Page 3 - Edmonton Public Library - Revitalized Stanley A. Milner Library

By Heather Romito

hile the Dewey Decimal System may be online rather
than in a card catalogue these days, one thing that

Whasn’t changed is the importance of libraries as a

place for communities to come together. Recognizing this, the
Edmonton Public Library (EPL) decided to undertake a renewal

project for their downtown branch, the Stanley A. Milner Library,

which began in January of 2017. As a well-used and much-loved
community resource, the library’s renewal has resulted in more

space, more technology and a greater focus on diversity.

The Milner Library’s history dates back to 1923 when it was first

called the Central Library. Since that time, the library has been
relocated and subsequently renamed in 1996 to honour long-

time supporter Stanley A. Milner. Over the years, the library has

supported everything from an artwork rental service, to a smoking
room (closed in the 70s), to a petting zoo housed in the children’s

library.

Discussions around redesign of the building began in 2005, and

the project was officially approved in 2014. The total approved
budget was $84.5 million, with EPL responsible for raising $10

million dollars. In the end, the organization managed to raise

over $18 million dollars through hard work and the generosity of
major donors, provincial and federal government individuals and

organizations.

THE HUB FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT

While the redesign was initially prompted by a need to improve
services and address structural and safety concerns, it became

much more of a community-minded modernization than a physical
renovation.

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