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Part of Municipalities

Public library services

Provides policy, planning and administrative expertise to develop and maintain provincial legislation related to public library service.

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Public library services

Introduction

The Public Library Services Branch is part of the Municipal Services Division of Municipal Affairs.

We are accountable to the minister for ensuring library board compliance with the Libraries Act and Libraries Regulation. 
 

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Operating grants

Public Library Board Operating Grants
Municipal, intermunicipal and library system boards can apply for funding to develop and improve public library services.

In focus

Public Library Grant for Skill Development in rural Alberta

Public library boards serving populations of 20,000 or smaller can submit projects for one-time funding.

Library Board Basics workshops
Learn public library service structure and how to support delivery of effective public library service in your community and region.
Accessible library support
Alberta public libraries have access to resources that respond to the needs of people with print disabilities.
Indigenous library services
People living on reserves and settlements can access public library resources and services throughout Alberta.

Minister's awards

Minister's Awards for Municipal and Public Library Excellence

Recognizing excellence and innovation in public library service delivery.

Public Library Services Branch services

Branch staff:

  • provide advisory support to over 220 municipal and intermunicipal library boards and 7 library system boards established under the Libraries Act in areas related to legislation and management of public library service
  • support the formation of library boards in Indigenous communities and support regional library system boards and large municipal library boards to serve Indigenous patrons from neighbouring First Nation reserves and Metis Settlements
  • deliver orientation programs for public library board members consult with staff and board members of municipal and system boards on planning and policy development for municipal boards and regional service delivery at the library system level
  • develop financial policy and deliver Public Library Board Operating Grants to help public library boards in the provision of library service
  • collect and publish provincial public library statistics which provide a summary of library funding and performance indicators for all public library boards
  • support ministry initiatives including the annual Minister's Awards for Municipal and Public Library Excellence
  • coordinate and support the Public Library Network
  • support library boards and staff in providing accessible titles and services from the National Network of Equitable Library Service (NNELS) and the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA)
  • train Alberta Public Service employees on creating accessible documents and remediate government information so Albertans who use assistive technology can read it

Contact

Connect with the Public Library Services Branch:

Phone: 780-427-4871
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

Address:
17th Floor, Commerce Place
10155 102 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4L4

Next Public library structure in Alberta