The Vermilion Public Library Board is calling on the Alberta government to pause Bill 28 after hearing concerns from community members.
At its April 29 board meeting, trustees listened to several public delegations focused on Bill 28 before unanimously passing a motion to adopt the board’s formal statement on the proposed legislation, urge the province to pause its implementation, and endorse a statement from the Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries.
Bill 28 proposes changes to Alberta’s Libraries Act that the Vermilion Public Library (VPL) says could significantly affect how local libraries operate and serve their communities. The legislation includes provisions for increased provincial oversight and ministerial authority over library boards, changes to how library materials are reviewed or handled, and new requirements around age‑appropriate access to content.
The Vermilion Library Board says those proposed changes raise concerns in three key areas: local autonomy, freedom to read, and administrative capacity.
Trustees say local libraries should continue to be shaped by the communities they serve.
While the current Libraries Act sets provincial governance standards, it still allows for local decision‑making through library boards appointed by municipal councils. Bill 28, the board says, would shift that balance by centralizing decision‑making and increasing provincial control, potentially limiting a community’s ability to shape library services based on local needs.
“In summary, Bill 28 raises concerns about how public libraries can continue supporting informed communities through open access to diverse, reliable information. Libraries should be driven by community needs, not political directives from Edmonton. Libraries exist to provide access to knowledge, not restrict it through gatekeeping,” the board says in its statement.
The board also voiced concerns about intellectual freedom. Libraries aim to provide fair access to a wide range of materials, including content that may be challenging or controversial. Trustees say proposals within Bill 28 could introduce age‑based restrictions and expand provincial authority over access, shifting decisions away from families and library professionals. The board maintains that parents — not government — are best positioned to guide their children’s reading choices.
Financial pressures
Finally, trustees caution Bill 28 could place new operational and financial pressures on libraries. Meeting new compliance requirements could require additional staff time, funding, and space, including the review and classification of materials. Without additional provincial support, the board says these costs could fall to local taxpayers and divert resources away from programming and core services.
Pause Bill 28
In its statement, the Vermilion Library Board calls on the province to pause implementation of Bill 28 and engage in structured consultation with libraries and communities. Trustees are encouraging residents to stay informed, take part in public discussions, and share their views with elected officials.
“Strong libraries depend on strong community support,” the board said, noting that access to open, reliable information remains central to the role of public libraries.
