Less than five months remain for libraries in Alberta to meet a deadline for complying with new restrictions on their collections. Some librarians are concerned about the workload and potential costs associated with adhering to the regulations, as uncertainties persist on how the rules will be enforced.
The restrictions stem from Bill 28, which mandates Alberta’s public libraries to limit access to materials featuring visual depictions of sexual acts, such as books, graphic novels, magazines, films, TV series, and video games. The regulations stipulate that individuals under 15 years old cannot access or borrow these restricted materials without parental consent.
By January 1, libraries must determine which materials to restrict, where to store them, and how to manage their access. Lesley Moody, manager of the Olds Municipal Library, highlighted the complexity of the task, especially when dealing with collections like graphic novels that require meticulous scrutiny. Reviewing their graphic novels alone is estimated to cost around $15,000 in labor and 600 hours for Moody’s staff.
The expenses for Moody’s library will increase further to evaluate DVDs, video games, and other image-containing materials, purchase new shelving units for the restricted items, and establish new procedures for library cards for children and parental permissions. While Moody believes her library has enough staff to conduct the review without closing to the public, smaller libraries may face closure during the compliance process.
The Alberta government is expected to release guidelines soon to assist libraries in adjusting or developing new policies in response to Bill 28. Ron Sheppard, director of the Parkland Regional Library System, expressed eagerness for these guidelines, particularly seeking clarity on the applicability of restrictions to educational and historical materials with explicit imagery.
The bill’s press secretary, Jack Alarie, emphasized that the intent is to implement access controls, not censorship, ensuring that explicit content is not easily accessible to children in public libraries. However, concerns have been raised by some librarians, like Ken Feser from the Medicine Hat Public Library, who worry that the restrictions may diminish the visibility of certain materials to the public, potentially leading to their removal from shelves or storage in less visible areas.
The new regulations have sparked debate within the library community, with some expressing worries about potential limitations on local decision-making and the impact on freedom of expression rights for young library users. Despite the concerns, the government asserts that inspections will be rare and aimed at resolving issues rather than imposing penalties.
As Alberta’s libraries navigate these changes, there is a growing interest in how other libraries across Canada will respond to similar measures if they are introduced. The outcome in Alberta could set a precedent for libraries nationwide, with implications for freedom of expression and access to diverse materials.