The Libraries Act

Preamble to the Libraries Act *

Public libraries as essential to our future. They further lifelong learning and encourage creativity. They support strong, healthy communities and help Albertans compete in the global economy. The Libraries Act recognizes the unique role of public libraries as the key point of access to information for all Albertans.

The Libraries Act embodies four principles for equitable public library service:

• 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.
• Service efficiency and effectiveness: 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 may raise funds. They may not charge for basic public library service.

The Libraries Act sets out conditions of free basic public library service:

• access to library facilities;
• use of library resources in the library;
• borrowing library resources;
• acquiring library resources through interlibrary loan;
• consultation by library staff, and
• basic information service.

The Libraries Act defines the roles of the partners in library development. It recognizes the municipality as the foundation
for public library service and the library boards as the major building blocks. It allows for cooperation between
municipalities and school authorities to provide equitable and enhanced service through library systems in large regional
areas.

The Libraries Act sets out the governance structure for public library service. It provides for the establishment of municipal and community library boards at the local level and system boards at the regional level. These autonomous boards cooperate through provincial networks and resource sharing agreements to give access to public library resources to all Albertans.

The provincial role is: to support equitable access to library service; to maintain a governance structure; to provide funding assistance and to establish a province-wide network for communications and sharing of library resources. The Libraries Act will position Alberta's libraries to take a lead role in the delivery of information in the age of connectivity.

* A copy of the Libraries Act can be obtained at Airdrie Public Library, or by contacting Alberta Queen's Printer.