First Canadian Library to Receive Award; Recognized for Innovative
Approach to Service
Farmington Hills, Mich. and Edmonton, Alberta, June 11, 2014 —
Edmonton Public Library (EPL) of Alberta, Canada has been named the
2014 Library of the Year by Library Journal magazine and Gale, part of
Cengage Learning. Each year, this prestigious recognition goes to a public
library that most profoundly demonstrates service to community, creativity,
leadership and innovation in developing community programs.
For more than 100 years, EPL has been much more than a place to borrow books,
notes Library Journal’s June 15 cover story on the winner. It is a place that
galvanizes communities, connects people and expands minds. Today, EPL serves one
of Canada’s fastest growing cities through its 17 branches operated by more than
600 employees who last year answered nearly 2.5 million questions and
facilitated 5.2 million library visits (with another 4.7 million visits via
their website). Every three seconds someone is borrowing from EPL. Their social
media popularity – with 20,000 Twitter followers and 9,000 Facebook fans – leads
almost all North American urban libraries.
“EPL embodies what libraries are and should be – forward-thinking places that
bring communities together and inspire lifelong learning while improving
outcomes for users,” said Nader Qaimari, senior vice president, sales and
marketing, Gale. “At Gale, we strive to do the same – to engage learners of all
kinds, to challenge the status quo and to improve lives and communities.”
EPL offers all of the essential library services – a growing e-collection,
literacy services, programming and more – but what stands out most is its
collaborative and innovative approach to service. EPL sheds the stereotypical
image of library as a book repository and serves as a center of civic
engagement. Community librarians at each branch integrate deeply with local
institutions such as school districts, health centers and outreach groups in
order to understand needs, eliminate barriers, and inform services and policies.
Imagination is spurred through the makerspace – a location dedicated to creating
with technology such as 3D printers, game development software, a sound and
recording studio and more. New branches have been designed or redesigned to
focus on open space, collaboration, and sustainability, and a focus on lifelong
learning, including online learning, helps ensure the success of individuals as
well as the community.
“We’ve been watching Edmonton innovate for years, and it is a great pleasure
to be giving the library this award,” said Rebecca T. Miller, editorial
director, Library Journal. “EPL exemplifies services that are finely
attuned to community needs—and there is plenty that libraries of any size can
replicate, from the creation of a Social Return on Investment Report to the core
of teams that address service areas to its unified strategy across all branches.
The list just goes on and on.”
“We are extremely pleased and honoured to be named 2014 Library of the Year,”
said Linda Cook, CEO of Edmonton Public Library. “EPL has a history of service
innovation, library firsts, and a commitment to lifelong learning and
development; and it is our staff’s talent, willingness to learn and adaptability
that has led EPL to where it is today.”
The 2014 Library of the Year Award will be presented at a reception at the
American Library Association Annual Conference on June 29, 2014.
About Cengage Learning and Gale
Cengage Learning is a leading educational content, technology and services
company, empowering educators and driving learner engagement through
personalized services and course-driven digital solutions that bridge from the
library to the classroom. Gale, part of Cengage Learning, serves the world’s
information and education needs through its vast and dynamic content pools,
which are used by students and consumers in their libraries, schools and on the
Internet. It is best known for the accuracy, breadth and convenience of its
data, addressing all types of information needs – from homework help to health
questions to business profiles – in a variety of formats. For more information,
visit www.cengage.com or www.gale.cengage.com.
About Library Journal
Founded in 1876, Library Journal is one of the oldest and most
respected publications covering the library field. Over 75,000 library
directors, administrators, and staff in public, academic, and special libraries
read LJ. Library Journal reviews over 8000 books, audiobooks,
videos, databases, and web sites annually, and provides coverage of technology,
management, policy, and other professional concerns. For more information, visit
www.libraryjournal.com. Library Journal is a publication of Media
Source Inc., which also owns School Library Journal, The Horn
Book publications, and Junior Library Guild.
from: Cengage Learning
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