Leduc Public Library

All I have to say is that I am so glad that I have re-​discovered the library! I haven’t been to a library in about 15 years, and I am so glad to live in a community with such a beautiful location. This library is huge!
I did find the shelves a little bare when I first walked through, but no worries! You can just request a book and they will bring it in for you.
I found that there are a lot of places to sit, whether it’s at a table or on the couches. My favorite spot is by the fireplace, but I’m not the only one who likes it there.
The only down side is that I found it a little loud for a library, especially later in the afternoon once the kids were out of school. A library, in my opinion, should not be an after school daycare with kids running around and yelling. I found it hard to concentrate and there were students trying to study that found it distracting and ended up just leaving.
Other then that I absolutely love it here and look forward to many visits in the future.

This is a review for the new location of the Leduc Public Library, which is attached to the north side of the Civic Center, right next to where the original library was. Unfortunately, I tried calling the library to get a physical address of the new library location but the lady I spoke to didn’t have one. If you turn to park at the Alexandra Arena though the new library is in the same parking lot. It’s a huge building and pretty hard to miss.
Part of me was sad when I found out the old library was closing, because that’s where I spent a lot of time as a kid (yes, I am a book nerd), but I’ve been to the new library a few times now and it is awesome.
The building is much bigger than the original (18,000 square feet according to an article in the paper) and it is something Leduc really needs. It has a more modern design than the old library with glass windows on the front and the west side. It makes the library look brighter and more open. There are plenty of computers around for looking up books, and just like before the library is hooked up to the TRAC system so you can put a hold on any available library item in the province.
The library has lots of seating including desks with power outlets and a long counter with high bar style chairs along the west side of the building, which overlooks the Civic Centre reservoir (and currently the construction area for the splash park). At the back wall is a gas fireplace with a seating arrangement of several comfortable armchairs and side tables. The fireplace wasn’t going when I went, likely because it was pretty nice outside, but when it was colder it was going. There are also two rows of computer work desks with internet near the front.
The back is also where the washrooms are. The old library washrooms were a one single bathroom (one male, one female) and you needed a key from the librarian to unlock the door. These washrooms don’t require a key. It’s just like a regular bathroom with stalls. I don’t know about the men’s washroom, but the women’s washroom had 5 toilets and three sinks. The washroom also uses eco-​friendly flush toilets, and there’s a small step for little kids to use the sink.
The library also has two self-​checkout counter, as well as a main staffed checkout/​information desk at the front. The self-​checkout is easy to use. You scan your barcode and enter your pin. Then you scan your items and you can choose whether or not to get a receipt. You can also renew books and check your account at the self-​checkouts.
One thing the new location doesn’t have (yet) is wording on the sides of the shelves to let you know what section you’re in (fiction, nonfiction, etc). Of course on the sides of the books, and on the front of the multimedia items there is still the Dewey Decimal information. From what I could tell the kids and young adult stuff is on far left side, then there’s the nonfiction section, then to the right of that is fiction, and finally close the right wall are multimedia and reference section. Holds to pick up are near the front of the library, as are large print and nonEnglish books. I’m sure the library will put the sections on the sides of the shelves eventually. Some of the shelves are barer than before, but I think that’s just because there’s so much more space than at the old location. As more items come in the shelves will seem less bare.
The library staff has been really helpful and friendly since I’ve come to the new library. They’ve always said hi or asked if I need help finding something or using the self-​checkout. While there’s been quite a few people in the library when I’ve gone I haven’t found it any noisier or busier than before. Actually because the space is so big it seems quieter. The library still offers different programs for kids and meetings for different events, but I didn’t use or see any of the private meeting areas so I can’t comment on that
Important things to know.
— You need a pin to use the self-​checkout. You can ask for help if you don’t remember your pin or need to set one up.
— There are return slots inside the library and on the outside of the building at the front. There isn’t a drive-​thru return slot anymore.
— There are steps to get up to the library as well as a ramp for those with mobility issues.
— Library fines, as far as I know, still have to be paid in cash. No debit or credit.
— The library has free WiFi, and there are computers with Internet. The computers with internet are only available until 30 minutes before closing.
— As of this review date, library cards are still free to residents of Leduc.
— You can no longer access the library through the Civic Centre.
— The parking lot is the same one at the Alex Arena, and when there’s events at the Alex hockey games, etc. it could get a bit busy.

Great library. Lots of free programs for all ages. Lots of computers. They are upgrading the library to be open soon. The TRaC system is awesome. They will bring in any book they don’t have from over 150 different libraries across Alberta. Oh and did I mention free! Yay!

One of the things I miss most about being a resident of Leduc has to be the wonderful public library. The staff is very friendly and if you have a question they go about answering it without hesitation or suggestion that you log onto the library computer and try and find it yourself. There is a sign on the front desk that says to feel free to interrupt them and really that is what a libraries first priority should be… connecting it’s patrons with the knowledge they are seeking.
The fiction selection is pretty cool in the way that they have books that are more then a few years old unlike the public libraries in Edmonton you can check the covers and feel confident you will eventually come across a book published in the early 90’s. I always liked stumbling across a series that I read at a younger age and reconnecting with it.
The non fiction section however could use a little bit of work. It only takes up about a quarter of the library and tends to avoid obscure or uncomfortable topics. I did papers on cancer as well as abortion in college and they could only offer me one or two books on both of those subjects.
There is a decent amount of computer terminals offered in the library and they have added more in the last few years but it is still a problem if your trying to snag one during lunch hour or immediately after school you end up competing with the students from the junior high across the street and unlike here in Edmonton you can’t book them in advance. It is more practical and efficient to make use of one of the wifi connections offered unless of course you are needing to print something.
Depending on the time of year you can also get involved with one of the many workshops or programs the Leduc Public Library offers. I look back with fond memories on the Halloween scrapbooking project I got to learn to make as well as the opportunity I had to come in and speak to an author about what it takes to write and publish your own novel. I really wish Edmonton Public would bring in more programs that individuals could take and not gear so much of it towards just children. For instance I would love to take the beginner sign language program but somehow I think all those new mothers with their babies would be a wee bit concerned to see me sitting down in front and childless.
I love EPL and have brought home many interesting titles from their shelves but any time I stop into the library to kill time when im in Leduc I tend to open up my wallet and frown a bit at my EPL borrower card… I really do miss Leduc and all the great things the library has to offer.