Louise Riley (1900-1957)
Born 1900 at Calgary, Alberta - Died August 8, 1957 at Calgary, Alberta
Librarian, Author, Public Speaker
Louse Riley left her mark on the Calgary literary scene by way of authorship and librarian roles.
Early Years
Miss Louise Riley was born in Calgary in 1900, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. E.H. Riley. The original Riley homestead was on the site of the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.
Education
Riley was a graduate of St. Hilda's school for girls in Calgary. She graduated McGill University in Montreal with a major in English. She took courses in library work at the University of Wisconsin and Columbia University.
Career
Riley served several years on the Alberta Library Board and was a sought after public speaker. She worked as children's librarian at Calgary Public Library from 1930-1949. She was particularly active in developing the children's sections of the library. She also initiated an adolescent section at the librbary. One of her innovations was the radio broadcast of a children's story each week from the library. Riley was made Chief Assistant Librarian in 1949 and held the post until illness forced her to give it up.
Louise Riley is the author of several books for children and adults. In 1956, she won the Canadian Library's Association bronze medal for the children's book "Train for Tiger Lily".[1]
Automobile Accident
Miss Riley and her sister were injured in a car accident in July 1941, when a vehicle collided with her at an intersection. Riley was confined to hospital for over a week. She suffered concussion, fractured ribs and severe cuts. She and her sister sought general and special damages of over $6,000.[2]
Legacy
Riley Park in Central Calgary was provided to the city by the Riley family. The Calgary Public Library named a new branch after Louise Riley after her death.
Death
Louise Riley passed away peacefully August 8, 1957. She is buried in the Riley family plot, not far from her father Ezra, who donated Riley Park to the City in 1910. Her grey granite marker is a western slant memorial with rustic rockshell.
