Less than five months remain for libraries in Alberta to adhere to new regulations concerning their collections. Some librarians are concerned about the workload and potential costs associated with complying with the restrictions. The regulations stem from Bill 28, requiring 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. Individuals under 15 years old are now required to have parental consent to access or borrow these restricted materials.
Libraries must determine by January 1 what materials to restrict, where to store them, and how to control access. Lesley Moody, the manager of the Olds Municipal Library, highlighted the complexity of the task, emphasizing the detailed review required for each item. Moody estimated that reviewing their collection of graphic novels alone would necessitate 600 staff hours, equating to $15,000 in labor costs.
The expenses for Moody’s library extend beyond graphic novels to assess DVDs, video games, and other image-containing books. They also need to purchase new shelving units for restricted items and establish new procedures for library cards for children and parental permissions. While Moody’s staff can manage the review process without closing to the public, smaller libraries may face temporary closures to comply with the deadline.
The province intends to provide guidelines to libraries this month on adjusting or creating policies in response to Bill 28. Ron Sheppard, director of the Parkland Regional Library System, eagerly awaits these guidelines. He seeks clarity on whether the restrictions apply to educational materials or historical books with explicit imagery. Sheppard also questions if libraries can rely on existing ratings systems for films and video games instead of manually reviewing entire collections.
Jack Alarie, press secretary for Alberta’s Municipal Affairs ministry, emphasized that Bill 28 aims to prevent children from encountering explicit content in public libraries, stressing that it’s about access control, not censorship. Ken Feser, chief librarian at the Medicine Hat Public Library, expressed concerns that the restrictions may diminish the visibility of certain materials, potentially leading to their disappearance.
The new regulations have sparked debates within the library community, with concerns raised about potential impacts on freedom of expression and local decision-making. Despite the challenges, libraries in Alberta are closely monitoring the situation, as the outcomes may influence libraries nationwide.