Public libraries already have policies in place to organize collections in age-appropriate ways and rely on parents and guardians to guide children’s use of library spaces and collections.
Alberta libraries are deeply disappointed with the passing of Bill 28 by the Government of Alberta and its unnecessary changes to the Libraries Act.
The Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries (CAP Libraries) is raising new concerns regarding anticipated regulatory changes that could drastically impact public libraries and is asking to be consulted before regulations are set.
“Despite our repeated and proactive outreach to the government, Alberta libraries were not consulted prior to introducing this legislation,” said Pilar Martinez, speaking on behalf of CAP Libraries. “Now that Bill 28 has passed third reading, CAP Libraries is urging the Government of Alberta to meet with libraries to develop regulations that minimize disruption to public libraries, patrons and communities.”
Since Bill 28 was introduced, CAP Libraries has sent two letters to the Premier and the minister of Municipal Affairs requesting meetings to discuss the proposed legislation.
In April, CAP member libraries across Alberta expressed concerns about being unable to meet potential new requirements, as shared initially by ministerial staff.
The minister has indicated costs will not be funded by the province, leaving municipalities to absorb them.
CAP Libraries remains eager to collaborate with the provincial government on practical, operational steps that address the Government of Alberta’s concerns, while respecting parental responsibility and the rights of individuals to choose what is best for themselves and their families.
Lethbridge Public Library CEO Terra Plato said there are concerns about the erosion of the local decision-making around library services. “Taking that out of the hands of the local council and board, privacy concerns related to having to ID people to access certain materials and just putting up barriers to accessing library materials.”
“That’s the opposite of everything we have tried to do over the last 107 years at the Lethbridge Public Library. For us specifically, and I know many libraries, there are a lot of practical concerns around just the feasibility and the resources required to implement the intended regulations in the way they’ve been communicated to us,” Plato explained.
Locally, Plato noted, that means the possibility of building spaces or rooms to contain the items and having staff to manage access to the space and ID people. “There’s a lot of questions around how we’ll even manage e-resource collections and Internet access, and perhaps not have the ability to provide those resources to people under the age of 16.”
There are also concerns and questions about how to serve people who don’t possess a government ID that has a birthdate.
“Most people under 16 wouldn’t have a government ID with a birthdate. How do we serve people over the age of 16 who don’t have a valid government ID? And really just the way the regulations are currently being communicated practically will require redesigning public library services in almost every way. That puts a significant strain on library resources and is likely to require either additional funding or will result in a reduction in library services,” Plato shared.
According to Plato, the important piece is Alberta libraries are asking the government to consult with them. “Because there are practical ways we could work together and achieve what the government is looking to do while at least minimizing the impact it will have on library services and on taxpayers.”
“That’s what we want — is for the government to consult with us and talk about practical solutions. And that seems to be the biggest challenge — there has really been no meaningful consultation with public libraries around this,” Plato added.
