EDMONTON, November 12 -- On November 10, 2026, the Edmonton Public Library (EPL) Board of Trustees voted to direct EPL to comply with new provincial regulations under Alberta’s Libraries Act, as amended by Bill 28. The regulations take effect January 1, 2027, and apply to every public library in Alberta.
“This was an incredibly difficult decision,” said Shawna Vogel, Chair, EPL Board of Trustees. “Over the past two months, trustees carefully considered all of the options available to us, and thoughtfully weighed the potential impacts on customers, staff and the organization. We are complying because we are required to by law, not because we agree. Our commitment to freedom of expression and intellectual freedom has not changed, and it will guide how EPL approaches everything that comes next.”
What will change on January 1
The regulations require libraries to restrict materials that contain visual depictions of sexual acts, as defined by the Government of Alberta. For Edmontonians, this means:
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Everyone is affected, including adults. Restricted materials will be removed from open shelves and will no longer be browsable. They will be available only through holds, with pickup assisted by staff.
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The restrictions cover far more than books. The regulations apply to both adult and juvenile material, including graphic novels, comics, magazines, films, TV series and video games, and they also set requirements for how children under 16 use library computers and gaming equipment.
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Accounts for customers under 16 will need to be updated. A parent or guardian must provide authorization, recorded on the child’s account, before the child can access restricted materials. Without it, the child’s access to EPL’s full collection will be limited. Details on how to authorize access will be shared in the coming weeks.
“These restrictions effectively amount to censorship, limiting all Albertans’ freedom to access information, and we will continue to speak out against them. In the meantime, our responsibility is to comply with the law while keeping the library experience as normal as possible, ensuring our branches remain welcoming spaces for everyone”, said Sharon Day, CEO, Edmonton Public Library.
Where to find information: In the weeks leading up to January 1, EPL will share its new policy, answers to common questions and information for customers, including how parents and guardians can authorize access for their children on EPL.ca.
About the Edmonton Public Library
The Edmonton Public Library (EPL) is a gathering place for people and ideas, enabling a lifetime of learning, engagement, and possibility for every Edmontonian. The second most visited place in Edmonton, EPL welcomes over 15.4 million in-branch and online visits each year across its 21 branches and website. We deliver our incredible content to you everywhere—in the library, at home, or on your handheld device. Unmatched access and unrivalled value: that's today's EPL.
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