Edmonton Public Library
Encyclopedia
The Edmonton Public Library (EPL) is a publicly funded library
in the city of Edmonton
, Alberta
, Canada
, available for use by any member of the public
. Children are eligible for free library cards, while adults pay an annual fee (though this fee can be waived for low income individuals). University of Alberta
students can receive free access using the L-Pass program. In 2009, more than 14.1 million visits were made to the Edmonton Public Library.
EPL has more than two million items in its collection including books, CDs, DVDs, magazines and online resources. There are 17 branches, the oldest of which is the Old Strathcona Branch
(opened in 1913) and the newest is the eplGO site at the University of Alberta
's main campus (opened in 2008).
The Stanley A. Milner Library
in downtown Edmonton
is the main library building, and was opened in 1967. It replaced a Carnegie-funded library
built on Jasper Avenue in 1923, which sat on the site now occupied by Telus Plaza
. The new library was originally named the "Centennial Library" in honour of the Canadian Centennial
in 1967. The building occupies the former site of Market Square, Edmonton's main square and home of the city market from 1900 to 1965. In addition to a large collection of items, the Stanley A. Milner Library offers services to people with special needs including: braille materials, large-print materials, talking books, descriptive DVDs and home service for shut-ins. It also offers assistive technologies for customers such as: TTY for the deaf, closed circuit TVs that enlarge or enhance print, magnifiers, specialized software, LEAP computer work stations, and alternative keyboards.
EPL delivers free programs and events for preschoolers, children, teens, and adults in all of its branches. Program information is provided in the "Library Guide" printed three times per year, and through the EPL website.
The Edmonton Public Library maintains partnerships with the University of Alberta
, Edmonton Public Schools
, Edmonton Catholic Schools, the Centre for Family Literacy, the Arts District, and Edmonton Transit System
. Each branch is assigned a regional list of public and catholic schools for which is provides many services. EPL also works with community groups such as the Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, Multicultural Health Brokers and a variety of literacy-based organizations.
EPL is a member of "The Alberta Library
" (TAL), a province-wide system that allows access to material from every member library in Alberta.
Edmonton Public Library currently has 17 branches across Edmonton. Two new branches will also be opening in 2013 as part of new community recreation centres in Clareview
and The Meadows
, which combine library branches with sports and recreation centres. The current Jasper Place Branch is also being replaced with a new building, expected to open in 2012. A demolition of the Highlands Branch has also been approved, and is currently in the design phase. The current 1964 built Meisian box is obsolete in many areas, and it has been determined that the needs of the public could best be serve with a new building. A public forum was held on 16 November to discuss future plans for the site. The current branches are:
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
in the city of Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, available for use by any member of the public
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
. Children are eligible for free library cards, while adults pay an annual fee (though this fee can be waived for low income individuals). University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
students can receive free access using the L-Pass program. In 2009, more than 14.1 million visits were made to the Edmonton Public Library.
EPL has more than two million items in its collection including books, CDs, DVDs, magazines and online resources. There are 17 branches, the oldest of which is the Old Strathcona Branch
Old Strathcona Branch (Edmonton Public Library)
The Old Strathcona Branch, completed in 1913, is the oldest branch library in the Edmonton Public Library system, and one of the oldest libraries in Alberta. It is located on 104th Street, a block off of Whyte Avenue in the heart of Old Strathcona...
(opened in 1913) and the newest is the eplGO site at the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
's main campus (opened in 2008).
The Stanley A. Milner Library
Stanley A. Milner Library
The Stanley A. Milner Library is the main library for Edmonton Public Library. It is located on the southern side of Sir Winston Churchill Square in downtown Edmonton, near City Hall, Edmonton City Centre mall, the Francis Winspear Centre for Music, and the Citadel Theatre. As a central location in...
in downtown Edmonton
Downtown Edmonton
Downtown Edmonton is bounded by 109 Street to the west, 105 Avenue to the north, 97 Street to the east, 97 Avenue, 100 Avenue, and Rossdale Road to the south and Jasper Avenue to the southeast , though many people consider part or all of the surrounding neighborhoods to be part of downtown...
is the main library building, and was opened in 1967. It replaced a Carnegie-funded library
Carnegie library
A Carnegie library is a library built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929, including some belonging to public and university library systems...
built on Jasper Avenue in 1923, which sat on the site now occupied by Telus Plaza
Telus Plaza
TELUS Plaza is an office complex in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada that was completed in 1972 . The twin buildings are TELUS Plaza North and TELUS House...
. The new library was originally named the "Centennial Library" in honour of the Canadian Centennial
Canadian Centennial
The Canadian Centennial was a year long celebration held in 1967 when Canada celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation. Celebrations occurred throughout the year but culminated on Dominion Day, July 1. 1967 coins were different from previous years' issues, with animals on each...
in 1967. The building occupies the former site of Market Square, Edmonton's main square and home of the city market from 1900 to 1965. In addition to a large collection of items, the Stanley A. Milner Library offers services to people with special needs including: braille materials, large-print materials, talking books, descriptive DVDs and home service for shut-ins. It also offers assistive technologies for customers such as: TTY for the deaf, closed circuit TVs that enlarge or enhance print, magnifiers, specialized software, LEAP computer work stations, and alternative keyboards.
EPL delivers free programs and events for preschoolers, children, teens, and adults in all of its branches. Program information is provided in the "Library Guide" printed three times per year, and through the EPL website.
The Edmonton Public Library maintains partnerships with the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
, Edmonton Public Schools
Edmonton Public Schools
Edmonton Public Schools is the largest public school district in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The district offers a variety of alternative and special needs programs, and many are offered in multiple locations to improve accessibility for students...
, Edmonton Catholic Schools, the Centre for Family Literacy, the Arts District, and Edmonton Transit System
Edmonton Transit System
The Edmonton Transit System, also called ETS, is the public transit service owned and operated by the city of Edmonton, Alberta. It operates Edmonton's bus and light rail systems.-Service:...
. Each branch is assigned a regional list of public and catholic schools for which is provides many services. EPL also works with community groups such as the Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, Multicultural Health Brokers and a variety of literacy-based organizations.
EPL is a member of "The Alberta Library
The Alberta Library
Created in 1997, The Alberta Library is a not-for-profit consortium of over 290 public, post-secondary, special, government and regional libraries that works to promote access to information for Albertans...
" (TAL), a province-wide system that allows access to material from every member library in Alberta.
Branches
Clareview Campus, Edmonton
Clareview Campus is a mixed use neighbhourhood located in the Clareview area of north east Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The neighbourhood is bounded on the south by 137 Avenue, on the west by the Canadian National Railways right of way, on the north by 144 Avenue, and on the east by 36...
and The Meadows
The Meadows, Edmonton
The Meadows is a residential district in the City of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Located in southeast Edmonton, The Meadows is bounded by Whitemud Drive to the north, 34 Street to the west, and Anthony Henday Drive to the east and south...
, which combine library branches with sports and recreation centres. The current Jasper Place Branch is also being replaced with a new building, expected to open in 2012. A demolition of the Highlands Branch has also been approved, and is currently in the design phase. The current 1964 built Meisian box is obsolete in many areas, and it has been determined that the needs of the public could best be serve with a new building. A public forum was held on 16 November to discuss future plans for the site. The current branches are:
- Stanley A. Milner LibraryStanley A. Milner LibraryThe Stanley A. Milner Library is the main library for Edmonton Public Library. It is located on the southern side of Sir Winston Churchill Square in downtown Edmonton, near City Hall, Edmonton City Centre mall, the Francis Winspear Centre for Music, and the Citadel Theatre. As a central location in...
(main library) - Abbottsfield - Penny McKee Branch
- Calder Branch
- Capilano Branch
- Castle Downs Branch
- eplGo (within the University of Alberta'sUniversity of AlbertaThe University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
Cameron Library) - Highlands Branch
- Idylwylde Branch
- Jasper Place Branch
- Lois Hole Branch
- Londonderry Branch
- Mill Woods Branch
- Old Strathcona BranchOld Strathcona Branch (Edmonton Public Library)The Old Strathcona Branch, completed in 1913, is the oldest branch library in the Edmonton Public Library system, and one of the oldest libraries in Alberta. It is located on 104th Street, a block off of Whyte Avenue in the heart of Old Strathcona...
- Riverbend Branch
- Sprucewood Branch
- Whitemud Crossing Branch
- Woodcroft Branch