Alberta provides ‘clear guidance’ on standards for books in school libraries

The Alberta government has released what it calls 'clear guidance' on the kinds of books it expects to see in school libraries come the fall.

Alberta’s government has introduced new provincewide standards for school library materials, through a ministerial order, aiming to ensure content is age-appropriate and free from explicit sexual material.

Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides says the new guidelines are not about “banning books,” but rather providing clear direction to school boards.

“Our actions to ensure that materials in school libraries don’t expose children to sexual content were never about banning books,” said Nicolaides.

“These new standards are to ensure that school boards have clear guidance to ensure age-appropriate access to school library materials, while reflecting the values and priorities of Albertans.”

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Under the new standards, school libraries are prohibited from including materials that contain explicit sexual content.

In May, the province listed examples of books found in Alberta K-12 schools they decided were inappropriate, including:

• Gender Queer, graphic novel by Maia Kobabe, found in K-9 schools and high schools in Calgary Board of Education as well as high schools in Edmonton Public School Board;
• Fun Home, a graphic novel by Alison Bechdel, found in schools with students within the K-9 range as well as high schools in Edmonton Public School Board;
• Blankets, a graphic novel by Craig Thompson, Found in Schools with students within the K-9 range in Edmonton Public School Board, as well as high schools in Edmonton Public School Board and Calgary Board of Education, and
• Flamer, graphic novel by Mike Curato, found in schools with students within the K-9 range in Calgary Board of Education & Edmonton Public School Board schools, as well as high schools in Edmonton Public School Board and Calgary Board of Education.

To read excerpts of the novels, you can visit the province’s website which also includes a link showing pictures of the content in question.

The province defines explicit sexual content as “containing a detailed and clear depiction of a sexual act.”

Examples provided include masturbation, genital contact and penetration.

Non-explicit sexual content may be accessible only to students in Grade 10 and above, provided it is age-appropriate for that demographic.

This includes “a depiction of sexual acts that is not detailed or clear.”

Students in Grade 9 and younger are not allowed to access materials containing non-explicit sexual content.

Those in Grades 10 to 12 can access books that contain non-explicit sexual content if it is “developmentally appropriate.”

The province says there are absolutely no restrictions on content about puberty, menstruation and breastfeeding for any grade level.

School boards are also now required to regularly review their library collections, publish a full list of available materials, and ensure staff supervise students’ access to library resources.

They will have until Oct. 1 to remove any materials with explicit sexual content from their libraries.

Publicly available policies that align with the new standards must be made available by Jan 1, 2026 in all public, separate, francophone, charter and independent schools.

The ministerial order does not apply to municipal libraries located within schools or to materials selected by teachers for classroom use as learning and teaching resources.

Department officials say no additional funding will be made available to school boards to carry out the additional work.

Religious books, such as the Bible, are exempt from the new ministerial order.

‘Already has rigorous processes’: CBE

On Thursday, the Calgary Board of Education provided a statement:

“We just received the new provincial standards regarding school library materials today. We will review this information to understand what adjustments may be required to CBE’s policies and processes to align with this Ministerial Order,” the statement read.

“The CBE already has rigorous processes to ensure that library resources are age-appropriate and relevant for students. Our practices are guided by principles such as those outlined in the Foundations for School Library Learning Commons in Canada: A Framework for Success (Canadian School Libraries, 2023).

“We also have clear mechanisms in place for any member of the school community to bring forward concerns about specific resources.”

‘Will align’: CCSD

On Thursday, the Calgary Catholic School District provided a statement:

“As always, the Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) follows the direction of Alberta Education and will align with the new mandated standards for school libraries. CCSD also has an established Administrative Procedure, AP 251 – Instructional Resources, which outlines how resources are selected. CCSD remains committed to supporting student success and well-being in safe and caring learning environments where students can reach their full potential, centred in Christ.”