention that library cards are FREE (yes, you read that right) for all Red Deer residents? What are you waiting for?!

Sign Up for a Library Card!

Sign up for a free library card and open up a world of adventure for you and your family!

Membership FAQs

  • Library cards are free for Red Deer residents! With a library membership, you have access to a world of books, magazines, newspapers, CDs, movies, eBooks, toys & games, online databases, public computers, RDPL programs and services, and more that is yours to discover!

    To apply for a library card or renew an existing card:

    • Gather Necessary Identification. Make sure that you have the necessary identification to apply for a library card. This must include one piece of picture ID or two other pieces of other ID. One piece of ID must show your current City of Red Deer address (driver’s license, tax receipt, utility bill, etc.).
    • Visit a Library Branch in Person. Find out which library branch is closest to you by checking our Hours & Locations, opens a new window page. Please note that the Collicutt Branch is primarily a self-serve branch, which means that library staff are typically not on site to do library card registrations. Visit the Downtown, Dawe, or Timberlands location to sign up for your library card.

    You may also need to pay the annual membership fee (for non-residents only) and any outstanding debts. 

    Adult memberships will be valid for three years. Memberships for children and teens will be valid until their 18th birthday. 

    RDPL membership cards may be used at all branches and online to access our digital resources. Please note: if you live outside of Red Deer, you won't be able to access many of our digital resources, including eBooks and eAudiobooks. Please contact Parkland Regional Library at LibraryServices@prl.ab.ca to find out what your regional library has to offer!

    Looking for digital content? You can register online for a temporary digital card, opens a new window, which will be valid for 30 days. You will need to stop by in person with ID (as outlined above) within 30 days in order to validate your account and receive your full permanent card.

  • You can register online for a temporary digital card, opens a new window, which will be valid for 30 days. This membership will let you try out any of our online resources, and is available to Red Deer residents ages 18+ only.

    Temporary digital library cards CANNOT be renewed online. You will need to stop by in person with ID (as outlined above) within 30 days in order to validate your account and receive your full (free!) permanent card.

  • To renew an existing card:

    • Gather Necessary Identification. Make sure that you have the necessary identification to apply for a library card. This must include one piece of picture ID or two other pieces of other ID. One piece of ID must show your current City of Red Deer address (driver’s license, tax receipt, utility bill, etc.).
    • Visit a Library Branch in Person. Find out which library branch is closest to you by checking our Hours & Locations, opens a new window page. Please note that the Collicutt Branch is primarily a self-serve branch, which means that library staff are typically not on site to do library card registrations. Visit the Downtown, Dawe, or Timberlands location to sign up for your library card.

    You may also need to pay the annual membership fee (for non-residents only) and any outstanding debts. 

    Adult memberships will be valid for three years. Memberships for children and teens will be valid until their 18th birthday. 

  • Adult memberships are valid for three years.

    Children's and teen memberships are valid until the cardholder's 18th birthday. To upgrade a child's card to a teen card, which will allow access to the entire collection, stop by the Downtown, Dawe, or Timberlands location. This is generally done when a child reaches age 12, but can be done sooner at the parent's discretion.

  • Let us know right away so that we can block your card to ensure that no one else is using your card. You are responsible for the use of your card until it is reported lost or stolen.

    Then, at your earliest convenience, stop by the Downtown, Dawe, or Timberlands location with photo ID to get a replacement card. Please note that a $2 card replacement fee will apply.

Learn @ the Library

Keep curiosity alive with STEAM kits, literacy backpacks, science experiments, engaging programs, and more from your library. And don't forget to come by the Downtown Branch to check out our pop-up fossil exhibit, opens a new window from the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology!

Royal Tyrrell Museum Pop-Ups. Now at RDPL! Learn More.

Palaeontology in the Library!

RDPL is hosting a pop-up fossil exhibit from the Royal Tyrrell Museum for an entire year, and we have SO MANY fun things planned! 🦕
Check out our STEAM Kits!

STEAM Kits

Perfect for young learners, borrow these STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) Kits for free with your library card!
Royal Tyrrell Museum Pop-Ups. Now at RDPL! Learn More.

Palaeontology in the Library!

RDPL is hosting a pop-up fossil exhibit from the Royal Tyrrell Museum for an entire year, and we have SO MANY fun things planned! 🦕

After School Club: Monday Crafternoons!, part of a series

Are you interested in learning to craft and making art (or a mess!)? Let's create together!

Upcoming Events for Kids & Teens

Star Wars Reads Day

School's Out: Star Wars Reads Day!

Oct 10th | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Celebrate Star Wars Reads Day with activities, crafts, and prizes! Open to Star Wars fans of all ages, and costumes are encouraged.

Popular Topics: Non-fiction

American Sign Language (ASL) Backpack

American Sign Language (ASL) Backpack

Contains books, activities, and resources to help kids learn American Sign Language (ASL).
Truth & Reconciliation Backpack

Truth & Reconciliation Backpack

This backpack contains books, activities, and discussion questions to guide your family on your truth and reconciliation journey.
Nature Fun Backpacks

Nature Fun Backpacks

Nature-themed backpacks to help your family explore the great outdoors! Each bag includes books & activities focusing on a different topic.
Healing Library Backpacks

Healing Library Backpacks

Each backpack contains children’s books, discussion guides, healing activities & more to help families navigate difficult subjects together.

Books & More

School may be out, but reading is always in! Keep kids’ imaginations growing with books for every age and interest.

New Books

New eBooks

Youth Literacy Book Bundles

Youth Literacy Book Bundles

Are you looking for books to support both your school-aged child's interests and reading level? We can help!

What Should I Read Next?

Novelist K-8 Plus

The perfect source for kids who loves to read (and their parents)! Discover new books, series, and authors based on your interests.

Any Book Book Club: Teen Edition - September 2025

Here are some of the titles discussed at this month's meeting.

Ukrainian Heritage Month: Fiction and Non-Fiction

Celebrate Ukrainian Heritage Month and check out these interesting books in both Ukrainian and English.

May We Suggest...May We Suggest...

Not sure what to read next? RDPL staff will create a personalized reading list just for you, based on your reading interests!

Not sure what to read next? RDPL staff will create a personalized reading list just for you!

Digital Library in Your Pocket

Explore free online learning tools and e-reading resources to keep kids engaged and learning from anywhere during the teacher’s strike.

Online Learning

Homework Help with Solaro

Improve your grades! You'll find course lessons, reviews, and practice tests for Grades 3 through 12 based on the Alberta curriculum.

TumbleMath

TumbleMath is a collection of math "TumbleBooks," which combine animation, narration, & sound to create compelling story books for students.
Transparent Language Online

Transparent Language

Tranparent Language provides a fun, effective, and engaging experience for online language learners of all levels!

Pronunciator

Pronunciator is a fun and free way to learn any of 315 languages with self-directed lessons, live teachers, movies, music, and more.

eBooks & eAudiobooks

Libby

Libby lets you borrow thousands of eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines on your phone or tablet for free!
Browse. Download. Read. The Palace Project.

The Palace Project

Check out this exciting new e-reading app built specifically for libraries! RDPL is one of the first libraries in Canada to pilot the app.

Prairie Indigenous eBook Collection

Stories by Indigenous authors, and writings about Indigenous culture, from publishers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

TeenBookCloud

TeenBookCloud features more than 1000 eBooks (including graphic novels), eAudiobooks, and videos for Middle and High schoolers
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