Frameworks at EPL
At EPL, everything we do is shaped by a set of guiding frameworks that help ensure a consistent, welcoming experience for everyone who walks through our doors or connects with us online.
These frameworks reflect our commitment to serving the diverse needs of our community and help bring our values to life in everyday interactions—whether you’re visiting for a program, using our spaces, or accessing resources.
Think of them as different ways of viewing the same goal: one library, many approaches, all working together to support learning, connection, and community across Edmonton.
Community-Led Service Philosophy (CLSP)
Listen first, then act.
This framework guides how we listen to, learn from, and respond to the communities we serve before we act, keeping EPL grounded in real needs rather than assumptions, and collaborative rather than prescriptive.
Convivencia
The art of sharing space.
This framework shapes how EPL navigates the richness and challenges of being a truly public space, guiding how staff and customers share space with compassion and respect, grounded in the idea of living well together.
Customer Experience (CX)
How we show up, every time.
This framework shapes the principles and practices behind every interaction, defining how we make EPL an exceptional place to visit, learn, and connect. It sets the standard for how we show up for customers across every touchpoint, from a first visit to a familiar face at the desk.
Digital Literacy
Building confidence in a digital world.
This framework outlines our approach to helping Edmontonians build the skills they need to navigate and thrive in a digital world. It shapes how EPL supports people at every comfort level—from basic digital access to building confidence with emerging technologies.
Inclusion and Belonging
Everyone has a place here.
EPL’s Inclusion and Belonging Framework describes our commitment to creating a place of belonging for customers and staff. It affirms our commitment to create spaces where people feel seen, heard, connected, and respected. Grounded in our values, the framework guides how we work with each other, our customers, and our communities, and helps us identify and mitigate barriers so all people can participate, contribute, and thrive.
Indigenous Services — Mâmawô Ayâwin
All being together.
This framework advances EPL's commitment to Truth and Reconciliation in action by building relationships, removing barriers, and creating belonging for Indigenous Peoples. Rooted in community engagement and informed by national reports and calls to action, it guides how we serve, celebrate, and learn alongside Indigenous communities.
Services for Adults
Learning never stops.
This framework supports lifelong learning, creative expression, civic connection, and intellectual freedom for adults, reflecting our belief that learning doesn’t stop—and that the Library is uniquely positioned to support people wherever they are in that journey.
Services for Young People
Mighty learners, big futures.
This framework defines EPL's commitment to children from birth through the teen years, outlining the why, the how, and the what behind our work with Edmonton’s youngest customers and their families. It reflects our belief that children are mighty learners and essential community members, deserving of exceptional library experiences at every stage of development.