Less than half a year remains for libraries in Alberta to meet a deadline where they must adhere to new regulations regarding their collections. Despite the impending deadline, some librarians are uncertain about the practical implications and costs associated with complying with the regulations.
The new restrictions, stemming from Bill 28, mandate Alberta’s public libraries to limit access to materials such as books, graphic novels, magazines, films, TV series, and video games that contain visual depictions of sexual acts. Individuals under 15 years old will require parental consent to access or borrow these newly restricted materials.
By January 1, libraries are required to determine which materials to restrict, establish storage protocols, and formulate access regulations. Lesley Moody, manager of the Olds Municipal Library, emphasized the complexity of the task, noting that meticulously reviewing graphic novels alone would be labor-intensive.
Moody estimated that her staff would need approximately 600 hours, costing around $15,000, to review the graphic novel collection. The process involves searching through hundreds of illustrated panels to identify specific images that necessitate restriction.
While Moody expressed confidence in her staff’s ability to review the collection without closing to the public, smaller libraries may face closure during the compliance process due to resource constraints.
The provincial government is expected to release guidelines this month to assist libraries in adjusting or creating policies in response to Bill 28. Questions remain regarding the application of restrictions to educational materials, historical books with explicit imagery, and the reliance on ratings systems for films and video games.
Library inspections will be expanded under Bill 28, raising concerns about the potential loss of local decision-making authority. Critics argue that the regulations risk diminishing access to certain materials and undermining the collaborative relationship between libraries and the province.
As libraries navigate the implementation of these new regulations, there is a growing sentiment among stakeholders that the restrictions may impact freedom of expression rights for young library users. The outcome in Alberta is being closely monitored by librarians nationwide, as it may influence similar legislative actions in other regions of Canada.