EDMONTON, AB – April 10, 2026 – Last year, the Government of Alberta introduced a ministerial order which removed some reading materials from school libraries. Although this order was met with concern and opposition from librarians, teachers, parents, and the wider community, the government has now turned their sights on the province’s public libraries. Last week, the Alberta government introduced proposed changes to the Libraries Act, as part of the larger Bill 28, restricting access to reading materials in Alberta’s public libraries.
This bill would give the government unprecedented levels of control over the decisions and policies of public libraries in Alberta. As reported by CBC news, while the government claims that the legislation is not a book ban, it will require materials which are deemed to contain “sexually graphic images” to be placed behind a counter where children ages 15 and under cannot access them, effectively regulating and segregating library materials – many of which are disproportionately 2SLGBTQ+ titles.
GELA stands in support of the statements released last week by the Library Association of Alberta (LAA) and the Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries (CAP Libraries), which state that neither the LAA nor CAP Libraries were consulted on these changes to the Libraries Act, and that government intervention is not needed in the work of librarianship, which works to ensure free and equitable access to information.
Albertans of all ages deserve to have free and equitable access to information, including access to information about sexual health, gender identity, sexuality, puberty, consent, and healthy relationships – and we believe that Bill 28 runs counter to these ideals. The public and the library community, including GELA, must be prepared to oppose this legislation.
Natasha D’Amours, GELA President
On behalf of the GELA Executive Committee
gela.ca 