A Place Where I Belong
For many Edmontonians, the library is an untapped resource—a fact that Naomi van Haaften wants to change. That’s why she joined the volunteer-run non-profit Friends of EPL, which promotes awareness, raises funds, and advocates for the Library in communities across the city.
Naomi’s connection to the EPL early. As a child, it was a safe and welcoming place where her mother could drop her off, knowing she would be supported and nurtured. Access to books, and parents who encouraged reading, shaped Naomi’s life in ways she didn’t fully understand until she was older.
“Because of the Edmonton Public Library, I feel like I have a space where I belong.”
“Literacy is so important, and the library can really assist with that,” she says. “You're learning skills that you don't even know are important; you're being with the community.”
While studying for her English degree, Naomi found herself returning to the library for a quiet place to study. She saw how the library continued to provide a free, welcoming space where people could learn and connect without barriers—something that felt increasingly important in a digital world full of distractions.
She was amazed by the variety of resources EPL offers, from 3D printers and recording equipment to radon detectors and home energy toolkits. Beyond the books, she says, the library is a place where people can explore, create, and learn new skills that enrich their lives.
“We have this massive resource in the city, and people need to know more about it.”
Joining Friends of EPL was a turning point, she says, and a great way to discover everything the library has to offer. She remembers volunteering at a casino fundraiser with other board members and coming home “feeling almost giddy” after spending the day with people committed to supporting the library and making it more accessible for everyone.
Through Friends of EPL, Naomi sees the library’s impact in action, especially in programs like Cook Up a Story, a summer camp that nourishes the minds and bodies of children from underserved families. “I feel like I’m a part of something bigger—something that’s making a real difference in people’s lives.”
Just as she did, many children may not realize how much these programs and services matter until they’re adults. But Naomi knows that this is how communities are formed, and that’s what makes EPL special.
“Because of the Edmonton Public Library, I feel like I have a space where I belong.”