Public library structure in Alberta

Boards that are established and operate at the local level are called municipal or intermunicipal library boards. Intermunicipal library boards can be considered a type of municipal library board; they differ in how they are established, and in their relationship with multiple municipal councils, but otherwise have the same general responsibilities and structure. For this reason, both types of boards are often referred to collectively as 'municipal library boards'.

Municipal and intermunicipal library boards have a responsibility to: 

• provide library service that meets local needs
• create policies and plans that enable good library service and good management of the library
• obtain adequate funding and budget the library’s expenditures
• communicate with and respond to the community and municipal council
• employ a competent library manager, giving direction and evaluating performance
• promote and support the library, and to advocate on behalf of the library
• stay informed of library issues, trends, and developments
• be part of the larger library community, in Alberta and beyond 

Library systems provide centralized services to municipal libraries, including:

• centralized purchasing, cataloguing and processing of books and other materials
• provision of a library catalogue
• IT support
• delivery of materials between libraries
• training and consultation
• connection to the provincial Public Library Network

Library systems are managed and controlled by a system board. The board consists of one board member for each member jurisdiction. System boards tend to include many members, so they typically appoint an executive committee to conduct some of the business of the board.

System services are determined by the members (the municipalities and other jurisdictions that participate), based on input from their respective local municipal or intermunicipal library boards. Ideally, the individual appointed to the system board for the jurisdiction maintains an ongoing connection with the municipal board to ensure the system services are appropriate for the needs of the local library. Often the system board member is also a member of the municipal or intermunicipal board.

There are 7 library systems in Alberta:

• Chinook Arch Regional Library System
• Marigold Library System
• Northern Lights Library System
• Parkland Regional Library System
• Peace Library System
• Shortgrass Library System
• Yellowhead Regional Library System

PLSB’s role is to provide equitable access to library and information resources for all Albertans. This is done by establishing municipal and library system boards, implementing the provincial Public Library Network and administering the Libraries Act and Libraries Regulation by:

• maintaining public library governance structures
• supporting municipal, intermunicipal, and library system boards
• establishing and funding a province-wide network of libraries to enable sharing of library resources
• encouraging greater collaboration between library boards, and
• providing funding to municipal, intermunicipal, and library system boards

PLSB provides assistance and consultation to public library board members, library personnel, municipal councils and other agencies, organizations and individuals concerned with public library service development.

The province supports 4 principles for equitable access to public library resources:

• Access – Albertans have an equal right to access information regardless of economic, social or geographic circumstances.
• Accountability – Provincial and municipal governments are responsible for maintaining a healthy public library service. Library boards are accountable to the citizens and funding authorities.
• Quality service – Cooperation among and through library systems is the most efficient means of providing access to information.
• Funding – Public library service is funded by local and provincial tax dollars. Library boards are not taxing authorities but as corporations may raise additional funds.

The Libraries Act is the legal basis for library boards in Alberta and provides the governance structure for public library service delivery. It applies to all municipal, intermunicipal and system library boards. Typically, the Act and any amendments to it are passed by the Legislature.

Under the Act, library boards are charged with providing 'comprehensive and efficient service'. Library boards are corporations upon establishment and have full management and control over the operation of their service points.

Even though the Libraries Act has undergone a number of changes, the fundamental concepts of local autonomy, equity and access are still the basis of the legislation.

The Libraries Regulation includes best management practices and provides guidance to library boards to plan and develop library service both at the local and system levels. It also sets out the responsibilities of library boards to develop policies and to cooperate with other library boards when using public library resources. 

The Libraries Act and Regulation are companion pieces of legislation and related to one another. They also sit alongside other provincial legislation such as the Municipal Government Act. All provincial legislation works in harmony. One Act does not supersede another.

Library boards are also subject to a range of other legislation. This includes, but is not limited to the: 

• Employment Standards Code and Regulation
• Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Access to Information Act
• Protection of Privacy Act
• Copyright Act
• Municipal Government Act
• Human Rights Act
• Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms