Frequently Asked Questions

The Edmonton Public Library is so excited to host you for our first Locked Library event! Here are some additional details and recommendations to help you plan your evening.

About Locked Library
Tickets and Hours
Getting to Milner
Playing the Game

  • Locked Library is an immersive, after-hours escape room event at the Stanley A. Milner Library. You and your team will work together to crack the case by solving an elaborate series of puzzles across four floors of the library before time runs out. 

  • Participants will have two hours to solve four complex, multimedia puzzles located across four floors of the Stanley A. Milner Library. Teams will move throughout the library as they work through each challenge rather than staying in one room or area. To “win” the game, your team must solve all four puzzles before time runs out. 

About Locked Library

  • Yes, EPL requires one ticket per person attending the event. We recommend registering as a team, and for the most engaging experience, teams should have between two and four players. 

  • Yes, all participants will be required to show their ticket to access the event.  

  • Unfortunately, we are unable to provide refunds for this event.

  • Tickets can be transferred if you are unable to attend, but EPL must be informed ahead of time to streamline check in. Requests to transfer tickets must be made to give@epl.ca by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, October 16, 2026.  

  • The doors will open and check in will begin at 7:00 p.m. The game will start at 8:00 p.m.  

  • Once all team members have arrived, please have one person from your team to check in. We will look up the ticket purchaser’s name and check in all members of your team. You will then receive your team’s gameplay envelope. 
     

    Envelopes will be organized alphabetically by the last name of the team member who purchased the tickets. If tickets were purchased separately, please let the check in desk know, and we can look up the additional ticket purchasers.

  • If you and your team arrive after 8:00 p.m., you are still welcome to play. You will need to enter the Library via the South Entrance (101A Ave and 100 St, near the Westin). Please note that all teams will have a recorded start time of 8:00 p.m., regardless of arrival time. 

Tickets and Hours

  • If you plan on driving to the event, the closest option is the Library Parkade, below the Library/Citadel Theatre, with direct access into Milner Library on Level P2. Please note that the P2 entrance doors will only be unlocked from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. You may exit through the P2 doors into the parkade after the game, but you will not be able to re-enter the building through the P2 doors once you have exited. Other downtown underground and surface lots are also available. We recommend checking the City of Edmonton Parking Map in advance for hours and rates.  

  • EPL strongly encourages Locked Library participants to take transit for this event. Stanley A. Milner is located steps away from Churchill LRT Station (Valley Line and Capital Line), as well as several major bus routes. 

  • The main entrance of Milner will not be used for this event. Instead, participants may use the South Entrance (101A Ave and 100 St., near the Westin), or the parkade entrance on P2 of the Library Parkade. Please note: the parkade entrance will only be available from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. After 8:00 p.m., all participants must enter through the South Entrance. Once you exit into the parkade through the P2 doors, you will not be able to re-enter the building through those doors. 

Getting to Milner

  • Absolutely! Halloween costumes are welcome at the event. As this is a public library event, please keep costumes respectful, inclusive, and appropriate for a public space. Costumes should not include culturally insensitive or discriminatory imagery, hate symbols, or other offensive content. For safety and accessibility, full-face masks, realistic weapons or weapon replicas, and other costume props that could pose a safety risk are not permitted. Library staff may ask participants to remove or modify any costume or prop that is disruptive, offensive, or creates a safety concern.Everything else you need is included in the game package your team receives when they check in. 

  • Every team will need to have at least one smartphone or tablet to complete the puzzles. The game includes scannable QR codes that will take you to multimedia content hosted on websites. EPL Wi-Fi will be available for the event. Headphones may be helpful for listening to audio but are not required.  

    Everything else you need is included in the game package your team receives when they check in. 

  • You will need to have a smartphone or other smart mobile device as you will be completing some tasks on your phone. EPL Wi-Fi will be available for the event.

  • Locked Library is an event for EVERYONE – just like the Library is a space for everyone! Please email give@epl.ca with your accessibility concerns.  

  • No… and that’s what makes this so exciting! This game is designed to challenge puzzle-solvers. Usually, only half of the participants complete the game. Will you and your team succeed and become part of this exclusive group? There’s only one way to find out! 

  • There will be hint stations throughout the event if you and your team get stuck and need some guidance!

Playing the Game

  • Locked Library is recommended for ages 12+, as some of the puzzles and clues will be challenging for younger guests. That said, the event is designed to be family-friendly! Younger participants can enjoy searching for clues, exploring the space, and helping the team solve puzzles.  

  • Second Cup, located in the atrium of Stanley A. Milner, will be open for the duration of the event.

  • You can bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages to this event, but please be respectful of the Library and its materials, furnishings, and equipment. Absolutely no alcoholic beverages can be consumed on the premises. 

  • Teams “win” the escape room by completing the game within the two-hour time frame. We will be keeping track of how long each team takes to complete the game – the timer will begin at 8:00 p.m. After you have “escaped,” you can secure your bragging rights by taking a photo with your team that documents your time. 

  • The team who completes the game the fastest will receive a small token to commemorate their success!

  • We would love for you to take photos of the event, and we would love to see them! Please feel free to tag us in your posts by using #eplLockedLibrary


Still have questions? Let us know at give@epl.ca"