OUR MISSION
To connect, engage, and inspire all with intellectual and creative opportunities.
OUR VISION
An empowered community that embraces unlimited learning and knowledge, creative endeavors, and cultural exploration.
OUR VALUES
Inclusion | Provide a welcoming environment that serves all people equitably.
Inspiration | Inspire personal growth and the ability to reach one’s potential.
Intellectual Freedom | Champion the rights of our communities to access diverse points of view.
Integrity | Uphold the highest standards of fiscal responsibility and stewardship of public resources.
Over the last several years, Elyria Public Library has strategically focused on building and developing our physical spaces. EPL relocated and designed two branch locations: the South Branch Library in 2019 and Keystone Branch Library in 2020, renovated the interior space at our West River Branch Library in 2020, and opened the newly built Central Library downtown in 2021. It has been a time of great excitement and transition, and we have loved seeing community members enjoy and embrace the enhanced new spaces.
EPL is enthusiastic to enter a new phase as we seek to meet evolving and newly identified community needs and interests. This year we revamped our mission, vision and values statements to refresh our purpose and direction. EPL is here to CONNECT, to ENGAGE and to INSPIRE our community members to grow and achieve together, and to experience joy in learning and in cultural and creative exploration.
The strategic planning process started with a community survey that garnered hundreds of responses, followed by community, staff, and board focus groups. The planning team, which represented a wide range of staff and board members, worked closely together and consulted with expert external colleagues. This plan that grew out of our work provides the scaffolding for EPL to shape our actions to support and empower our community.
The process of completing a strategic plan was made possible due to the collaboration of many thoughts and ideas by the EPL Board of Trustees, EPL staff, and a Planning Committee along with you, our community.
To our community, thank you for your time and input on EPL and its future. The library's place in our community is to continue to grow and evolve to best serve you.