EDMONTON — Alberta public library organizations say they are deeply disappointed by the passage of Bill 28, warning the legislation could create major financial pressures for municipalities and potentially force some libraries to reduce services or close altogether.
The Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries says the province moved ahead with changes to the Libraries Act without consulting library systems before introducing the legislation.
The coalition says it repeatedly asked Premier Danielle Smith’s government and Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver for meetings to discuss the proposed law before it passed third reading.
Library officials say they are now seeking consultation on upcoming regulations tied to the bill in hopes of minimizing disruptions for library users and communities.
The coalition says Alberta libraries already maintain policies designed to organize collections in age-appropriate ways while relying on parents and guardians to guide children’s use of library spaces and materials.
Library organizations say earlier discussions with government staff suggested potential requirements could include physically separate spaces, additional staffing to monitor access and age verification systems.
They warn implementation costs could become unmanageable because the province has indicated municipalities would be expected to absorb the expenses.
Ron Sheppard, director of the Parkland Regional Library System, said many libraries are already struggling financially and could be forced to reduce or eliminate services without additional provincial funding.
The Wood Buffalo Regional Library also criticized the legislation in a social media post following the bill’s passage.
“Bill 28 has passed, and it’s not a question of if it will affect you, but rather how much it will affect you,” the library wrote.
The library said the legislation would create “more barriers to materials and services” and raised concerns about how age restrictions, parental permissions, digital resources and enforcement rules would work in practice.
The post also argued the legislation shifts authority away from local library boards and staff toward the provincial government.
“A single minister will have the power to set access rules for all 324 library service points across the province, backed by inspection and enforcement powers,” the library wrote in the social media statement.
Library leaders across Alberta have also expressed concern the legislation gives the provincial government greater authority to override decisions traditionally handled by local library boards.
The coalition says more than 8,250 digital postcards opposing Bill 28 were sent to the provincial government between early April and mid-May, generating more than 24,000 emails to cabinet ministers and MLAs.
The organization says dozens of library boards and municipal councils across Alberta have also passed motions opposing the legislation.
Supporters of Bill 28 have argued the changes are intended to strengthen oversight surrounding age-appropriate library materials and increase parental confidence in public library systems.
The Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries says it remains willing to work with the province on operational solutions addressing government concerns while preserving local governance and maintaining public access to library services.
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