EDMONTON, AB, Tuesday, August 25, 2020 — The Edmonton Public Library (EPL) will celebrate the grand opening of the revitalized Stanley A. Milner Library on Thursday, Sept. 17.
The Grand Opening Celebration will include a digital ribbon cutting using the multi-storey interactive digital wall, live performances, and more. Due to COVID-19 limitations and capacity restrictions, a select number of customers will be able to attend the Grand Opening Celebration through the Golden Ticket Giveaway. Tickets will be hidden at all open library locations from Thursday, Aug. 27 to Saturday, Sept. 5. The event will be livestreamed so Edmontonians can participate from anywhere in the city.
“We know Edmontonians are extremely eager to see what we’ve been working on for the past three years,” said Pilar Martinez, CEO of EPL. “While there have been some mixed reactions on the exterior of our building, we’re extremely proud of our revitalized library and all that we’ve accomplished inside and out. We can’t wait for everyone to experience it for themselves.”
The revitalized Milner Library will include a children’s library three times the former size, 10,000 square foot Makerspace, Fabrication Lab, multi-storey interactive digital wall, Thunderbird Lodge (Indigenous gathering space), Gamerspace, the new Fresh Finds collection featuring recommendations from local Edmonton celebrities, over 150,000 items to borrow, including 10,000 new items, and much more.
EPL will continue to follow guidelines set by Alberta Health during the Grand Opening Celebration. Physical distancing, limited capacity, mandatory face coverings and increased hand hygiene measures will be implemented and strictly followed to ensure the health and safety of staff and customers.
Customers will also have the unique opportunity to view the revitalized building from the comfort of their home with our Virtual Open House on Sunday, Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Staff and special guests will guide viewers through the most exciting areas of the Milner Library with new classes, tours and area features available every half hour.
Media are invited for a sneak preview of the downtown library on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 11 a.m. Please RSVP to Marina Afonso by Monday, Aug. 31. Additional event details to follow in the coming weeks.
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About the Edmonton Public Library
The Edmonton Public Library (EPL) is proud to be 2014 Library of the Year! We’ve come a long way since 1913 when books were all you could find on our shelves… and we’re just getting started! Today, EPL carries everything you care about. We are Edmonton’s largest lender of all manner of information and entertainment. Our professionally trained staff take you beyond Google with the knowledge, discernment and desire to help you navigate a universe of information. The second most visited place in Edmonton, every year EPL hosts over 15.4 million in branch and online visits across our 21 branches and website. We deliver our incredible content to you everywhere – in the library, at home or on your handheld device. Unmatched access and unrivalled value – that is today’s EPL. EPL is a registered charity and relies on donations to enhance services. Spread the words. www.epl.ca/give
Media Contact:
Marina Afonso, Communications Specialist, Edmonton Public Library
Marina.Afonso@epl.ca
780.819.4337
