Intellectual Freedom at WBRL
Bill 28 creates new barriers to access, moves decision-making from local boards and trained professionals, and raises privacy concerns.
FTR Blog
Freedom to Read
Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries
About CAP Libraries
Wood Buffalo Regional Library is a proud member of the Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries (CAP Libraries). CAP Libraries represents 32 public library service points, service 99% of Albertans.
Libraries are not optional amenities — they are essential public infrastructure that supports learning, employment, digital access, and social connection. Virtually every Albertan benefits from public libraries, from preschoolers to seniors. It is the responsibility of public libraries to guarantee and facilitate access to all expressions of knowledge and intellectual activity, including those which some members of society may consider to be unconventional, unpopular, or unacceptable.
Response to Bill 28
The Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries (CAP Libraries) is strongly opposed to the proposed Municipal Affairs and Housing Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 28), because it undermines free speech and expression, local decision-making, and the privacy of Albertans. This proposed legislation restricts your right to access material freely by allowing the government to require proof of age in order to access material. This change will impact library users over the age of 18 as well.
Bill 28 introduces expanded government oversight into public library operations and enables increased inspection of records, creating serious privacy concerns for Albertans. No Albertan should have their reading habits tracked, flagged, or monitored by any government body. That’s not how a free society works. These changes undermine longstanding protections that keep what you read private.
This isn't about protecting kids - Libraries already do that.
- Public libraries already respect the rights of parents to make decisions for their children’s reading and library use.
- This bill introduces parental approval requirements that could create new access barriers for blended families, grandparents, foster parents, and others who care for children.
- Restricting access to public library materials is censorship, regardless of whether these materials remain physically in library spaces.
- Libraries are committed to removing barriers, not adding more, and respecting the parent’s right to make decisions around their children’s use of the library and library materials.
82% of Albertans trust their local public library to make appropriate decisions about what materials are available.
- Public libraries are community-led institutions governed locally by publicly appointed boards and guided by professional standards.
- Libraries make decisions about collections and access at the local level, informed by community needs and professional judgement. What the community needs in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo can be different than what the people in Lethbridge or Red Deer need from their library.
- Recent polling by Janet Brown Opinion Research also showed that 69% of Albertans prefer decisions around materials be made by locally trained staff guided by local boards rather than through province-wide rules. The full poll details can be found at CAPlibraries.ca.
This Bill requires library staff to serve as gatekeepers of access to books and materials.
- Albertans believe in freedom, privacy, and trusting local communities to make local decisions. Bill 28 pulls us in the opposite direction - more control, more oversight, and less trust in local decision-making.
- This bill would force libraries to build new tracking systems and paperwork just to comply with the provincial requirements, taking resources away from books, programs, and services people actually use.
How Can Albertans Help
Take Action Against Bill 28!
CAP Libraries has launched a digital postcard to help Albertans express concerns around Bill 28 to the Premier, Minister of Municipal Affairs, and local MLAs. It just takes a few minutes.
Here are some other ways to help:
- Visit CAPLibraries.ca, opens a new window and follow @CAPLibraries on social.
- Sign-up for future updates on this important issue at CAPlibraries.ca/stay-informed, opens a new window
- Visit your local library and show them your support.
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Write, call, or email the Premier of Alberta, Minister of Municipal Affairs, and your local MLA to express your concerns with Bill 28. Contact information is available on CAPLibraries.ca
Read Freely
Read Freely
Freedom to Read for Adults
Freedom to Read for Teens
Freedom to Read for Children
Information for Parents
Wood Buffalo Regional Library (WBRL) offers services, programs, and materials to meet a wide variety of community needs, support intellectual freedom, and contribute to a diverse and inclusive region.
WBRL respects every individual’s right to decide what content they engage with through our library – whether borrowing materials, accessing library services, or participating in programs or events. In the case of a child, these decisions rest with the parent or guardian. Attending any program or borrowing any materials is a personal choice, and not all programs and materials will interest all community members or align with all viewpoints.
We encourage families to talk together about what is appropriate to read, watch, listen to, and play for their family. Libraries respect family autonomy while providing equal access to all.
Intellectual freedom is essential for children and youth to effectively explore the world of ideas; discover and pursue interests; learn skills and access information; inspire innovation; and grow in self-knowledge and empathy. Libraries respect the rights of children to access information and ideas.
Parents and guardians have the right to steward their child’s exploration of the library in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child, but do not have the right to place access restrictions on other children.
– CFLA-FCAB Statement on Libraries & the Intellectual Freedom of Children & Youth, opens a new window
Helpful tip! Tools such as BiblioCommons,, opens a new window catalogue records or Novelist K-8 Plus, opens a new window often include publisher reviews that list the target audience and content of an item.
Intellectual Freedom
What is Intellectual Freedom?
Intellectual freedom is the right of every person to seek, receive, and share information and ideas without restriction. Libraries provide access to a wide range of viewpoints and materials, supporting lifelong learning, democracy, and personal growth.
The Canadian Federation of Library Associations supports and promotes the universal principles of intellectual freedom as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which include the interlocking freedoms to hold opinions and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Why Intellectual Freedom Matters
Intellectual freedom is essential to a healthy, informed community. It encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning by ensuring people can explore ideas freely. It provides access to diverse perspectives and voices, helping individuals broaden their understanding of the world around them. By protecting against censorship and promoting respect for differing opinions and beliefs, intellectual freedom supports open dialogue and mutual understanding, even when viewpoints differ.
The Canadian Federation of Library Associations affirms that all persons in Canada have a fundamental right, subject only to the Constitution and the law, to have access to the full range of knowledge, imagination, ideas, and opinion, and to express their thoughts publicly.
Intellectual Freedom in Practice at WBRL
At WBRL, intellectual freedom is reflected in our commitment to offering diverse collections that cover a wide range of topics, including ideas that some may consider controversial or challenging. We protect the confidentiality of borrowing records and provide free access to the internet and electronic resources to support equitable access to information. Materials are not removed simply because they may offend some readers; instead, we uphold the principle that access to information should not be restricted based on personal disagreement.
The Canadian Federation of Library Associations affirms further that libraries have a core responsibility to support, defend and promote the universal principles of intellectual freedom and privacy.
How You Can Participate
You can support intellectual freedom by exploring widely – discovering new authors, topics, and formats that expand your perspective. Respecting others’ choices is equally important; this means refraining from judging or attempting to restrict what others choose to read. Families are encouraged to monitor their own library use in a way that reflects their personal values. Participating in library programs and discussion groups also provides opportunities to engage with diverse viewpoints in a welcoming and respectful environment.
FAQs
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Albertans Trust Their Libraries
In January 2026, the Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries commissioned research by Alberta pollster Janet Brown to better understand public views on library decision-making and the principle of intellectual freedom.
This research, opens a new window confirms that public libraries are among Alberta’s most trusted and widely used public institutions. Key findings include:
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WBRL respects every individual’s right to decide what content they engage with through our library – whether borrowing materials, accessing library services, or participating in programs or events. In the case of a child, these decisions rest with the parent or guardian.
Library materials are selected, catalogued, labelled, and shelved according to their intended audience; children’s, teen, and adult collections are clearly separated. Libraries do not direct what individual children read. Instead, we provide access to a wide range of materials and trust parents and guardians to guide their own children’s choices. Each family can decide what is appropriate for them, while respecting the rights of others to do the same.
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We encourage you to take a moment to familiarize yourself with the Wood Buffalo Regional Library Board Collection Management Policy.
Library patrons who have an issue or concern with a specific title in our collection can submit a Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials form after reading the source material in full, if they feel that the content of the collection item is not consistent with the criteria outlined in our Board Policies.
Every request is carefully reviewed, formally recorded, and responded to in a timely manner.
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The Canadian Library Challenges Database, opens a new window provides access to challenges libraries have faced to items in their collection, and to displays, programs, room usage, and computer access.
The Freedom to Read, opens a new window website has a number of resources to help you learn more about titles that have been challenged or banned in Canada or internationally:
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Official Freedom to Read website: freedomtoread.ca, opens a new window
- Read the Book and Periodical Council's Position Statement on Freedom of Expression and Freedom to Read, opens a new window
Centre for Free Expression: cfe.torontomu.ca, opens a new window
A platform dedicated to Freedom of Expression and the Public's Right to Know.
Genuine democracy, advancement of knowledge, individual self-development, and social justice depend on a society in which freedom of expression and the right to know are a reality for everyone. The Centre for Free Expression works to advance these rights though public education, advocacy, law reform, research, advisory services, policy analysis, assistance to courts, and organizational collaborations.
Canadian Federation of Library Associations website: cfla-fcab.ca, opens a new window
- Read the Canadian Federation of Library Associations' Statement on Intellectual Freedom and Libraries, opens a new window
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions website: ifla.org, opens a new window
- Read the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions' Statement on Libraries and Intellectual Freedom