Less than half a year remains for libraries in Alberta to meet a deadline to adhere to new regulations concerning their collections. Despite the impending deadline, some librarians are uncertain about the practical implications of the regulations, given the substantial workload and potential costs involved.
The regulations, stemming from Bill 28, mandate that Alberta’s public libraries restrict access to materials such as books, graphic novels, magazines, films, TV series, and video games containing visual depictions of sexual acts. The new rules prohibit individuals under 15 years old from accessing or borrowing these restricted materials without parental consent.
Libraries are required to determine which materials to restrict, allocate storage space for them, and establish protocols for regulating access by January 1. Lesley Moody, manager of the Olds Municipal Library, highlighted the complexity of the task, especially when dealing with graphic novels, where meticulous scrutiny is needed to identify and restrict specific content.
Moody estimated that her team would need approximately 600 hours, equating to $15,000 in labor costs, to review the graphic novels in their collection alone. The additional expenses for evaluating DVDs, video games, acquiring new shelving units, and implementing new policies for library cards and parental permissions further compound the financial burden.
While Moody expressed confidence in her library’s ability to manage the review process without closing to the public, she acknowledged that smaller libraries with limited staff might face closure to comply with the regulations. The provincial government is expected to issue guidelines this month to assist libraries in adjusting or developing new policies in response to Bill 28.
Ron Sheppard, director of the Parkland Regional Library System, emphasized the need for clarity on whether the restrictions extend to educational materials or historical books with potentially explicit content. He also raised concerns about the application of ratings systems for films and video games as an alternative to extensive librarian reviews.
Bill 28 also grants inspectors broader authority to investigate library management, administration, and operations, prompting unease among library managers about the inspection process’s implications. Despite government assurances that inspections are intended to address issues rather than penalize libraries, concerns linger about the potential erosion of local decision-making autonomy.
Critics like Ken Feser, chief librarian at the Medicine Hat Public Library, expressed apprehension that the new restrictions could lead to certain materials becoming less accessible to the public, effectively diminishing their visibility. Feser likened the directive to burying books, which could ultimately result in the removal or stigmatization of restricted materials.
The introduction of the new regulations has sparked debate and calls for legal challenges, with concerns raised about potential restrictions on freedom of expression rights for young library users. Observers like James Turk from the Centre for Free Expression at Toronto Metropolitan University suggest that the outcome in Alberta could set a precedent for libraries nationwide, prompting vigilance among library professionals across Canada.
