Library plans modest spending to meet new provincial rules
The St. Albert Public Library (SAPL) will ask the city to include $40,000 in its 2027 operating budget to address requirements created by Alberta's Bill 28, the library’s CEO told council and library stakeholders this month.
The figure is a reduction from an earlier planning provision of $100,000 that the library set aside in May while awaiting provincial regulations. The revised estimate reflects the library’s review of the formal rules released by the provincial government on Sept. 22.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial planning provision (May) | $100,000 |
| Revised request for 2027 budget | $40,000 |
| Change | –$60,000 |
What the regulations require
Under the rules that come into force on Jan. 1, 2027, public library boards must ensure that persons aged 15 and younger cannot use or borrow library resources that contain a visual depiction of a sexual act unless a parent or guardian authorizes it. Materials that include such depictions must be kept physically separate from other resources. The regulations exclude depictions that are not distinctly sexual in nature, such as content related to medical examinations, puberty, menstruation, pregnancy or breastfeeding.
"We're really trying to maintain a positive patron experience and an inclusive welcoming environment in the library for everyone," SAPL CEO Laura Winton said, adding the library is "doing everything we can to preserve equitable access and intellectual freedom as fully as we can with the requirements of the law."
Local impact and planned measures
Library officials say the bulk of the expected costs will be for new shelving and operational changes to create the required physical separation and to implement age- and consent-based access procedures. Winton told the Gazette she does not anticipate major renovations that would temporarily disrupt service.
- New shelving and physical separation of restricted materials.
- Development and training on new access and consent procedures.
- Ongoing efforts to balance compliance with maintaining an inclusive patron environment.
Winton described the adjustments as being undertaken "with a heavy heart and with real concern for our community and our patrons," reflecting the library’s stated commitment to both follow the law and support parents and caregivers in making informed choices for children.
Budget and municipal process
The library will present the $40,000 request as part of St. Albert’s 2027 municipal budget discussions. If council approves the allocation, the funds would be used next year to purchase equipment and implement procedures required by the provincial regulations.
Library trustees and staff say they will continue to monitor implementation and report back to the public and council as specific operational plans and costs are finalised.
For St. Albert residents, the measures are likely to change how certain materials are displayed and accessed beginning in 2027, while the core services and programming of the library are expected to continue with minimal interruption.
