Stanley A. Milner Library
Encyclopedia
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 Edmonton, the library often takes part in various events held at Churchill Square. In 2010, the library held an outdoor book sale in the square, selling aging and duplicate materials to the public. The Stanley A. Milner Library has a number of meeting rooms and a small theater in the lower level, that are used for library programs and can also be rented out by the public. The building is directly connected to the underground pedway network
and to Edmonton's LRT
. A number of ETS
bus routes also serve the library along Harbin Road (102 Avenue) and 100 Street. Underground parking, run by the city, is also available.
The Stanley A. Milner Library is also a centre for assistive services. Specialized magnifiers, projection reading rooms, large print books, braille material, voice dictation stations, and specialized computers are available as part of the library's mission to provide information access to all.
to its current location in 1956 and, in conjunction with the new art gallery
completed in 1969, the library was designed to form part of this new centre.
The library replaced the original downtown
library, which was located one block south on Macdonald Drive (today Jasper Ave) and 100th Street. The original downtown library was funded
by a donation from Andrew Carnegie
and completed in 1923 (a temporary downtown library had existed prior to this). The building was small though, and the city's growth boom in the post-WWII years fueled demand for a larger building. The new building was designed in the Brutalist style, common for many public buildings constructed in Edmonton in the 1960s. It features a cantilevered second level above a smaller lower level, exposed concreted, plate glass window walls, podium pillars, and a four-story tower atop it. It opened in 1967, and was originally named the "Centennial Library" in honour of the Canadian Centennial
that year. The small public square on the south side of the library building was also named "Centennial Square". The original downtown library was sold and demolished in 1968, to make room for the Alberta Government Telephones
Tower (today Telus Plaza
).
Direct connection to Edmonton's underground pedway system
was added in 1978 when construction was completed on the original LRT
line downtown. The library is connected to Churchill station
, and can also reach most of the nearby arts and civic centre buildings through the pedway. In 1996 the library was officially renamed the "Stanley A. Milner Library," in honour of petroleum business leader, philanthropist, former city councilor, and former Library Board Chairman Dr. Stanley A. Milner. The first major renovation project to the library was completed in 1998, which saw the addition of a new front entrance facing Churchill Square, along with many interior upgrades. In 2010, the newly renovated children's library was reopened and named in honour of Dr. Milner's late daughter, Shelley Milner.
one of the busiest and is the largest location, and is still very up to date with assistive services, accessibility, and information technologies. The building, now over 40 years old though, is beginning to show its age. As is common with many of Edmonton's Brutalist buildings of the era, the exposed concrete and other materials in the library are beginning to fail from years of weathering. Aging mechanical system designs have also lead to ventilation concerns and wasted energy costs. In addition, there have been safety concerns regarding the front entrance of the library facing Churchill Square. The narrow sidewalk and busy bus stop just outside of the entrance on 102 Avenue, has led to many congestion and safety problems.
In response to these concerns, the increasing cost and inefficiencies of the aging building, and a general misfit with the other, now more modern buildings in the civic and arts area, the city commissioned the architectural firm of Manasc Isaac to look into a "re-imagination" of the current building. The proposal would involve removal and replacement of the exterior walls, a new front entrance, and revamped interior with updated mechanical systems. The primary structure and layout of the building, however, would not be changed. This would provide significant cost-savings in comparison to completely replacing the building, while still transforming it into a modern, energy efficient space. The project still lies at the proposal stage though, with no commitment by the city.
Edmonton Public Library
The Edmonton Public Library 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 . University of Alberta students can receive free access using the L-Pass...
. It is located on the southern side of Sir Winston Churchill Square
Churchill Square (Edmonton)
thumb|300px|right|Churchill Square looking towards [[Edmonton City Hall|City Hall]]Churchill Square is the main downtown square in Edmonton, Alberta, which plays host to a large majority of festivals and events including: the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival, Edmonton Fashion...
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...
, near City Hall
Edmonton City Hall
Edmonton's City Hall was designed by Dub Architects, and completed in 1992. It features two steel and glass pyramids, one 43 meters high , on top of a three-story concrete structure. One pyramid provides natural light for the main atrium, the other for the council chambers...
, Edmonton City Centre
Edmonton City Centre
Edmonton City Centre is a shopping mall in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, across the street from Churchill Square.-History:In 1974, the City Centre Place shopping mall was completed within the larger Edmonton Centre development; TD Tower was added in 1976. In 1978, Oxford Tower and the...
mall, the Francis Winspear Centre for Music
Francis Winspear Centre for Music
The Francis Winspear Centre for Music is a performing arts centre located in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.Built in 1997, it is the home of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. The center is named after Dr. Francis G. Winspear, who donated $6 million to the construction of the facility - the...
, and the Citadel Theatre
Citadel Theatre
The Citadel Theatre is the major venue for theatre arts in the city of Edmonton, located in the Downtown Core on Churchill Square.-History:Originally the "Old Salvation Army Citadel", the Citadel was bought by Joseph H. Shoctor, James L. Martin, Ralph B. MacMillan, and Sandy Mactaggart, and the...
. As a central location in Edmonton, the library often takes part in various events held at Churchill Square. In 2010, the library held an outdoor book sale in the square, selling aging and duplicate materials to the public. The Stanley A. Milner Library has a number of meeting rooms and a small theater in the lower level, that are used for library programs and can also be rented out by the public. The building is directly connected to the underground pedway network
Edmonton Pedway
The Edmonton Pedway system is a network connecting office buildings, shopping centres, and parkades in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It consists of approximately of year-round climate-controlled underground tunnels and walkways between the second floors of buildings approximately above...
and to Edmonton's LRT
Edmonton Light Rail Transit
Edmonton Light Rail Transit, more commonly referred to as the LRT, is a light rail system in Edmonton, Alberta. Part of the Edmonton Transit System , the 20.5-kilometre route starts in Edmonton's northeast suburbs and ends at Century Park in Edmonton's south end.The ETS designates the LRT as Route...
. A number of ETS
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:...
bus routes also serve the library along Harbin Road (102 Avenue) and 100 Street. Underground parking, run by the city, is also available.
The Stanley A. Milner Library is also a centre for assistive services. Specialized magnifiers, projection reading rooms, large print books, braille material, voice dictation stations, and specialized computers are available as part of the library's mission to provide information access to all.
History
The Stanley A. Milner Library was opened in 1967 on the southern edge of Churchill Square. The site of the library was originally home to Market Square, Edmonton's main square and city market from 1900 to 1965. Although the square and market were considered a hub of Edmonton's community, the city wished to create a more dedicated civic centre. The city had already built and relocated city hallEdmonton City Hall
Edmonton's City Hall was designed by Dub Architects, and completed in 1992. It features two steel and glass pyramids, one 43 meters high , on top of a three-story concrete structure. One pyramid provides natural light for the main atrium, the other for the council chambers...
to its current location in 1956 and, in conjunction with the new art gallery
Art Gallery of Alberta
The Art Gallery of Alberta is a public art gallery located in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Its collection of well over 6,000 works of art includes historical and contemporary paintings, sculptures, installation works and photographs by Canadian and international artists...
completed in 1969, the library was designed to form part of this new centre.
The library replaced the original downtown
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...
library, which was located one block south on Macdonald Drive (today Jasper Ave) and 100th Street. The original downtown library was funded
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...
by a donation from Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, and entrepreneur who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century...
and completed in 1923 (a temporary downtown library had existed prior to this). The building was small though, and the city's growth boom in the post-WWII years fueled demand for a larger building. The new building was designed in the Brutalist style, common for many public buildings constructed in Edmonton in the 1960s. It features a cantilevered second level above a smaller lower level, exposed concreted, plate glass window walls, podium pillars, and a four-story tower atop it. It opened in 1967, and 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...
that year. The small public square on the south side of the library building was also named "Centennial Square". The original downtown library was sold and demolished in 1968, to make room for the Alberta Government Telephones
Alberta Government Telephones
Alberta Government Telephones was formed by the Liberal government of Alexander Cameron Rutherford in 1906 following the acquisitions by the government of several independent telephone companies...
Tower (today 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...
).
Direct connection to Edmonton's underground pedway system
Edmonton Pedway
The Edmonton Pedway system is a network connecting office buildings, shopping centres, and parkades in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It consists of approximately of year-round climate-controlled underground tunnels and walkways between the second floors of buildings approximately above...
was added in 1978 when construction was completed on the original LRT
Edmonton Light Rail Transit
Edmonton Light Rail Transit, more commonly referred to as the LRT, is a light rail system in Edmonton, Alberta. Part of the Edmonton Transit System , the 20.5-kilometre route starts in Edmonton's northeast suburbs and ends at Century Park in Edmonton's south end.The ETS designates the LRT as Route...
line downtown. The library is connected to Churchill station
Churchill (ETS)
Churchill Station was one of the five original stations along the LRT line in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It is located between Central Station and Stadium Station. It opened April 22, 1978....
, and can also reach most of the nearby arts and civic centre buildings through the pedway. In 1996 the library was officially renamed the "Stanley A. Milner Library," in honour of petroleum business leader, philanthropist, former city councilor, and former Library Board Chairman Dr. Stanley A. Milner. The first major renovation project to the library was completed in 1998, which saw the addition of a new front entrance facing Churchill Square, along with many interior upgrades. In 2010, the newly renovated children's library was reopened and named in honour of Dr. Milner's late daughter, Shelley Milner.
Future
The Stanley A. Milner Library remains Edmonton Public Library'sEdmonton Public Library
The Edmonton Public Library 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 . University of Alberta students can receive free access using the L-Pass...
one of the busiest and is the largest location, and is still very up to date with assistive services, accessibility, and information technologies. The building, now over 40 years old though, is beginning to show its age. As is common with many of Edmonton's Brutalist buildings of the era, the exposed concrete and other materials in the library are beginning to fail from years of weathering. Aging mechanical system designs have also lead to ventilation concerns and wasted energy costs. In addition, there have been safety concerns regarding the front entrance of the library facing Churchill Square. The narrow sidewalk and busy bus stop just outside of the entrance on 102 Avenue, has led to many congestion and safety problems.
In response to these concerns, the increasing cost and inefficiencies of the aging building, and a general misfit with the other, now more modern buildings in the civic and arts area, the city commissioned the architectural firm of Manasc Isaac to look into a "re-imagination" of the current building. The proposal would involve removal and replacement of the exterior walls, a new front entrance, and revamped interior with updated mechanical systems. The primary structure and layout of the building, however, would not be changed. This would provide significant cost-savings in comparison to completely replacing the building, while still transforming it into a modern, energy efficient space. The project still lies at the proposal stage though, with no commitment by the city.
School's served
As part of Edmonton Public Library's regional division, the Stanley A. Milner Library serves the following nearby schools:- Centre High School
- Edmonton Academy
- Grandin Elementary School
- John A. McDougall Elementary School
- Mother Teresa Elementary School
- Oliver Elementary/Junior High School
- Riverdale Elementary School
- St. Catherine Elementary/Junior High School
- St. Joseph High SchoolSt. Joseph High School and Ascension CollegiateSt. Joseph High School and Ascension Collegiate is a high school located in Downtown Edmonton. Ascension Collegiate High and Jean Forest All Girls Leadership Academy are also located with in the high school.-History:...
- Victoria School of Performing and Visual ArtsVictoria School of Performing and Visual ArtsVictoria School of the Arts is a public school in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada operated by Edmonton Public Schools, offering students from Kindergarten through Grade 12 an arts-focused education....