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School library standards engagement

Albertans provided input on potential new standards for how Kindergarten to Grade 12 school library materials are selected and managed.

Overview

In summer 2025, we gathered input on new standards to guide school boards in selecting and managing materials with sexual content in K to 12 school libraries. 

In July 2025, a Ministerial Order was introduced requiring school boards to develop standards for the selection and availability of school library materials.

In September 2025, the original order was replaced with a revised version:

Status

  • Open

  • Results under review

  • Completed

Who is listening

Ministry of Education and Childcare

Get informed

While many school boards already have policies that address school library materials, the new standards will be consistent across the province, applying to public, separate, francophone, public charter and independent schools.

The standards will not affect materials in Alberta public libraries, including 55 municipal public libraries located in schools.

Input received

Respondents shared feedback on what they believe is acceptable for school library collections through an online survey from May 26 to June 6, 2025.

Outcomes

Under the updated standards, school boards must remove any school literary materials that contain explicit visual depictions of a sexual act. To ensure the intent of the standards is clear and achievable, the updated order: 

  • Narrows the scope to focus strictly on explicit visual depictions of a sexual act.
  • Requires school boards to be transparent about school literary materials:
    • For classroom collections, school boards must ensure that parents whose children have access to the collection are informed of what it contains.  
    • For all other school literary material, school boards will be required to maintain a publicly available list.
  • Extends the implementation date to January 5, 2026, to provide school boards with additional time for communication and preparation.
  • Applies to all grades and removes references to restrictions on specific grade levels. 

By October 31, school boards must provide the minister with a list of literary materials they intend to remove in order to implement the standards. 

Resources

  • Reference material: Examples of Sexual Content in School Libraries
    Content warning: this document contains graphic content that may be disturbing to some viewers and is not appropriate for young viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.

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