Alexis Millar is the former Digital Marketing Specialist at the Edmonton Public Library.
When you sign up for an Edmonton Public Library (EPL) card, you unlock much more than books. An EPL card gives you free access to classes and events, digital resources, movies, music, language learning tools, and more. All at no cost.
Signing up, opens a new window is easy, free, and takes about five minutes. Here are 13 ways your EPL library card can support your learning, creativity, and everyday life.
Ways Your EPL Card Can Help
1. Stream Movies and TV Shows
In addition to DVDs, opens a new window and Blu-rays, opens a new window, your EPL card lets you stream movies and TV shows online. Watch popular titles on hoopla, opens a new window, including Hamilton: One Shot at Broadway, opens a new window and new releases, or explore Kanopy, opens a new window, home to documentaries, classic films, world cinema, TV series, and animation.
Kanopy Kids, opens a new window offers family-friendly, age-appropriate viewing. Both services work on computers, tablets, mobile devices, and Apple TV.
Who needs Netflix when you’ve got a library card?
2. Learn English
EPL offers free programs and online tools to support English language learners, opens a new window. Build your reading, writing, and speaking skills with resources like Transparent Language Online, opens a new window, Road to IELTS, opens a new window, Mango Languages, opens a new window, and Clear Pronunciation, opens a new window. All included with your library card.
3. Learn a Second or Third Language
Explore dozens of languages at various skill levels using Mango Language Learning, opens a new window or AV2 World Languages, opens a new window. Whether you are preparing for travel or working toward fluency, EPL makes language learning accessible.
You can also browse EPL’s World Languages Collection, opens a new window, featuring books, newspapers, and magazines in many languages.
4. Play Video Games
From classic favourites to popular new titles, EPL’s collection includes video games, opens a new window for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and more. Place a hold if a game is in high demand.
You can also visit the Makerspace, opens a new window at Stanley A. Milner Library, opens a new window to enjoy retro arcade games and gaming consoles.
5. Brush Up on Your Skills
Learn something new or sharpen your professional skills with thousands of online courses from LinkedIn Learning, opens a new window and Gale Courses, opens a new window. Topics include software, business, accounting, digital literacy, and more.
6. Read Local and International News
Use your library card to access newspapers like the Edmonton Journal, opens a new window, New York Times, opens a new window, and thousands of international newspapers and magazines through PressReader, opens a new window, Flipster, opens a new window, and other platforms, opens a new window. All free.
7. Get Creative in the Makerspace
EPL Makerspaces, opens a new window across the city offer tools and technology to help you create. Record music or podcasts in sound booths, digitize photos and VHS tapes, experiment with green screens, code with Raspberry Pi kits, or explore robotics.
Some services, such as 3D printing, sewing, vinyl cutting, and heat press, are available for a small materials fee.
8. Dive into Graphic Novels and Manga
Discover comics and graphic novels from Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and more through our online resources, opens a new window. EPL also offers a wide selection, opens a new window of physical graphic novels and manga for all ages.
9. Find Your New Favourite Recipe
Explore food cultures from around the world with AtoZ World Food, opens a new window!, featuring recipes and food history from 174 countries. You can also browse EPL’s extensive cookbook collection, opens a new window in print and digital formats.
Hands-on learners can register for cooking classes and events at The Kitchen, opens a new window.
10. Listen to Audiobooks and eBooks
Enjoy audiobooks and eBooks, opens a new window anywhere using your library card. Apps like Libby by OverDrive, opens a new window make it easy to read or listen on your phone, tablet, or computer. Perfect for commutes or walks.
11. Get Reading Recommendations
Not sure what to read next? Use NoveList, opens a new window to find read-alikes and discover new authors, or explore staff-curated EPL Picks, opens a new window lists for inspiration.
12. Discover New Interests
From birdwatching, opens a new window to genealogy research, opens a new window, EPL offers resources to help you explore new hobbies and passions. Your library card is a great place to start something new.
13. Explore Music and Attend Events
Stream over 125,000 albums through Naxos Music Library, or download music by local artists with Capital City Records, opens a new window.
EPL also hosts a wide range of free events and classes online, opens a new window and in person, opens a new window, including language classes, storytimes, workshops, and more.
Get Started Today
Whatever your interests, EPL is here to help. Visit a branch to chat with staff, get recommendations, or explore resources online from home.
Get your free EPL library card today and start discovering everything the library has to offer.
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