Alberta School Boards Remove Library Books Under New Ban

Alberta’s largest school divisions have begun removing dozens of library books following a provincial ban on sexually explicit material that took effect this week. The Edmonton Public School Board confirmed the removal of 34 titles to comply with the government order, while the Calgary Board of Education reported the removal of 44 titles.

Kim Smith, a spokesperson for the Edmonton Public School Board, stated that the list of removed books is not exhaustive and can be updated as needed. “It’s important to note that the list is not exhaustive; it is a living document that can be adjusted,” Smith explained. The board has opted not to disclose the specific titles that have been removed.

In Calgary, Joanne Anderson, representing the Calgary Board of Education, emphasized that the removed titles represent only a small fraction of the division’s extensive library collection, which includes 3,192,457 items and approximately 700,000 unique titles.

Details of the Provincial Policy

The Edmonton Catholic School Division also confirmed that six books have been removed from its libraries, though specific titles were not disclosed. The provincial policy, announced in the fall of 2025, mandates the removal of books containing explicit images or illustrations of sexual content. Initially, the policy targeted books with written descriptions of sexual content, but changes were made after concerns were raised about the removal of classic literature.

Premier Danielle Smith and Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides clarified that their focus was primarily on images rather than written content. “Classic literary works that work to provoke the mind and challenge our thinking are exactly the type of material that should be provided in a school library,” Nicolaides remarked in September.

As part of the revised policy, school divisions are required to submit lists of books slated for removal to the education ministry. According to Garrett Koehler, press secretary for Nicolaides, the government did not influence the final lists. “School boards had the final decision and full discretion on creating the lists based on the ministerial order,” Koehler stated in an email.

New Review Processes Implemented

Both the Edmonton and Calgary school boards have established new policies for managing library materials. These include guidelines for students, parents, and community members to request content reviews of specific books. Edmonton Public Schools plans to form an internal committee to oversee these reviews, with a commitment to complete evaluations within 60 operating days of receiving a request. During the review process, books under scrutiny will remain available to students.

Meanwhile, the Calgary Board of Education will delegate book reviews to school principals or designated staff, incorporating input from other officials as necessary. The developments come as the provincial government seeks to balance community standards with educational access.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on January 6, 2026.