Welcome to the Medicine Hat Public Library

Alberta Bill 28 Information Page

Alberta has proposed legislation in Bill 28 which will update the Libraries Act.

Medicine Hat Public Library has released a statement on this initiative.

Chief Librarian Ken Feser has written about the operational impacts the legislation will have on MHPL.

Alberta public libraries disappointed with passing of Bill 28.

Legislation and regulations

The updated Libraries Act will give the the Minister of Municipal Affairs new power to:

  • Create new regulations controlling public libraries
  • Appoint library inspectors
  • Inspect libraries, interview employees, and access library records
  • Prosecute anyone who obstructs a library inspector
  • Make “any order that the Minister considers appropriate”
  • Regulate “the access to and the use and borrowing of public library property by members of the public.”

The Province has indicated it plans to

  • Prohibit youth under 16 from accessing, using or borrowing library books and other materials containing “explicit visual content.”
    • All collections including adult collections will be included in this restriction
    • In-library access will be restricted as well as borrowing

Public library responses to this initiative

Alberta public libraries are concerned by this initiative because it undermines free speech and expression, local decision-making, and the privacy of Albertans.

Medicine Hat Public Library shares this concern.

Public libraries support intellectual freedom and the right to read.

Facts about Medicine Hat Public Library and Alberta libraries

  • Public libraries are a municipal service in Alberta.
    • Local Library boards appointed by the municipality manage and control their libraries.
    • Municipalities are the primary funders of their libraries. The Province also provides operating grants to public libraries.
  • Alberta public libraries are required to have several specific Board policies including a policy on collection management.
  • Medicine Hat Public Library’s Collection Management Policy includes a Request for Reconsideration of Material form which allows the public to report objectionable material and request its removal or relocation.

What you can do

Medicine Hat Public Library encourages library users and members of our community to learn about, think about and talk about the province’s plans.

You may choose to

If you have concerns about library services, we encourage you as well to speak out. Medicine Hat Public Library wants to know and serve our entire community. You can contact us here to let us know your thoughts or to make an appointment to speak to library leadership in person.

Whatever our different perspectives, we sincerely hope that we can discuss difficult issues civilly, respecting other opinions and looking for common ground wherever possible.