Notice Board
Library CEO Peter Bailey Announces Retirement After 24 Years of Service
Peter Bailey, Chief Executive Officer, will be retiring on August 31, 2025, after 24 years of dedicated service to the St. Albert Public Library and our community. Peter’s leadership has shaped SAPL into the vibrant, inclusive, and innovative library it is today. We are deeply grateful for his vision, commitment, and the legacy he leaves behind. From championing digital access to launching the Jensen Lakes Library, his legacy is one of impact, advocacy, and heart. Please take a moment to read the Media Release for more details about this transition and the Library Board’s plans moving forward and join us in celebrating Peter’s incredible contributions.
“The future of libraries isn’t digital—it’s biological. It’s about people, not things.” – Peter Bailey
Statement from the St. Albert Public Library on Proposed School Library Standards
The St. Albert Public Library is deeply concerned by the Alberta government’s proposed school library standards, which—despite claims to the contrary—function as a book ban in all but name. Singling out specific titles, many of which center 2SLGBTQ+ experiences, sends a chilling message about whose stories are deemed acceptable in our schools.
This policy distracts from the real issue: Alberta’s chronic underinvestment in school libraries. A recent review by the Alberta School Library Council found that only 10 to 20 teacher-librarians remain in Alberta schools—down from hundreds two decades ago. Without trained professionals to guide collection development, schools are left vulnerable to politicized decisions rather than educational expertise.
We echo the Library Association of Alberta, Canadian School Libraries, the Alberta Teachers’ Association, and other education leaders in urging the government to support, not censor, school libraries. Students deserve access to diverse, age-appropriate materials that reflect their identities and broaden their understanding of the world.
Parents have the right to guide their own children’s reading—but not to restrict access for others. We encourage Albertans to speak up and complete the government’s survey before it closes June 6.
The St. Albert Public Library remains committed to intellectual freedom and inclusive access to information for all.
Service announcement: Pronunciator and the Bluebird Languages app
We’re making some exciting changes to our online language learning services. As part of a province-wide update, access to Pronunciator and the Bluebird Languages app will be ending immediately. While we can’t share details just yet, a new and improved platform is on the way this summer! In the meantime, we appreciate your patience during this short service gap and can’t wait to introduce you to what’s next. Stay tuned for updates!
Service Announcement: hoopla discontinued
After careful consideration, we have joined many other libraries in discontinuing the hoopla streaming service. The last day of hoopla service was April 30, 2025. Please visit our FAQ page for more information.
Don’t worry, we have you covered! Libby by Overdrive is our very popular eBook, eAudiobook, eComic and eMagazine service, with thousands of great resources waiting to be discovered.