Edmonton Public Library – Whitemud Crossing Branch

This is the best library in Edmonton. And since 2014 the Edmonton Public Library won the award for best library in North America, logic would imply it’s the best in North America.
Ten Good REASONS why EPL rocks
Here’s why libraries are great
1. They have audio books you can borrow ny time and then listen to on your iphone immediately (no cds required)
2. They have a killer app. Renew, hold and even use as a card.
3. Super cool Merchandise. I have a library bag that says «library goers never go to bed alone»
4. Better than Redbox for games and videos
5.Lots of cool suggestion around the shelves if you want something new
Here’s a few reasons why it’s great vs the other libraries in Edmonton
1. Super friendly staff.
2. NO pee smell
3. Huge
4. Lots of room for you to plug in computers and big group study table
5. People are really respectful
Plus 1 bonus reason: LOTS of free safe parking. Some of the libraries are in malls so you have to go into a mall, bleh. Some are not accessible by car, double bleh. And some are in really sketchy areas, bleh bleh bleh.
#epl

This used to be my regular EPL branch when I lived in this neck of the woods. I was here a few weeks ago and decided to look around for a book or two to read. Good things about this branch
— It’s pretty big. Not as big as the own downtown, but it’s a good size, and has a fair selection of books as well as media (CDs, DVDs, even video games — libraries have changed a lot since I was a kid).
— Everything is pretty organized — there are plenty of computer and work stations as well.
— They have a cute little reading section up at the front.
— Not specific to this branch, but EPL has self checkout, which is awesome and quick. There are several self checkout computers in the library too, not just at the end by the doors.
— Free parking. It’s right in Whitemud Crossing and there’s usually lot’s of parking available.
— EPL allows you to take out materials at any branch and return them at any branch. If you have an item on hold you can specify to pick it up at the library closest to you.
Bad things about this branch.
— It’s always busy. On the one hand it’s great that libraries are being used by people in the community, but if you are looking for a chill place to hang out, this wouldn’t be my first pick.
— It’s noisy, much like the previous comment you’ll see kids running around, and teenagers chatting while playing the computer. Again, it’s great people are at the library, because they provide a valuable service to people in the community, but if you’re looking for a place to do some quiet work, studying, or reading then I wouldn’t come to The Whitemud Branch. To just check material though it’s awesome.
Odd things about this branch
— There’s a drive through book return, which is great, but in order to be lined up so the driver of a vehicle return the books you’ll need to drive in backwards, or get out of your car.
— When I used to have items on hold at this branch the computerized voice message recording that would phone me would leave the weirdest message. It would never pronounce my name correctly (which is understandable), but it was so far off it added extra syllables and vowels and letters my name doesn’t even have. This has no bearing on the review, but it makes me laugh to think back on these messages when the EPL computer would call me and say” Dittrick, Alotuslevetatata” (literally that’s how the computer said my name).
— Also this library used to be a movie theatre. Anyone remember that, or am I just old?
I digress. The Whitemud Branch is great for checking out material, because there’s a lot there, and if they don’t have it you can put a hold on an item from another branch and they’ll bring it to The Whitemud. It’s not so good for reading, studying, or getting any work done because the branch is busy, and loud. And if you have an uncommon name don’t be surprised if the computer will call you something else entirely.

This library is pretty good, and the location is fairly easy to access. It does seem like a bit outdated. $ 12 a year for a membership and if you use the EPL app then you can pick up your books when they are ready!

Passing grade for this library. It definitely lives up to its name: Library
To use the desktop computers you need to have a library card and login but the Wifi is free for anyone to use so just make sure you bring your own laptop if you don’t have a membership.

The library is a great place to come for books, magazine, music, movies, and to use the computer. For $ 12/​year, it’s a great value and judging from the number of people at this library, many people agree!
There are a few things I don’t like about this location though. I found there wasn’t enough seating and I sat in the children’s area which I felt bad for since I wasn’t there with a child and I was occupying space that had headphones likely for audio books. Also, the magazines rack area wasn’t a large space for those walking behind.
Other than that, it’s a great place to visit with friendly staff and good programming.

It’s great selection-​wise, with a larger variety of music than some of the other branches.
But every time I come in here, I leave in a bad mood. A REALLY bad mood. It’s like a damned daycare in here. Seriously. I was in here at 11 AM on a weekday, and I swear every woman in here either had a stroller and was gabbing to her baby (full volume), or holding a screaming baby, or talking with other women, full volume, who were all gabbing about their babies. Whatever happened to whispering? It’s courteous to the people all around you who are reading and studying. Fer cryin’ out loud, people. INSIDE VOICES.
Once, there was a kid about 7 or 8 years old who kept running circles around me with a friend of his while I was trying to look at CDs. Due to my disability, it’s hard for me to squat for long, so I have to sit to look at the lower racks, and when I was trying to pull myself back up, he ran over my hand.
The next time he came around, I grabbed him by the back of his collar, and told him he needed to slow the hell down or he was going to hurt someone. And if he didn’t, I’d have the librarian kick him out. That seemed to do the trick. I actually had an older person come over to me and thank me for doing it. So it’s not just me. And the librarians don’t do squat to make things better.
I’ve been AMAZED since I moved to Canada at the focus on libraries being «social outlets» for kids. All well and good, but adults, who use the library to read and study, are the ones whose taxes pay for the salaries and the upkeep. How about giving us back our quiet havens of learning and let the munchkins go to Chuck E. Cheese’s? Or give them a separate room to do their social kid crap. This is getting seriously ridiculous.

Whats wrong with this Library — Nothing at all!
I read all these reviews and I think peoples expectations of a free service are a little un-​realistic.
News Flash: Kids use Library computers cause they dont have one at home. This makes the library a social enviroment for youth — something it hasnt been in a long time. Isnt that a good thing? Once thier desires to tweet have passed, perhaps they will stay for some of the other services.
Sorry it is nosier than you remember, the library is evolving whether you like it or not. Have you noticed there is more non-​book media at the library than ever? This reflects the wants of a new generation. If you feel the library of your youth has been tarnished, sorry but this is 2012 and not much is the same as you remember from the «good olé days»
I agree, the library should be a family enviroment — not a daycare but there is a sense of balance that should be expected.
Still think its an issue? Put your books on hold online, go pick em up and go home again to read them in the tranquility you create — problem solved!

I find that this Library is way to busy and loud. My first visit was on a Saturday so I took that into consideration and gave it the benefit of the doubt. Needing to fix a part of my project I returned to the Library on a Tuesday morning. Once again I found that the Library is to crowded for the space and the children are running around unsupervised and it feels a lot like a daycare. I love children, however when I can’t hear myself think in a Library I get a bit frustrated. I also didn’t like the shortage of computers because whenever I need to prepay for copies someone would log me out and I would lose my corrected work. The only benefit I give to this library is the hard working staff. The library is to hectic, like I’ve said. So if you are looking for a nice quiet place to study or find some good books I advise not to visit this branch.

I like this library tons. When I went in, I realized it was much bigger than I expected from its modest exterior. You know what that means, right? Way more books! Yay!
Points off because two of the books I wanted were already taken out (but I think that’s a good thing, because that means 1. People are reading, and 2. The books I want are probably pretty good), but points added because I found some other awesome books.
The staff were really nice here and helped me figure out the best membership card and found a library card I wanted with the colour and slogan I liked. («Girls dig big brains,» on a blue card, in case you were wondering.)
Definitely coming back when my books are all done!

I try coming here to get some work done but there are never enough power outlets or computers available. It’s just full of kids checking their Facebook and watching movies illegally on YouTube. My how libraries have changed over generations.
When I was a kid I didn’t go all the way to the library just to watch the latest Lady Gaga video.
Just make sure you bring your own laptop and make sure it was ample battery life.

This is an OK library. It is really quiet and can be good to study if you find seating but they don’t have enough seating nor enough plug-​ins for people that want to use their own laptops.
The library is obviously good for books, they have a large selection, but they also have their own computers that you can use to browse the internet and print off items. My printer at home broke down so I used one at the library and it was pretty convenient.
I wouldn’t recommend it as a first choice to study.

I go to this library to study on occasion. I prefer to study at an internet café but a change of scenery can be really nice from time to time. This library is nice and quiet. I’ve never been disturbed by anyone. My only complaint would be the lack of seating and the lack of power outlets. If there are more than a few people studying at the library with laptops, I’m usually out of luck. It is very difficult to find a comfortable place with a plug-​in. That is my one an only complaint. The staff are friendly and have always been able to help me find what I’m looking for — they have a great selection of well-​organized books.