Less than half a year remains for libraries in Alberta to meet a deadline for adhering to new regulations concerning their collections. Some librarians are uncertain about how these regulations will be implemented, given the workload and potential costs involved in compliance.
The regulations, stemming from Bill 28, require Alberta’s public libraries to limit access to materials containing visual depictions of sexual acts, such as books, graphic novels, magazines, films, TV series, and video games. Minors under 15 years old are now restricted from using or borrowing these materials without parental consent.
Libraries have until January 1 to determine which materials to restrict, where to store them, and how to control access. For instance, Lesley Moody, manager at the Olds Municipal Library, highlighted the complexity of the task ahead, especially in combing through their extensive graphic novel collection to identify restricted content.
Amidst concerns over the meticulous review process, Moody estimated that her staff would require significant time and resources to comply with the new regulations. Beyond graphic novels, the costs and efforts to assess DVDs, video games, and other image-containing materials, purchase new shelving units, and establish new procedures for child library card usage are expected to escalate.
While Moody expressed confidence in her library’s capacity to manage the review process without closing to the public, she noted that smaller libraries might face closure during compliance due to limited staffing. The province is anticipated to issue guidelines to assist libraries in adjusting to Bill 28 requirements, a development eagerly awaited by Ron Sheppard, director of the Parkland Regional Library System.
Sheppard raised concerns regarding the application of restrictions to educational and historical materials and sought clarity on using film and video game ratings as a basis for compliance. Additionally, questions arose around the treatment of online resources and the practicality of applying restrictions to e-books and audiobooks borrowed through third-party platforms.
The bill’s press secretary emphasized that the aim is to ensure child safety by implementing access controls, not censorship. However, some librarians like Ken Feser from the Medicine Hat Public Library expressed apprehension that the restrictions could limit visibility of certain materials, potentially leading to their exclusion from library shelves.
The new regulations have triggered debate within the library community, with concerns about potential impacts on collection visibility, public access, and local decision-making. As libraries navigate the changes, some have voiced worries about the shift in dynamics between libraries and the province.
Despite the challenges, libraries are observing closely as Alberta navigates these changes, as the outcomes may have implications for libraries nationwide. The broader library community is monitoring the situation in Alberta closely, anticipating potential ripple effects on library legislation across the country.