Introducing Ali Al kassab

Meet Ali Al kassab, who is running to join our City Council in ward Anirniq. We have asked all candidates to share their thoughts on the Edmonton Public Library through a short questionnaire. Here's what Ali had to say. 

Q&A with Ali Al kassab

What is your favourite library memory or experience?

This is a wonderful question. My favorite library memory takes me back to my childhood. It wasn't about a single book, but about the ritual. My mother would take my siblings and me every Saturday. The feeling of walking out with a tall stack of books each one a chosen adventure felt like riches. The librarians knew our names and our interests. They weren't just staff; they were guides.

That early experience taught me that a library is a place of welcome, discovery, and community connection. It's that feeling of potential and support that I see EPL creating in every branch today, and it's exactly the kind of inclusive environment I'm committed to fostering in Anirniq.

What is one book you think everyone should read and why?

I would suggest To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

While it's a classic many read in school, its lessons are timeless. It’s a masterclass in empathy, justice, and moral courage, seen through the eyes of a child. It teaches us to ‘climb into someone’s skin and walk around in it’ which is, at its core, the job of every public servant.

Why should everyone read it? It’s a permanent reminder that the fight for justice and fairness is ongoing, and that true courage isn't a man with a gun but standing up for what's right even when you know you'll lose. These are the values we need to guide our communities, ensuring we always stand up for the marginalized and speak truth to power.

What vital role does EPL play in a thriving and vibrant Edmonton?

The EPL is vital social infrastructure. It’s a free, equalizing space that fuels lifelong learning, bridges the digital divide, and strengthens community connection. It provides opportunity and sanctuary for all Edmontonians, especially the most vulnerable, making our city more resilient, informed, and inclusive.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you be and why?

I would be Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. He embodies integrity, moral courage, and quiet strength, standing firmly for what is right, even when it’s unpopular. He represents the kind of principled, compassionate leadership every community deserves.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned at your local library?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned at the library is that knowledge and space should be accessible to everyone. It’s a living example of how a public institution can foster equality, empower communities, and remain a sanctuary for learning and belonging, without barriers or judgment.

If you could host a program at the library, what would it be about?

I would host a "Urban Solutions Lab", a monthly forum where residents, experts, and city staff collaborate on local issues like housing, transit safety, and homelessness. It would turn the library into a hub for practical, community-driven policy ideas and civic engagement.

Learn More About the 2025 Municipal Election

Curious how to show your love for EPL during this election? Stop by your local branch or visit our election page for ways to advocate for the Library, as EPL is the heart of our city.

Go to the EPL Election Hub