eplGO

The Edmonton Public Library never ceases to amaze me and the eplGo location within Cameron Library is no exception.
This is a cute little library with helpful staff, in a very convenient spot! While they have shorter hours than normal (I believe they typically close at 5:00) I love reserving books to this location and picking them up on my lunch hour. They also have a partnership for UofA students carrying a ONEcard enabling them to borrow resources as well.
As this library is a bit smaller, the noise of one person chatting can easily be heard throughout the entire room. Additionally there are minimal seating areas, which discourages patrons from staying a while. Lunch break only lasts so long, though, which means I’m completely content visiting all the same. Besides, less room to sit means more room for books! :)

Extremely convenient for any student on campus. Simply down load the EPL app and place books on hold to be picked up at any of the locations on Edmonton. eplGO is located in Cameron library and is easy to access for anyone picking up or returning their books. Everything is fairly automated so the process runs really smoothly. Being able to drop off your library books in between classes or on a lunch break is great and I would definitely have accumulated many a late fees had it not been for eplGO!

This is the coolest service! As a student, sometimes it can be really difficult to find time to spend in the public library. Why not bring the books to us? I would have LOVED to have a service when I was doing my undergraduate studies in Calgary. (Take note CPL!) It’s so innovative.
Most of the eplGO space is taken up by holds that have been brought in. However, they actually have a pretty decent selection of other books considering how small the space is. I’ve definitely found a few interesting titles just by browsing the stacks.
I also love that I don’t need to buy a separate card for EPL services; not that I wouldn’t but it’s really cool that they want to encourage students to use their services by giving them full access to the collection with their student cards. Good job EPL!

This is strictly a review of the EPLGO concept at U of A. It’s a really brilliant idea, especially since I don’t have to get out into the cold to actually pick up a hold from my city library! How cool is that? I think EPLGo, is a really neat service that helps out a lot of U of A folk.
I’ve heard you can gain free access to the EPL with a student card, which is great — although I wouldn’t say the $ 12 a year fee that EPL charges leaves a damaging mark on my annual income. In any case, coupled with their extra-​convenient website and huge collection of books, videos, digital media etc., I would have to give EPLGo a completely 5 star — it IS as good as it gets!

I’m not sure of the details of how this all got started, but you can now use your U of A library card to get access to the EPL for free. And to make things even more convenient, there is now an EPL location on the first floor of the Cameron library that you can get your holds sent to. I loves it.