Shelley Milner Children's Library

The Shelley Milner Children’s Library is located on the main floor of the Stanley A. Milner Library in the heart of downtown Edmonton. We aim to provide a vibrant community learning space for children, their families and caregivers. Within our walls, you’ll find space, equipment and collections to support children’s literacy development, electronic gaming, creating and making, play, research and reading from birth up to age 12.

Video produced and edited by Cadden & Bell Productions

Services

Gwyn Morgan & Patricia Trottier Foundation Early Literacy Centre

Guided by their parents or caregivers, young children can build pre-literacy skills through exploratory and sensory play.

Check out the timelapse of the mural that adorns one of the walls of the centre. Special thanks to Vignettes.

Brown Family Playspace

Children, under the supervision of their parents and caregivers, can engage in numerous types of free play independently or collaboratively including gross motor, creative and imaginary play inspired by a wide variety of props and equipment.

Books, Movies, Music & More

Library materials will be available for children from 0-12 years old, including board books, paperbacks, series, fiction, non-fiction, magazines, movies, music, video games and audiobooks. Browse the collection or ask for help finding your next great read!

Al & Fran Olson Children’s Makerspace

Children and families can explore and experiment with technology, construction, digital design, robotics, 3D printing, photography, music and more on their own and through staff-facilitated classes.

Gaming

Our Gaming Space contains a Nintendo Switch and an Xbox One, bookable by the hour for solo or collaborative play.

Ten public access computers are available for gaming, browsing, homework and more.

Early LiteracyEarly Literacy at EPL

Language and literacy are essential for your child’s happy and healthy development. Find out how daily interactions help set up your child for a lifetime of learning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Children's Library: FAQs

  • Anyone can visit the Shelley Milner Children’s Library to find material, view the space or ask questions of library staff.  However, the space is designed for children from birth to early teens and their accompanying parents or caregivers.

    Children are the focus and the priority in the Children’s Library. Adults without children are asked to use the public computers on the second and third floors.

    Child care and dayhome groups are welcome to drop in and use the Children’s Library during all open hours; however, not all spaces, classes and events may be open or able to accommodate large groups on a given day or time. Please consider calling ahead.

  • Parents and caregivers are expected to be attentive to the children under their care, to reinforce safety messages communicated by EPL staff and encourage social behaviours in their children like sharing and turn taking.

    Parents and caregivers can ask EPL staff for a quiet space or help distracting or calming down a distraught child.

    The Shelley Milner Children’s Library is breastfeeding friendly.

  • No, a library card is only required to borrow material. Cards are FREE and babies three and under can receive a Welcome Baby package including your choice of board book!

    To get your free library card, sign up online or visit any one of our 21 locations.

  • We've postponed the Play Support Volunteer position due to COVID-19 safety regulations. Check back later to learn more and to apply for the position.

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