For immediate release:
Edmonton, AB, August 4, 2021 – The Edmonton Public Library (EPL) celebrates major award wins for the Stanley A. Milner Library. The revitalized library was recognized with the international John Cotton Dana Award for its Virtual Open House and the Canadian Special Events Award for its Grand Opening Ceremony. The Library also received global recognition from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) for its sustainability efforts.
“EPL is thrilled to receive such amazing and diverse national and international recognition for the revitalized Stanley A. Milner Library,” said EPL CEO, Pilar Martinez. “After a three-year construction journey and being temporarily closed due to COVID-19, these accolades are gratifying validation for the beautiful, state-of-the-art and environmentally friendly space we’ve created.”
Milner Library Grand Opening: Virtual and In-Person Celebrations
The goal for the Milner Library Grand Opening was to provide virtual and in-person opportunities for the public to experience the spectacular new space and explore the library, despite the COVID-19 restrictions in place.
The John Cotton Dana Award recognizes EPL for its Virtual Milner Open House programming which included new programming every hour featuring key spaces and services and ended with a live Spelling Bee. The event garnered over 61,000 views online on the event day and drove move than 10,000 unique page views to the “Hello Milner” webpage. The prestigious John Cotton Dana Award is a $10,000 grant and recognizes libraries that demonstrate outstanding library public relations. EPL is honored to be the only Canadian library to win the award this year. The win also marks the second time EPL has received this award for its rebrand in 2011– distinguishing EPL as a rare repeat winner of this award.
The Canadian Special Events Award recognizes the Milner Grand Opening Celebration with a win for the Best Event Produced for a Community Based Non-Profit. Working within AHS guidelines, EPL hosted a small in-person ceremony before opening to the general public for a weekend-long celebration. Customers were encouraged to register online for a free tour during the opening weekend, which resulted in a total of 5,500 Edmontonians visiting the revitalized library across the four-day period.
Green Library Award
IFLA is the leading international body and global voice of the library and information profession. The Award recognizes libraries that demonstrate commitment to environmental sustainability through sustainable buildings, information resources and programming, and conservation of resources and energy. The Stanley A. Milner Library receives the honour as the only Canadian library to win this year among international nominees from Australia, China, France, Slovenia and Spain. The revitalized Milner Library features highly efficient equipment, controls and building envelope that reduces the overall consumption of utilities when compared to the previous building. The Milner Library is pending LEED Silver status, which is currently under review.
Media Contact:
Lynda Vang, Communications Specialist, Edmonton Public Library
Lynda.Vang@epl.ca
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About the Edmonton Public Library
The Edmonton Public Library (EPL) is proud to be 2014 Library of the Year! We’ve come a long way since 1913 when books were all you could find on our shelves… and we’re just getting started! Today, EPL carries everything you care about. We are Edmonton’s largest lender of all manner of information and entertainment. Our professionally trained staff take you beyond Google with the knowledge, discernment and desire to help you navigate a universe of information. The second most visited place in Edmonton, every year EPL hosts over 14 million in-branch and online visits across our 20 branches and website. We deliver our incredible content to you everywhere – in the library, at home or on your handheld device. Unmatched access and unrivalled value – that is today’s EPL. EPL is a registered charity and relies on donations to enhance services. Spread the words. epl.ca/donate.
