Less than five months remain for libraries in Alberta to meet a deadline to adhere to new limits on their collections. Some librarians are expressing concerns about the application of these regulations due to the significant workload and potential costs involved.
The restrictions, stemming from Bill 28, mandate Alberta’s public libraries to restrict access to materials such as books, graphic novels, magazines, films, TV series, and video games that contain visual depictions of sexual acts. Under these new regulations, individuals under 15 years old cannot use or borrow these restricted materials without parental consent.
Libraries are required to identify, store, and regulate access to restricted materials by January 1. Lesley Moody, manager of the Olds Municipal Library, highlighted the complexity of the task, especially when dealing with graphic novels. She estimated that reviewing their graphic novel collection alone would take around 600 staff hours, costing approximately $15,000 in labor.
Moody emphasized the meticulous process required since no specific list has been provided by the government, meaning staff must examine every book individually. The costs for assessing DVDs, video games, purchasing new shelving units, and implementing new workflows and policies for library cards are anticipated to increase.
While Moody believes her library can manage the review without closing temporarily, smaller libraries may face closure to comply with the regulations. The province is expected to release guidelines this month to assist libraries in adjusting policies. Concerns persist regarding the application of restrictions to educational materials and the reliance on ratings systems for films and video games.
The new restrictions have sparked debates on access controls versus censorship. Bill 28 aims to prevent children from encountering explicit content in public libraries, emphasizing access controls rather than removal of materials. Libraries have historically curated collections based on professional standards and age-appropriateness.
The legislation also allows expanded inspections, causing unease among library managers unsure of the inspection process implications. Some argue that the local decision-making authority could be compromised, leading to concerns over the future direction of library collections and operations.
Critics argue that the restrictions could limit freedom of expression rights for young library users and suggest that libraries should consider a constitutional challenge. The outcome in Alberta is closely monitored by libraries nationwide, as it may set a precedent for similar legislation in other provinces.
