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Edmonton Public Library (EPL) is a publicly financed library system located in the capital city of Alberta province in Canada, Edmonton. Edmonton is a governmental, educational and cultural hub. The city is also called Canada’s Festival City for its year-round festivals that come about now and then.
Edmonton Public Library
Edmonton Public Library is one of the most highly equipped libraries in Canada. The public library provides visitors with many free resources and services. You can find different genres of books, vast collections of audiobooks, movies, music made by people in the locality, Wi-Fi facilities, magazines, Databases and many more services. The EPL locations remain open during regular hours (It opens at 9 am and closes at 6 pm).
In 2014, the Edmonton Public Library attracted more than 14.1 million in-person and virtual people. A total of 10.4 million items were rented, and 347,995 persons participated in 13,532 library-sponsored events. The library has books and publications from all over the world.
Edmonton Public Library is considered one of the best libraries in Canada due to its distinctive features and the numerous services it provides.
History
The discussion about the possibility of establishing two libraries in the Edmonton and Strathcona area began in 1912. Edmonton and Strathcona were incorporated when the two libraries were established in 1913, so one developing library system began with two branches.
Until 1955, the Strathcona branch was the sole branch south of the North of the Saskatchewan River. For a limited time, the Strathcona branch was located above a meat and liquor shop in Chisholm Block.
The Edmonton branch operated out of different locations in the downtown area between 1914 and 1923. The Central Library building, situated on the site presently occupied by Telus Plaza, was opened in 1923 with a Carnegie Library grant. Soon after this, Centennial Library opened in downtown Edmonton. The branch stopped functioning in 1967.
The Edmonton Public Library began operating traveling services in 1941 to accommodate the community’s requirements. A streetcar provided the first traveling service. Trucks and buses were pushed into service as bookmobiles as early as 1947. In 1974, book trailers took their place, with some being scrapped in 1982 to save money. The more typical bookmobile model was introduced to replace the retired trailers.
Data radios were installed in bookmobiles in 1982. Data radio allowed them to communicate directly with the main EPL database. Data radio allowed employees to access the electronic database and review customer accounts directly from the bookmobile.
The bookmobiles were in use until 1991, when they were retired. With the debut of the epl2GO literacy vans in 2014, traveling services were reintroduced.
Seven branches were opened around Edmonton between 1950 and 1970, followed by five more between 1970 and 1990. The main branch of the Centennial Library was renamed the Stanley A. Milner Library in 1996 to honor the library board chair from 1963 to 1968, who was instrumental in bringing the Centennial Library to life.
The Edmonton Public Library now has 21 branches and is growing in tandem with the city of Edmonton.
Services Provided By Edmonton Public Library
The libraries provide services to people with special needs, such as braille materials, large-print materials, talking books, descriptive DVDs, and home services for those unable to visit the library. TTY for the deaf, closed-circuit TVs that magnify or enhance print, magnifiers, specific software, LEAP computer workstations, and different keyboards are some of the assistive technologies available to clients. The library has an efficient and hardworking staff. The library elf will help you sort it out if you are facing any trouble.
EPL offers free programs and events for preschoolers, children, teens, and adults in all branches. The programs and events are available in the “Library Guide,” published three times a year and on the EPL website.
The library features and encourages aspiring writers who reside in Edmonton.
Local Services Resources Provided By Edmonton Public Library:
- They provide access to full-text databases available at the library.
- The library offers regular library tours.
- Free and downloadable audiobooks
- Access to Hoopla, an e-book, online movie, and audiobook database.
- Patron-oriented library services for adult leisure readers (Reader’s advisory service).
- The public library organizes special events and programs for kids, grown-ups, and adults.
- The Edmonton Public Library also offers social support, education, and literacy to Edmontonians with special needs.
- The library also provides books and audiobooks to the libraries in Edmonton.
- The library also delivers books and services to home-bounded or specially-abled people.
- The library provides internet access through Wi-Fi and Desktops.
The library also collaborates with many other libraries for many events and initiatives. With one such initiative in collaboration with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, you can gift your kid their first book at age 1. By being a part of this initiative, every month, a new book will be delivered for your kid until they turn 5.
You can use their website to search for resources, events, blogs, news and services and many more in the catalog by the keyword.
Benefits of EPL Membership
There are many benefits to membership in EPL. The Library card is only available to Edmontonians and aboriginal people living in metis settlements or people living in reserves. Getting a free library card for Edmonton residents is pretty easy. One can visit any branch of EPL with a valid identification card and an address proof of Edmonton or sign up online on their web page. For more information, check their official website.
Free Library Card For Newcomers
Newcomers in Edmonton can also enjoy the benefits of a public library. The only thing newcomers would need is a Library card. You must bring your identification and proof of address to any branch in Edmonton or sign up online for a library card.
Benefits Provided By EPL For Newcomers
By getting a library card, you can:
- Borrow books, movies, and music.
- Borrow reading materials in over 30 languages.
- Access internet and workstation facility.
- Access ebooks and audiobooks.
- Stream videos with Kanopy.
- Read the newspaper of the same day. There are almost 2000 newspapers available here.
- Stream music, movies and audiobooks with Hoopla.
- Get information about settling in Edmonton, AB.
- Prepare for the Canadian citizenship test.
For more information, visit their official website.
Borrowing Guide
One can borrow up to 40 items on your card for about three weeks if you are a resident of Edmonton, AB. If you are a newcomer, the borrowing limit is different. Several digital contents are available at the library; limits and loan periods are different for every content. It should be noted that the library is free, but there is a certain limit to it. If you have items for over three weeks, you cannot borrow placeholders or access any resources.
EPL App
EPL Mobile is the app for the public library. EPL Mobile makes searching and discovering titles, managing your account, and learning about branch locations and availability convenient.
Undoubtedly, ‘Edmonton Public Library‘ is the best library in Canada. EPL is the ultimate destination for information and entertainment. On your next visit to Edmonton, you must visit Edmonton Public Library.
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty