Library Association of Alberta (LAA) Statement on Provincial Government Announcement Regarding School Libraries

May 27, 2025

(May 27, 2025) The Library Association of Alberta (LAA) is surprised and concerned by the provincial government’s news release yesterday that it intends to ban books in Alberta school libraries starting in September.

At no point has the province previously expressed any concern to the LAA about the books in our province’s school libraries.

Schools and school boards take great care, and are guided by sound policies and processes, in selecting books for school libraries and ensuring the books are age-appropriate and relevant for students’ developmental stages, learning needs, and lived realities.

The best way for the province to strengthen school libraries for the benefit of students is to provide more adequate educational funding targeted to school libraries and reading resources.

As the Edmonton and Calgary public school boards said in their statement, school boards already have rigorous selection guidelines developed by librarians and other library professionals, to ensure age-appropriate collections that are relevant to students’ lives and educational growth and maturation.

We are delighted to hear the government is invested in ensuring exceptional school library collections, and we urge it to invest in the system and in the professionally trained library staff required to curate balanced and responsible access to a broad range of library materials for all students.

The Library Association of Alberta would be pleased to assist the government and the Minister of Education and Childcare in supporting existing policies and practices for school libraries that enrich the educational experiences of all students across the province.

Laura Winton, LAA President
On behalf of the LAA Board of Directors

(Via Library Association of Alberta)