World language material is provided through the Alberta Multilingual Book Consortium (AMBC), which includes most of the small and mid-sized public libraries in Alberta. These libraries cooperate in the purchase and sharing of world language material to benefit residents across the province.

The collection consists of books in more than 30 foreign languages at adult and children's reading levels. Each block consists of 25 books at either adult or child reading levels. This collection does not contain French language books. Specific title or author requests are not available and the collection is not catalogued. It does not include audio books or videos.

Participating libraries may request blocks using the online World Language Block Request form.
Patrons may not submit a request form. Contact your public library and staff will request the blocks for you.

Languages available:

French language books are not available through this service.

Additional resources are available for world language readers - online and in print.

Requests can be placed as often as needed and blocks may be kept up to six months. If demand exceeds available stock, your request will be placed on a waiting list and filled at the earliest possible date.

Participating libraries are asked to follow the established circulation procedures. Collection development for world languages follows approved collection guidelines and donations are accepted based on the consortium's purchase and donation guidelines.

We encourage participating libraries to share their world language books marketing material.

The Consortium, which is entirely self-funded, gratefully acknowledges ongoing financial assistance from the Alberta Association for Multicultural Education. In 2012, the Association's donation was used to purchase Italian juvenile books. In 2009, AMBC was honoured to accept in-kind and cash donations of $10,000 each to the Vietnamese and Filipino collections from the Asian Heritage Foundation, in cooperation with the Calgary Vietnamese Canadian Association and Zambales Association of Calgary.

Parkland Regional Library manages the collection on behalf of the consortium. Contact the World Language Books clerk by phone or email (direct.services@prl.ab.ca) if you have further inquiries.