The Library was able to give resources that I need in order to succeed in my studies. It changed my academic performances because I couldn't afford one.

Before the Covid-19 lockdown, I was always able to afford my own books - and many other creature comforts. Then when the days of lockdown dwindled down, I moved from a small city in B.C. to Edmonton, Alberta, and faced the most financially difficult time of my life. I could not be accepted for a job due to my lack of education, and it took a year before I received provincial assistance. For myself, stories have always been as vital for my well-being as water and sunlight, and being without the money to discover more stories left me feeling like the best parts of me were withering. However, with access to countless books, DVDs, CDs, and video games, the Edmonton Public Library helped me feel like myself as I made improvements through a difficult time.

I first acquired my library card to help me study for educational purposes as I am pursuing my GED/CAEC, but then the EPL provided me with more than I expected. I was granted a safe place to go, and cultivate the best parts of my mind; a sanctuary for me to thrive, where I am free to think positive thoughts. I read for academic reasons, but also for joy and connection.

The EPL has also been a meeting place for me and my best friend as we stay in touch through our two person book club. Our special connection through books would not have been possible for me to partake in during my financial struggles without the EPL, nor would I have been able to discover my favorite books, which I have borrowed more times than I can count. I am grateful for every turning page that the library supplies, and I cherish every indelible memory that has been endowed to me through this invaluable service.

The Library didn't change my life for the "better" or for "worse". In fact, it changed my life. Having easily accessed to computer made it easier for me to do my homework and projects because I couldn't afford a personal computer to use at home. Also, the library fulfills that need to be loved and cared for. I was able to have "peace" of mind and privacy where no one is constantly in my space all the time. The Library also supported me during the "hard" times because it gave me resources that I need.

I have gone to the Woodcroft branch of the EPL since I was 5 and it was a 'split-level' building. As I got older, I would use the library's resource material, often going to the main branch with friends.

I used the computers to research material when family members were dying. Just being in the library, with the smell of books, is a calming environment for me.

I am really happy that the EPL plays such a big role in the community. People of all ages and walks of life are welcome at the library. Thank you for the wonderful staff and all that they do! Thanks for the maker space, art, music and lectures.

The library allows you to borrow books and other materials and return them, free of charge. This saves a lot of money. I keep meaning to keep a record of the total value of borrowed items. I know it is a very big number.

Borrowing and returning solves another problem: avoiding clutter. You can donate the books and cds and dvds you bought, but I suspect that charities are more interested in items such as clothing and household goods.

My husband was involved in a terrible accident in southern Alberta on August 1,

2024. He is still recovering from the horric injuries he sustained. If it had not been for the resource of being able to come to EPL, I wouldn't have survived. Waiting for him to be released has been made bearable because I have been able to come to the library to pass the time, do Bible studies, etc. I'm so grateful for EPL. What a wonderful institution!!

Once of the first things I did when I moved to Edmonton in 2015 was get a library card. Joining the library allowed be to feel like a member of the community before I met anyone in a new city. At the time I was a poor graduate student, so it was nice to be able to access free books and movies via the library. EPL has a great selection, and I have continued to benefit from being a member even after finishing my schooling. In fact, I only see myself using them more in the coming years enjoying the classes, programs, and speakers that they host. I plan to continue enjoying the library for many years to come!

Last year I tentatively started a new relationship. I am now very 'appy with my new companion. Libby has become a trusted friend. She is a consistent, reliable and highly entertaining.

During the pandemic in 2020 the CNIB stopped providing audiobooks for their members due to contamination concerns. My grandma is legally blind and lives in a seniors home, and relied heavily on those books. Once EPL started lending materials again I began checking audiobooks out for my grandma, in order to make up for the void. Since my grandma lives in another town I was only able to get books to her every 6 to 8 weeks. One day an astute librarian noticed that I had quite a pile of books and I told her that I was supplying my grandma with materials since she was often on lock down and isolated at the care centre. She made a change to my account allowing me to have materials for 6 weeks at a time, which was so helpful. My grandma is now 96 and has read over 100 books from EPL since we started doing this. She has remarked many times that she is so grateful to have had these books and that they literally saved her life during the height of the pandemic, as she literally had nothing to do but wait to die. I am still bringing her books every 6-8 weeks and it has become our ritual for me to collect the old ones, get her reviews and then take stock of what I've brought her this time. For me it has been such a gift to be able to help my grandma through the pandemic, since in many cases it felt like there was very little anyone could do except try to stay healthy and bake sourdough bread! I am eternally grateful for EPL, thank you!!

I have been working to improve my French for the last three years and, as part of that broader goal, set a subgoal of reading one book in French per month. I have found it is often more expensive to purchase books in French, and it was starting to get so costly to keep up with that goal that I was wondering if I should continue. Thanks to EPL's excellent French collection, I've been able to.

I'm planning to tackle Arabic next and have already been poking around, looking at what EPL has available in Arabic!

I have also found myself increasingly checking English language books out, too. It's a great way to give genres and authors a chance whom I'd be hesitant about if I were spending money. Instead of forcing myself to pick and choose in the name of being financially responsible, I can try everything! It's opened up new doors in my reading.

I also REALLY enjoyed the Summer Reading challenge this summer! Beyond the delight of getting to colour in my little popsicles, the challenges pushed me to try new things and to make time for things I want to do but often put off. Now please announce the winners already… (just kidding [but not really])

I often find myself thinking how amazing it is that libraries exist. We are so lucky. Thank you, EPL!

Brandy was hosting the Preschool problem solvers and allowed me daughter (underage) to stay. I stayed to observe. She is patient, encouraging, positive and encourages participation in any way the kids want to join. It was so beautiful to watch the kids interact with each other and with her. The Woodcroft branch is so lucky to have her. Name tags were welcome anywhere, as you can see! 🙂

There is no question that EPL has changed my life and the life of my children for the better. My husband and I adopted our 2 children from India a few months ago, right when the summer started. One of the first local trips we did was to the Castledown EPL and the staff there were so welcoming to our children. The staff introduced them to the summer reading program, and our kids made sure we read to them every night and now it's a part of our bedtime routine. We also attended a few summer library programs both at Castledown and at Clairview EPL. This helped the children get a taste for Canadian culture, learning how to work and listen in a group, sit in a reading circle and learn about interesting topics on space and animals.

Thank you, EPL, for making their first few months here in Canada and enjoyable and welcoming one!

The book “Safe” by Mark Daley was on display at my local library. I devoured it in 2 days and messaged the author on instagram because his story of being a foster parent was so moving. He replied to my message and was so grateful to hear I’d been recommending his book. I would’ve never found this book without the library!

I’ve always loved libraries as they were one consistent staple throughout my childhood as my family and I moved to over 20 different towns and cities in my first 20 years. We always regularly visited libraries and got tons of books to read.

As I got older I’d always wanted to design library buildings, which I did and have been some of my most satisfying projects to work on.

Now that I have kids, we visit the Stanley Milner at least once a week over the past few years. It’s such a wonderful resource and there’s something there for each of us. I love books and the cooking classes. We all just love the children’s library area with its multitude of activities and the staff there are incredible. Both kids have enjoyed ‘sing song laugh and learn’. My 6 year old loves to use the kids game systems and my 2 year old loves to wander and explore everything. Last year my son even had his birthday party at the library in the children’s makerspace. He had a blast.

The library has been a pivotal part of my life and I am so grateful to have one of the most innovative and supportive library systems in the world here at EPL!

Wonderful, thank you to Public Libraries and Edmonton do have a whole lot more than just books. I signed up for various classes. i love to write, sew, make, learn, write poems, play with painting plus drawing, lasser, cook and more plus read. Some libraries offer all this and more. Thank you this is wonderful. Library certainly has changed. Keeping up with the times. Oh and they offer PodCast something else for me to try.