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Geoffrey + Robyn Sperber Health Sciences Library is located in the Edmonton Clinic Health Academy (ECHA), and opened in 2023. It’s a library with a bit of a new car smell – the modern furniture, variety of study spaces and technology integration make this library one of my favourite spots to study and work.
I like the building that houses the library. ECHA has a cheerful exterior – the coloured panels parallel the LRT tracks and complement the Butterdome in the distance. The interior is equally bright, with plentiful natural light and bright colours. Sperber Library itself is by the Starbucks in ECHA, and has a gorgeously curated Health Sciences exhibit in the front entry with antique dental tools, as well as biographies of prolific figures in 91ÒùĸÊÓƵn dentistry.
Beyond the exhibit, there are collaborative, quiet, and silent study zones with a variety of seating options. Whiteboards are plentiful, as are places to charge your phone and laptop.
I appreciate the variety of updated furniture. Large tables, comfortable corner chairs, and barstool-style chairs with countertop tables are the primary seating options, as well as the tiered seating area that accompanies the stairs, adorned with beanbag chairs, cushions and stool-tables.
Be careful going down the stairs – I looked up at the green-foliage accent wall and almost missed a step, so admire the design safely! If you think you might twist your ankle going down the stairs (or don’t take stairs for other reasons), the elevator’s easy to find and easy to access. The aisles between shelves and tables are fairly wide, and the different seating types offer accessible study spot options and ease of mobility.
As it is a health sciences library, the books on shelves are all related to health sciences, though what’s on the shelves is far from all this library has to offer. Library staff are always willing to provide resources to aid your research, including workshop sessions, guidance with database searching, finding a specific source and assistance with room booking.
Sperber Library also offers spacious and updated gender neutral washrooms, making this library even more accessible to all students on campus, and a great spot to . They have a dozen group rooms available for booking in two-hour time slots, and a number of individual study rooms as well, so you can lock in and get your work done in a semi-private space. Another accessibility perk is that the lights can dim, making these spots more accessible to campus community members with sensory sensitivities.
I think the rooms are pleasant, bright and excellent updated spaces to work, though the silent work zone in the lower part of the library is visually bold and invites your brain to focus in a low-distraction yet still visually appealing environment.
I really like the variety of seating, and was surprised to find a Seasonal Affective Disorder lamp tucked away beneath the stairs. I found the spot to be a lovely, quiet, low-traffic and mood-boosting spot to work on this very article.
On top of traditional library staples, Sperber offers a host of other services to aid in your studying.
A unique aspect of Sperber Library is the , a meeting place for community learning through Indigenous pedagogies and ways of knowing. Anyone can submit a request to book the space, and library staff will assist in confirming your booking. Some suggested ideas for using this space include:
- Visits with Elders
- Beading Circles
- Guest academics
- Sharing Circles
- Smudging
- Meetings of Indigenous student groups
The Library will also host guest speakers and workshops in the Indigenous Learning Space from time to time, and these sessions are open to all members of the campus community.
One of these services is mediated, . You send your model to the library staff, and they will print the model for you to pick up either at Sperber or Cameron Library in less than 5 business days. This service is free for students and staff, and is a great way to ease into 3D printing for beginners. There are displays of various models to print, including models designed for accessibility, like fidget/stim toys, grip assists and more!
There is also the , which is a recording studio with a four-person capacity. You can book the studio in two-hour increments, and it’s ideal for recording things with 1-2 speakers like podcasts, interviews, training videos and other small recording projects.
Don’t forget to check out the , which offers tons of educational and creative programs to assist in learning things like anatomy, visualization of chemical compounds and design.
You can also play Beat Saber in the VR Lab! You can book your two-hour slot in to give your brain a change of pace and some chill time in a virtual space.
If you haven’t visited Sperber Library, I highly recommend picking it for your next study session. The variety of spaces, technology and other resources make this library a prime place to explore on North Campus.