Save the Date: Fall Meeting Nov. 25

October 14, 2026Fall MeetingAAAL

Hello AAAL Members,

Mark your calendars! The Alberta Association of Academic Libraries Fall 2026 Meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday, November 25^th, from 12:30pm until 4pm.

Library staff from all our member institutions are invited to join us for a business meeting, followed by a roundtable, and a keynote presentation from Brenna Clarke Gray.

Brenna Clarke Gray is an open educator and critical technologist powered by righteous indignation and lattes and based at Thompson Rivers University in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc. Her work explores the possibilities of a care-centred approach to the ethical and equitable use of educational technologies. Outside of the university’s walls, she is an avid reader, compulsive baker, and tired mum. If she was a creature in the Jim Henson cinematic universe, she would be Cotterpin Doozer.

An RSVP and meeting schedule will be sent out soon.

Thanks,

AAAL Learning & Development Committee

Call for Sub-Committee Members

October 13, 2026AAAL CommitteesAAAL

The Alberta Association of Academic Libraries (AAAL) is seeking nominations for members for the following Sub-Committees for 2-year terms beginning Fall 2026:

Communications
Responsibilities include coordinating AAAL communications, including social media, blog, and website communications.

All staff from AAAL member institutions are eligible. For Sub-Committee positions, we only require an expression of interest. Expressions of interest can be sent to the AAAL Executive (aaal.executive@gmail.com).

For a full list of responsibilities for each committee, please visit the AAAL Bylaws Page. Any questions about the roles can be sent to the Chair Elect, Merran Carr-Wiggin (merran.carrwiggin@ucalgary.ca)

The deadline for applications/nominations is November 13, 2026.

Please let us know if you have any questions, and thank you for considering!

Merran Carr-Wiggin
(Chair Elect)

AAAL Executive Board
aaal.executive@gmail.com

AAAL Statement on CFLA’s Canadian Library Month Statement

October 1, 2026AnnouncementsAAAL

October is Canadian Library month and AAAL supports the CLFA-FCAB’s Canadian Library Month Statement and the discussion around and in pursuit of intellectual freedom.

Libraries have a responsibility to uphold the core values of librarianship, including intellectual freedom, which empowers people to seek and access information on their own, make informed decisions, and respect the dignity and independence of individuals. As librarians, we support intellectual freedom and curiosity by encouraging individuals to make their own choices, listen to diverse viewpoints, and engage in open dialogue.

Bill 28’s regulations contradict the core value of intellectual freedom, infringing young Albertans’ access, preventing them from educating themselves, and preventing children and guardians from making informed decisions.

Censorship and surveillance has no place in libraries and the AAAL alongside the CFLA-FCAB, calls upon Alberta residents to stand up for their libraries, learn the importance of them, and restore decision making on our collections to librarians. 82% of Albertans trust their public libraries to make decisions on the collections (Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries). We encourage our local communities to speak and stand up to the Government of Alberta, restoring access to materials for our young patrons, and prevent censorship.

AAAL will continue to uphold the value of librarianship and work together with our public libraries, the Canadian Federation of Library Association, and other library associations to promote and foster intellectual freedom in library spaces.

Thank you,

Aurora Frewin, AAAL Secretary

On behalf of the AAAL Executive

AAAL Statement for Alberta Public Libraries Day of Action

September 14, 2026AnnouncementsAAAL

Alberta Public Libraries Day of Action is October 1st and AAAL stands in solidarity with our public library colleagues. The Library Association of Alberta (LAA) is inviting public libraries to participate in this event, informing community members about the impact Bill 28’s regulations will have on our colleagues and the community at large.

Public libraries have a tremendous impact on the community, providing a safe space to pursue intellectual freedom and knowledge, education, information and digital literacy, and engage in leisurely activities. They are spaces for all community members from all backgrounds, and public libraries have a role in engaging and connecting the larger Albertan community.

The regulations required by Bill 28 infringes on the intellectual rights and freedoms of community members and restricts access to information. These regulations require considerable resources to implement, impacting crucial daily library tasks and activities.

We support and applaud this Alberta Public Libraries Day of Action initiative put forth by LAA. AAAL will continue to advocate and discuss the vital role all librarians play in our community and support the core values of librarianship.