Public library structure in Alberta

Overview

Public library service is a municipally-based service as set out in the Libraries Act and has a focus on local community needs. A provincial network has grown over the years, with library systems, resource sharing initiatives and other arrangements creating links between libraries, but the public library is still established and governed at the local level.

The governance structure for public library service delivery in Alberta ensures:

• all Albertans have equitable access to public library service
• decision-making about public library service is made at the local level
• library boards operate with full authority and autonomy, while still being accountable to municipal council, to the Minister responsible for public library service and to Albertans

The provincial government has responsibility for maintaining this structure through legislation and policy, and for offering support and guidance to library boards.

The Government of Alberta provides grants to municipal, intermunicipal and library system boards to supplement municipal funding and encourage library service.
 

Local service

Public library service in Alberta is a municipally based service managed by independent library boards. When a municipality decides that public library service should be offered at a local level, its council may pass a bylaw under the Libraries Act to establish a municipal library board. Once established, that board is the legal entity responsible for ensuring that public library service is delivered to residents on behalf of the municipality.

Municipal library boards

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."

Responsibilities

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 

Regional service

Library systems are formed under the Libraries Act when eligible jurisdictions in an area agree to jointly provide library system services. This includes:

• municipalities
• school authorities
• improvement districts
• Metis Settlements
• other eligible jurisdictions

The jurisdictions are the members of the systems. Municipal and intermunicipal library boards receive the services provided by the library system.

Services

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

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

Provincial support

Public Library Services Branch (PLSB) is a part of the Municipal Services Division of Municipal Affairs.

Services

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.

Principles for access

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.

Legislation

The Libraries Act and Libraries Regulation work together to create a framework for public library service in Alberta. This framework applies to all library boards, and the libraries they control, regardless of geographic location, size of the community served, funding and service levels, etc.

The legislation tells library boards what they can do and what they must do, but not how to do it.

The Libraries Act

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.

Other legislation

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

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

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

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