A recent provincial directive regarding school literature materials has led several Alberta school divisions to remove approximately two dozen books from their shelves. However, the specific titles remain undisclosed.
Following a government mandate to eliminate any explicit or graphic content from students’ access, the Calgary Board of Education, Alberta’s largest school division, identified 44 titles for removal from their libraries, as stated by CBE spokesperson Joanne Anderson. This accounts for a small fraction of the roughly 700,000 titles within the division’s libraries.
Similarly, Edmonton Public Schools compiled a list of 34 books earmarked for removal, out of the approximately 480,000 titles available. This list is described as a dynamic document that can be adjusted, according to spokesperson Kim Smith.
Both school divisions have declined to disclose the list of withdrawn materials, citing the Edmonton Public School Board’s list as an internal document. In accordance with the ministerial order, Rocky View Public Schools, encompassing Calgary, removed 35 titles from their shelves.
Meanwhile, the Edmonton Catholic School Division removed six titles following its review, although the specific titles were not disclosed. Elk Island Catholic Schools conducted a review of their library collection, involving about 20 staff members, but found no materials necessitating removal under provincial guidelines.
On the other hand, the Calgary Catholic School District and Red Deer Public Schools did not identify any materials requiring removal.
In response to concerns raised by a conservative group regarding graphic novels in school libraries, Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides had previously indicated forthcoming changes to school library material regulations. Subsequently, a ministerial order in July mandated the removal of sexually explicit books from schools by October, which included descriptions of sexual acts.
In a subsequent development, a revised ministerial order in September was refined to target materials depicting graphic sexual acts. Schools were instructed to submit lists of books for removal by October 31 and to adopt new policies for reviewing literary materials by January 5.
All Alberta school boards, charter, and independent schools have submitted lists of materials for removal, with the responsibility of determining compliance falling on the respective school boards. The government emphasized the importance of adhering to the standards to prevent children from exposure to inappropriate content.
Despite the rigorous review process, concerns have been raised by various stakeholders, including parents and educators, regarding the extent and impact of the book removal exercise. Questions have been raised about the necessity and effectiveness of the policy, with some highlighting the erosion of trust in educators and the need for local decision-making in such matters.
As the situation unfolds, stakeholders continue to monitor the implications of the book removal exercise on school communities and educational practices.