EPL 1913 - 2007 - Edmonton Public Library

THE EDMONTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
S E R V I N G
E D M O N T O N I A N S
F R O M
1 9 1 3
-
2 0 0 7
S E RV I N G E D M O N TO NIANS SINCE 1913 The Edmonton Public Library has a long history of providing services to the people of Edmonton. From its humble beginnings above a meat shop and liquor store in the Chisholm Block in
1913, EPL is now the second most visited place in Edmonton after West Edmonton Mall. In
2006, more than 11 million visits were made to the Edmonton Public Library, more than 9.5 million items were borrowed and almost 150,000 people attended one of the 4,700 programs offered.
Currently, EPL has 16 facilities with a 17th branch slated to open in northeast Edmonton by
2010.
The Edmonton Public Library is known for its innovation. It was the first library in North America to operate out of a street car; the first public library in Canada to use a computerized circulation system; the first public library to convert its catalogue to CD; one of first to provide online
access to the catalogue; the first large urban library in Canada to implement self-check radio
frequency identification technology in all its branches; and the first Alberta library to hire an
Aboriginal Services librarian.
EPL is committed to literacy, learning and to making Edmonton a great place in which to live
and work. Through its various community partnerships and outreach activities the Edmonton
Public Library strives to serve a diverse population and provide up-to-date training for its staff.
With teen zones in all branches; new Aboriginal and multicultural services and materials; senior
friendly facilities; and in-depth workshops, conferences and skills upgrades for staff, EPL continues to ensure that the public library is relevant to Edmontonians today and in the future.
1905 - 1915
1905 - Alberta becomes a province of Canada
1907 - Public Libraries Act established
1909 - First EPL Library Board appointed
1910 - EPL purchases a future library site on
MacDonald Drive
1912 - E.L. Hill appointed 1st Director of
Libraries
A TA L E O F T W O L I B R A R I E S
In 1912, the library boards in the cities of Strathcona and Edmonton met
to consider the establishment of two libraries — one for each side of the
river. Mr. E.L. Hill was appointed librarian for both libraries.
STRATHCONA LIBRARY / BRANCH
CHISHOLM BLOCK
The first library to open in the Edmonton area, Strathcona Branch (8331 - 104 Street) has
a rich history of providing service to the people of Edmonton. Originally planned when the
municipality of Strathcona was still a separate city, the (then under construction) facility
became part of the Edmonton Public Library system when the two cities amalgamated in
1912.
Edmonton Public Library started operations in its
temporary quarters (lower right) at the corner of Jasper
Avenue and 104th Street (over a meat shop and a
liquor store) in the Chisholm Block.
March 13, 1913 - present
Strathcona was the only branch south of the river until Capilano Branch opened in 1966.
The branch underwent significant restoration and expansion (below) in 2006 doubling its
square footage and adding full wheelchair and stroller accessibility.
March 27, 1913 - 1914
(Top right) Book return
(Below right) Chisholm Block 1913
(Above) Strathcona Branch 1980s
(Right Strathcona Branch under restoration and
expansion 2006
(Below) Strathcona men’s reading room 1913
1915 - 1930
1914 - EPL moves from Chisolm Block to Roberts
Block on 102 Avenue and 102 Street
1917 - Edmonton Public Library moves to Civic
Block on 99th Street and 102nd Avenue.
1922 - Local architects H.A. Magoon and G.H.
MacDonald appointed to build new library
CENTRAL LIBRARY- 1923 - 1966
From 1914 until 1923, the Edmonton Public Library operated out of a
series of commercial buildings in downtown Edmonton.
In 1914, the Carnegie Corporation offered EPL a building grant of $75,000
to build a new library in Edmonton. Later the grant was increased to
$112,500, with the remaining contribution of $37,500 from the City of
Edmonton.
In 1923, the Central Library opened on MacDonald Drive and was the
main library until the new Centennial Library built just a few blocks away
(currently Sir Winston Churchill Square) opened in 1967.
(Above: left to right)
- Reference section 1959
- Band performance 1950s
- Central circulation 1961
- Music collection
(Photo at right)
The Central Library on MacDonald Drive - 1920s
1930 - 1950
1937 - Edmonton population 60,000
1938 - Director of Libraries E.L. Hill retires
1939 - Hugh Gourlay appointed 2nd Director
1941 - A converted streetcar started serving the
Calder area
EPL ON THE GO
Beginning in 1941, EPL offered services to the community
through a variety of travelling libraries. In 1991, the bookmobile service was discontinued due to budget constraints.
1950 - 1965
(Above left) Converted Streetcar 1941 - one of North America’s most unusual “travelling libraries”, a converted streetcar, started serving the Calder area.
(Above left) In 1974, EPL decentralized its bookmobile service and replaced
the bookmobile trucks and buses with book trailers.
(Above right) Bookmobiles 1947 - 1973 - a number of bookmobiles in the
form of trucks and buses were added to serve a growing population. By
1960, the bookmobiles were open to the public 54 hours a week and made
28 stops weekly.
(Above right) In 1982, the two book trailers were phased out and a more cost
effective bookmobile was brought back. In 1987, a data radio was installed in
the bookmobile which linked it directly to the Library’s mainframe computer
enabling staff to checkout materials, review accounts and find catalogue
information.
1955 - Director of Libraries Hugh Gourlay retires
1956 - Morton Coburn appointed 3rd Director
1965 - Edmonton City Council approves new
main library project
1965 - Work on the Centennial Library
begins
SPRUCEWOOD BRANCH - 1953 - present
WOODCROFT BRANCH - 1956 - present
The Sprucewood Branch (11824 - 85 Street) was the second branch to
be built north of the river. Opened in 1953 with much fanfare, the branch
is a well-known institution in Edmonton.
Woodcroft Branch started operations in 1956 at 13420 - 114th Avenue and has served west
central Edmonton in the same location for over 50 years. The original branch had the children’s
library on the second floor of the facility, which was accessible only by stairs. Without an elevator, this meant that staff had to manually take materials up the stairs by hand, a cumbersome
and time consuming task.
The branch underwent a major renovation in 2004 adding a much needed
programming room that could be used by the public outside of branch
hours.
Today, the Sprucewood Branch is an active, well used and vibrant community centre.
The old Woodcroft branch building was demolished during the summer of 1997 to make room
for a new 10,000 square-foot building, on one level. The branch reopened on June 30, 1998
and has one of the most used program rooms at EPL.
(Right) Original Woodcroft Branch 1960s
(Below) The new Woodcroft Branch 1997
(Above)
Sprucewood
Branch 1990s
10
(Right) Branch
after 2004
renovations.
1965- 1975
11
1972 - Director Morton Coburn resigns
1972 - Allen W. Rowe appointed Acting Director
1973 - Brian Dale appointed 4th Director
1973 - Shut-in service begins
1974 - Paperbacks added to the collection
IDYLWYLDE BRANCH - 1960 - present
Opened in 1960, the Idylwylde Branch (8310 - 88th Avenue) has
served the Bonnie Doon community in Edmonton for over 40
years.
In October 2007, the facility closed for a year-long major renovation. During the renovation period, the branch will operate out of
Bonnie Doon Mall, enabling staff to continue providing service to
their customers.
(Left) Circulation desk 1960s.
(Below) Idylwylde Branch 2001
JASPER PLACE LIBRARY /
BRANCH - 1961 - present
Originally opened in 1961 when Jasper Place was a
separate community from Edmonton, the Jasper Place
Library was built at 9010 - 156 Street — the same location used today.
When the Town of Jasper Place amalgamated with the
City of Edmonton in 1964 and the branch became an
anchor for EPL customers in west Edmonton.
In 1988 Jasper Place Branch underwent an extensive renovation and is currently one of 4 large district
branches in the EPL system.
(Above) Original Jasper Place Library 1960s
(Right) Jasper Place Branch 2001
13
12
1975- 1981
1976 - Director Brian Dale resigns
1977 - Vince Richard appointed 5th Director
1977 - First computerized equipment installed
1979 - EPL first public library to fully integrate
computerized circulation system
1981 - Videodiscs added to the collection
HIGHLANDS BRANCH - 1962 - present
1963 - EPL CELEBRATES ITS 50TH AN N I V E R S A RY
Highlands Branch started operations in a storefront in 1962. In 1963, the branch
moved into a cottage at 8606-118 Avenue and was affectionately known as the “Little
House Library”.
In 1964 the branch moved to its present address at 6710 - 118th Avenue, serving
northeast Edmonton, Beverly and Highlands areas.
(Left) Highlands Branch at 6710 - 118 Avenue - 1970s
(Below) Highlands Branch today
15
14
Seven branches opened between 1913 and 1963.
(Top row L-R) Strathcona, Central, bookmobile service, Sprucewood,
(Second row L -R) Woodcroft, Idywylde, Jasper Place and Highlands.
1982 - 1986
1982 - Centralized phone renewal service started
1983 - EPl celebrates 70th anniversary
1984 - Strathcona branch undergoes
refurbishment
1986 - VHS tapes begin circulating
CAPILANO BRANCH
1966- present
CALDER BRANCH
1966 - present
Calder Branch opened to the public in August 1966 and was originally
housed in a Department of Transport building at 13303 - 127th Street. Always intended to be an interim location until larger quarters could be found,
the branch remained in the location until 1992 when it moved to its current
location at 12522 - 132 Avenue. The new location proved very popular and
saw a 30 per cent increase in use in the first year. In 2000, the branch was
renovated and expanded, adding more than 1,200 square feet to the facility.
Capilano Branch opened in 1996 and was the first EPL branch to be located in a
shopping mall. Originally located on the main floor of Capilano Shopping Centre,
the branch moved into new quarters on the upper level of the mall in 1980. In
2000 the branch was renovated and expanded, gaining 2,000 square feet of
space complete with a comfortable reading area and fireplace.
(Right) Summer Reading Club 1980s
(Below) Current day branch circulation area
(Below) Calder Branch today
17
16
1987 - 1991
1988- EPL first public library to convert
calalogue to CD
1989 - Director Vince Richards retires
1990 - Penny McKee appointed 6th Director
1991 - Friends of the Edmonton Public
Library formed
CENTENNI A L L I B R A RY - 1967 - 1996
AV fiction area 1960s
Centennial Library 1970s
Magazine reading area 1980s
S TA N L E Y A . M I LNER LIBRARY - 1996 - present
Duck from the Children’s Library
AV Centre
Main floor 1970s
Card catalogue 1970s
1992- 1995
1992 - Public computer catalogue installed
First computerized circulation 1979
Children’s Library Theatre 1960s
1994 - EPl begins charging fees for adult
membership
Centre for Reading and the Arts
Children’s Library 2006
On August 22, 1996, the Centennial Library was renamed in honour of Stanley A. Milner, chair of the Library Board from 196368 and the driving force behind the construction of the Centennial Library in the 60s. In the early 2000’s, the library expanded,
enabling the Children’s Library to move into a new, bright and welcoming space at the front of the building. The expansion also
resulted in the establishment of the Centre for Reading and the Arts and the new Information Services area. In 2005, a dedicated “teen zone” was created and in 2007 self-check stations were installed.
The Centennial Library opened on May 27, 1967, in honour of Canada’s centennial. The dedication ceremony included her
Royal Highness Princess Alexandra of Kent and then Mayor Ivor Dent. Many Edmontonians remember with fondness the
downstairs Children’s Library complete with a small animal petting zoo and circus train. In the mid-1990’s the Children’s Library
moved to the main floor of the facility and the animals were given to the Valley Zoo.
18
Stanley A. Milner Library
Main floor 2007
Circulation area with self-check stations
1994 - Automated phone renewal service
introduced
Information Services
1994 - Sunday opening started in select
branches
Teen Zone at Milner
1995 - FreeNet computer terminals
installed in all branches
19
S O U T H G AT E B R A N C H
1971 - 2002
DICKINSFIELD BRANCH
1973 - 1984
Southgate Branch opened in the Southgate Shopping
Centre in 1971. From the onset, the branch was heavily
used by customers in south Edmonton. In 1983, the
branch received a long-awaited expansion that saw the
installation of an elevator for wheelchairs and strollers.
In 1987, the branch achieved the status of the busiest
library branch in Canada since 1984.
Dickinsfield Branch opened in the Dickinsfield Shopping Mall
at 144th Avenue and 92nd Street in 1973. With an expanding
community in north Edmonton and need for additional space,
the branch was relocated to Londonderry Mall in 1984 and
renamed Londonderry Branch.
(Right) Inside front entrance
(Below) Exterior of Dickinsfield Branch early 1980s
With a location in the basement of the shopping mall,
the busy branch was not easily able to expand. As a
result, in 2002 the branch was relocated to Whitemud
Crossing, originally a multi-cinema facility close to
Southgate Centre. The new branch is more than double
the size and includes a large programming room and
theatre.
20
(Above) Reading area 1980s
(Right) The lower level branch was
only accessible by stairs until an
elevator was installed in 1983.
1996- 1997
21
1996 - Customers now able to check their
accounts by computer
1996 - Reciprocol borrowing agreement with
other libraries begins
1997 - Linda C. Cook appointed 7th Director
1997 - EPL website launched
CASTLE DOWNS BRANCH
1981 - present
The original Castle Downs Branch opened in 1981 and was closed in 2001 when the
shopping centre it was located in was demolished and then redeveloped. The branch was
relocated to nearby shopping complex (Lakeside Landing) and reopened in 2002 in a facility
more than 10,000 square feet larger than the previous location.
In 2005, to accommodate the increased demand for services an additional 2,700 square feet
were added to the facility allowing the branch to have a dedicated teen zone and more space
for materials.
M I L L W O O D S B R A N C H - 1982 - present
Mill Woods Branch, originally located in the Mill Woods Recreation Centre,
opened in 1982. To better serve the growing Mill Woods community, the branch
was moved in 1988 to its new home in Mill Wood Town Centre. Circulation
increased by more than 35 per cent after the move. The branch is one of four
large district sites serving a wide area of the city.
(Right) Original branch in Mill Woods Recreation Centre, 1980s
(Below) Today’s Mill Woods Branch in Mill Woods Town Centre
(Above) Original Castle Downs
Branch 1990s
(Right) Castle Downs Branch
exterior 2007
23
22
1998 -2001
1998 - “Smart Search”– an in-depth information
service for a fee is launched
1998 - Web stations available in all branches
1999 - Four Metro Edmonton libraries collaborate to provide reciprocol delivery service between organizations
2000 - Children’s Library moves to the newly
developed space in the Milner addition
2001 - First Investor Education Centre in
Canada launched at Milner
LOND O N D E R RY B R A N C H - 1984 - present
L E S S A R D B R A N C H - 1996 - present
To meet the growing needs of north Edmonton, the Dickinsfield Branch relocated to Londonderry Mall in 1984 and was renamed the Londonderry Branch. In 1997, the branch was
renovated and expanded, adding 5,000 square feet to the already 10,000 square foot facility.
Londonderry Branch serves as a district branch in north Edmonton serving a large area
including Clareview, Londonderry, Northmount, and Hermitage areas.
On October 30, 1996 the Lessard branch was opened in the Lessard Shopping Mall in the
west end, the first new branch to be built since Mill Woods Branch opened in 1982. The
branch provides full library service to a population of 50,000 in a fast growing neighbourhood.
(Above Lower level reading area
(Right) Londonderry Branch exterior
In 2008, the branch will close in the Lessard Mall and reopen as the Lois Hole Library in the
Callingwood area. The new facility will serve an ever growing population in west Edmonton
and be over 25,000 square feet in size.
(Right) Opening ceremony 1996
(Below) Reference desk 2001
25
24
2002-2004
2002 - “Edmonton A City Called Home”, a City of Edmonton
centennial initiative begins in time for the 2004 celebration
2003 - EPl celebrates 90th anniversary
2003 - SIRSI Unicorn catalogue system
launched
2003 - Online catalogue now available
24 hours a day
2004 - Edmonton celebrates centennial and EPL launches
two books: Kidmonton and Edmonton In Our Own Words
PENNY McKEE BRANCH –
ABBOTTSFIELD
1996 - present
RIVERBEND BRANCH
2000 - present
Riverbend Branch opened on May 18, 2000, with Scottish pipes and Chinese lion dances.
This much heralded branch in southwest Edmonton became a reality through the hard work
and efforts of library staff and community members.
The official opening of the Penny McKee Branch - Abbottsfield was held on September 15, 1997. The branch was
named in tribute to Penny McKee, former Director of Libraries from 1990-96. As director, Ms. McKee worked with the
Library Board to spearhead library development in Edmonton
and Alberta. She passed away in May, 1997, after a long
illness.
Located in Riverbend Square (Rabbit Hill Road and Terwilliger Drive) the branch features a
large program room and “Craftsman” style reading area.
(Left) Front entrance
(Below) Riverbend Branch as viewed from Terwilliger Drive
The branch primarily serves the Beverly, Abbottsfield, and
Beacon Heights neighbourhoods and was one of the first
EPL branches to have a dedicated Aboriginal collection.
(Left) Penny McKee-Abbottsfield Branch exterior in
Abbottsfield Mall 2005
27
26
2005-2007
2005 - Floating video collection and online
music introduced
2005 - Year of the Teen initiative to make the
library more attractive to youth is launched
2006 - Word processing available in
all locations
2007 - Year of the Senior launched to
provide enhanced services to people 55+
2007 - RFID tagging begins - self-check
stations installed in all branches
WHITEMUD CROSSING BRANCH
2002 - present
L O I S H O L E L I B R A RY
- opening 2008
Officially opened on September 16, 2002, the Whitemud Crossing Branch was developed in response to the growing need in south Edmonton for a larger facility than was available at the Southgate Branch in Southgate Shopping Centre. At 25,000 square feet, the Whitemud Crossing Branch
is more than double the size of the former branch and features a large program room complete with
theatre seating, a large children’s area, teen zone and quite reading area with fireplace.
When the Lois Hole Library opens in 2008, it will replace the current Lessard Branch. At over
25,000 square feet, the Lois Hole Library will serve the needs of the west end population
which is expected to grow to more than 72,000 by 2010. Named after The Late, The Honorable Lois Hole, 15th Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta, the library is designed around a central
vaulted core, producing a welcoming and open concept. There will be a considerable amount
of exposed wood products in the library which brings a natural and warm atmosphere to the
building. A reading garden and a commissioned sculpture of Lois Hole by sculptor Danek
Mozdzenski will also be part of the new facility. When complete, it is anticipated that the facility
will meet the standards for a Silver level of LEED certification.
(Left) Magazine reading area with fireplace
(Below) Whitemud Crossing exterior
(Right) Architectural rendering of the Lois Hole Library
(Below) Lois Hole Library under construction - summer 2007
29
28
2007 and
beyond
2007 - First Aboriginal Services librarian in
Alberta hired
2007-08 - RFID technology fully implemented
in all locations
2008 - Wi-Fi technology will become
available in all branches
2008 - Lois Hole Library to open
2008 - Online payment will become
available for customers