The speed at which librarians and the community volunteers who sit on local public library boards across Alberta responded to Williams’ bill was swift.
The Town of Mayerthorpe Library Board took on Williams’ principal claims straight on in a statement published by the Mayerthorpe Freelancer:
The Mayerthorpe Public Library does not have pornographic material for children, nor does any other public library in Alberta. Our collection is guided by a board-approved collection development policy and is informed by professional library standards. Materials are catalogued and shelved appropriately by age. The library board has a formal process for patrons to request reconsideration of items – a process that has never been used in our community.
The Town of Olds Library board expressed concern that several aspects of a proposed bill could curtail library board autonomy and intimidate staff.
