Less than five months are left for libraries in Alberta to meet a deadline for complying with new restrictions on their collections. Some librarians are expressing concerns about the implications of the regulations, which may entail significant work and costs to adhere to.
The restrictions, stemming from Bill 28, stipulate that Alberta’s public libraries must limit access to materials such as books, graphic novels, magazines, films, TV series, and video games featuring visual depictions of sexual acts. Under the new rules, individuals aged 15 and below cannot access or borrow these restricted materials without parental consent.
Libraries must determine by Jan. 1 which materials to restrict, where to store them, and how to regulate access. Lesley Moody, the manager of the Olds Municipal Library, highlighted the complexity of the task, noting that thorough examination of each book is necessary. For instance, Moody’s library has about 1,500 graphic novels that staff must meticulously review to identify restricted content, a process estimated to require 600 hours of work costing around $15,000.
Moody stressed that the costs for assessing DVDs, video games, and other visual content, purchasing new shelving units, and establishing new policies for children’s library cards could further escalate. While Moody believes her library’s staff can manage the review without a temporary closure, smaller libraries with limited resources may face challenges.
The Alberta government is expected to issue guidelines this month to assist libraries in adjusting or formulating policies in response to Bill 28. Ron Sheppard, director of the Parkland Regional Library System, is eager to receive these guidelines. He seeks clarity on whether the restrictions extend to educational or historical materials with explicit imagery and if libraries can rely on existing ratings for films and video games.
Bill 28 also expands the scope for inspectors to probe library management, administration, and operations. However, concerns linger about the inspection process’s specifics and its potential impact on local decision-making. Kelsey Chic, a library manager, expressed apprehension that the inspections might undermine local autonomy in collection curation tailored to community needs.
The move by the province aligns with a previous directive to school libraries. Advocates for the new restrictions emphasize safeguarding children’s innocence, while critics argue that existing library practices already ensure age-appropriate content. The ongoing developments in Alberta’s libraries are being closely monitored by librarians nationwide, with implications for the future of library services across Canada.
