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.

Thank you,

Aurora Frewin, AAAL Secretary

On behalf of the AAAL Executive

We would like to thank our members for their high level of engagement with our Statement Regarding Bill 28 – Invitation to Sign Open Letter. Our community’s support for our colleagues in public libraries is heartening. As we have witnessed, Bill 28 did pass.  

We are writing this follow-up to share with you that we recently heard back from the Alberta Government with the following letter AR122873 – Minister signed letter.pdf. It is disappointing to see no changes, despite efforts from the Alberta library community to engage respectfully. That being said, the AAAL executive is proud to see a membership that is willing to support the principles of intellectual freedom, privacy, and equitable access to information. AAAL is keen to continue advocating for Alberta Libraries and support the core values of librarianship. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thank you, 

Céline Gareau-Brennan, AAAL Chair

On behalf of the AAAL Executive

The Alberta Association of Academic Libraries (AAAL) is launching a new AAAL Resource Sharing Community of Practice (CoP). The AAAL Resource Sharing CoP will launch in August 2026 and have regular online meetings, which will be initially facilitated by Anne Carr-Wiggin. 

With NEOS ending, AAAL seeks to support its members in discussing how to efficiently share resources. Although the AAAL Resource Sharing CoP would not replace the NEOS infrastructure, it would allow for a networking environment in which AAAL members could share challenges and successes as it relates to resource sharing.

All staff (library assistants, library staff, pages, library technicians, librarians, managers  etc) from AAAL member institutions are eligible to participate in this CoP.

If you are interested in joining the AAAL Resource Sharing CoP, please contact Anne Carr-Wiggin at anne.carr-wiggin@ualberta.ca

Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you!

The Alberta Association of Academic Libraries (AAAL) is strongly opposed to the proposed Bill 28 and the changes to Alberta’s Libraries Act. Academic libraries across Alberta support the principles of intellectual freedom, privacy, and equitable access to information. These principles are the foundation for a strong democratic society and a thriving post-secondary system. Bill 28 undermines free speech and expression, local decision-making, and the privacy of Albertans.

Our colleagues in public libraries are trained professionals who develop library collections using established policies, industry standards, and community-informed processes. Libraries in Alberta work because they are locally governed, professionally staffed, and responsive to the people they serve. Centralizing control at the provincial level threatens that balance and risks harming institutions that already function well and are widely trusted. 

We respectfully call on the Government of Alberta to pause further implementation and meaningfully consult with libraries, municipalities, and Albertans before making such significant changes. We believe there is an opportunity for a collaborative approach that addresses concerns about age-appropriate access while respecting parental responsibility and protecting privacy.

The AAAL has drafted a letter to the Premier and Minister of Municipal Affairs regarding the proposed Bill 28. All AAAL members are welcome to sign it before Friday, May 15^th: Open Letter to the Government of Alberta

We encourage Albertans to write, call, or email the Premier of Alberta, Minister of Municipal Affairs, and your local MLA to express your concerns.

Learn more about Bill 28: https://www.caplibraries.ca/stand-up-for-albertas-public-libraries