Alberta government gives public libraries Jan. 1 deadline to comply with new restrictions

Alberta government gives public libraries Jan. 1 deadline to comply with new restrictions

Province's new rules attempt to reduce children's access to sexually explicit images

The Alberta government has given libraries around the province until the start of next year to introduce new policies restricting access to materials with sexually explicit images.

The province updated its Libraries Act earlier this month to set a Jan. 1 deadline for libraries to comply and ensure they're not allowing anyone 15 years old or younger to use or borrow materials containing a visual depiction of a sexual act, without a parent or guardian's authorization.

The new restriction applies to books, periodicals, comics and graphic novels, films, TV programs and video games.

Library boards also have until Jan. 1 to determine which materials should be restricted, how to regulate access to them, and where to store them separately from other resources.

Boards must also meet the same deadline to establish how to determine a person's age, and whether a parent or guardian has authorized their access to restricted materials.

The province is calling on boards to introduce policies about issuing library cards to people 15 years old or younger, and on allowing people in that age group to use library computers to access the internet or play video games.

Boards are also required to consider how the same age restrictions can be applied to digital resources like e-books.

The restrictions are a result of Bill 28, which was passed in May.

The Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries said this week it's still reviewing the new restrictions.

The Calgary and Edmonton public libraries said they are still reviewing the impact of the new restrictions, too.

Earlier this month, the Canadian Federation of Library Associations said it's working with colleagues across the country to address concerns other provincial governments could introduce similar restrictions.

Rules could put more stress on small libraries

Jack Alarie, press secretary for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, said no content will be removed from libraries due to the new restrictions. Instead, he said the province wants to ensure libraries continue to be family-friendly, without affecting adults' access to them.

Bill 28 gives inspectors, appointed by the Municipal Affairs minister, the ability to look at any matter related to a library's management, administration or operation. Alarie said this is an expanded scope for inspectors, after they were previously limited to board records.

“It is reasonable that there be accountability for public institutions that are governed by provincial statute and funded by tax dollars,” said Alarie.

Rob Miyashiro, the Alberta NDP's shadow minister for municipal affairs, said the new rules are likely to cost more money for libraries and put extra stress on their staff. He highlighted that it will be especially difficult for small libraries with only a couple of employees.

Why the Alberta government is telling libraries to put some books out of sight

“It’s something that wasn’t necessary, and the libraries were never asking for this. In fact, the vast majority of public libraries in Alberta already had policies and practices that did what this government wants as an outcome,” said Miyashiro.

"Local decision-making is going to be minimized in favour of a centralized approach by this government."

New rules on library restrictions in schools

The province is also requiring library boards that operate a location inside a school to set up a process for the public to ask the board to review whether restrictions are needed on specific materials in these libraries.

Reviews can be asked for by students, parents or guardians, staff and school council members, other members of the public with a connection to the school, and library card holders.

Boards have until Jan. 1 to establish these processes, and must regularly review their resources to ensure they comply with the Libraries Act, and provide reports, on request, to the minister.

Andrew Jeffrey is a multimedia journalist with CBC Calgary. He previously worked for CBC News in his hometown of Edmonton, reported for the StarMetro Calgary, and worked as an editor for Toronto-based magazines Strategy and Realscreen. You can reach him at andrew.jeffrey@cbc.ca.