“The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.” – Albert Einstein (Theoretical Physicist, 1879-1955)

We are approaching 2022. While we look back on what we have come through and learned, the libraries have been slowly, safely reopening.

We have the Edmonton Public Library’s main branch, the newly-renovated Stanley A. Milner Library, very near us. Located at 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square, the library was built on that site to commemorate Canada’s Centennial in 1967. In fact, it was known as the Centennial Library until 1996 when it was renamed after Stanley Albert Milner. He was someone who held many diverse positions in many fields, even making a run for mayor in 1963. Milner was the chair of The Edmonton Library Board until 1968.

Libraries can be information centres, pleasant places to relax and browse books, hubs of resources, and sources of entertainment. The Milner library contains much more than books. It boasts many new, fully accessible areas, with services such as Wi-Fi, public computers, printing, photocopying, scanning, and study rooms. In addition, there is now a larger Children’s section and a space for gamers! Another very cool part of this library is the Makerspace, where you can record music, do book binding, print things in 3D, and do a lot of other interesting things.

Like most public places at this time, mandatory masking and capacity regulations are in place. For more information, visit https://www.epl.ca/locations/EPLMNA/ or call (780) 496-7070.

Ian is a columnist with the paper. He lives in the area.