Turning pages, building futures

Edmonton Community Foundation’s support of Early Childhood Development (ECD) is already making a difference for families across the city — and it’s showing up on library shelves. 

Thanks to $100,000 in funding, Edmonton Public Library has added more than 5,000 new children’s picture books to its collection, expanding access to early literacy resources for families in every neighbourhood. To mark the occasion, ECF and EPL came together at Stanley A. Milner Library with families and library staff to see the new collection come to life. 

The project is one of 17 initiatives supported through $1.85 million in ECD funding announced by us in December 2025. Together, these grants focus on strengthening support for children from infancy through age five, which is a critical period for learning, development and building strong foundations for the future. 

For Edmonton Public Library, expanding access to books is about more than adding titles to shelves. It’s about creating opportunities for families to connect, learn and grow together through reading. 

“When families have access to diverse, high-quality books, they feel welcome in a space, particularly if they can see their family or themselves represented in some way, or they see something that really appeals to them or reflects their culture.”

— Elaine Jones, Youth Services Manager, Edmonton Public Library

Early literacy plays a key role in language development, curiosity and school readiness. By making high-quality children’s books freely accessible, EPL helps remove barriers and ensures families across Edmonton can support learning at home. 

“It’s about the early literacy piece for sure, but it’s also about the bonding that happens between child and caregiver — and just their imaginations and how you get them excited about what’s happening in life.”

— Allan Undheim, VP Community Impact, Edmonton Community Foundation

For families using the library, the impact is immediate and personal — just ask member Judy Kuzmick. 

“That’s brilliant. I can pick so many different ones. Each time, a new, different one.”

— Judy Kuzmick, EPL Member

As these new books begin circulating across the city, they represent more than an investment, they reflect a shared commitment to helping Edmonton’s youngest residents grow, learn and thrive.