Regional Projects
Library Book Rate Threatened
What is the Library Book Rate?
The Library Book Rate (LBR) was introduced as part of the Publications Assistance Program in 1939. It is in effect a subsidy from the Government of Canada, through the Department of Canadian Heritage, to Canada Post which allows libraries to mail each other books for rates substantially lower than commercial rates. The LBR does not apply to advertising, photocopies, tapes, videos, microformats, etc. Only libraries are eligible and the rate only applies to printed material.
Why is the Library Book Rate important?
According to the 2002 Study of the Library Book Rate, prepared for Heritage Canada, over 90% of public libraries and over 60% of academic libraries use the book rate to deliver over 3 million packages annually. Canada Post estimates that the cost of the program is now about $13 million a year, but the cost of the loss of this discount for libraries and their users is incalculable.
The average LBR postal charge is about $0.95, which includes the return postage for the library book. If the Library Book Rate is discontinued, it could cost as much as $14 to mail each book. In 2003 the Palliser region lent 5,200 books to other regions and provinces. We borrowed another 2,600 titles from outside our system. Thanks to the Library Book Rate and the presence of SPMC and courier systems in 4 other regions, we spent only $2,200 on postage for interlibrary loans. Should we have had to pay the regular parcel rate, even one way, we would have spent $56,000 in postage in 2003. Such a sudden and massive increase in cost would be devastating to libraries. In effect, the loss of the Library Book Rate would mean that many libraries would not be able to afford to take part in inter-library loan programs because the cost of postage would eat up the majority of their budgets.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) promotes equal access to information by allowing the country-wide library network of more than 22,000 locations to share resources. This means that all Canadians have access to the best information libraries have to offer
- regardless of their physical ability. Many Canadians are unable to leave their homes easily because of physical disabilities. This is increasingly true as Canada’s population ages. The Library Book Rate helps bring material to them.
- regardless of their geographic location. Canadians living in rural or remote areas, including Canada’s North, can get books delivered to their community, thanks to the Library Book Rate.
- regardless of their language preference or culture. Linguistic minorities, especially those living outside of big cities and communities, may not have access to reading material and cultural material in the language of their choice. Thanks to the Library Book Rate, they can get material from across the country if they need it.
- regardless of their financial status.
What can you do to help?
The Library Book Rate has been renewed until January 1, 2009, pending review. However, we need your support and letters. We need you to write your MPs; write to Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women; and write to Lawrence Cannon, the minister in charge of Canada Post. Tell them why the Library Book Rate is important to you and what you use it for – to get information, for recreational reading, to give you access to the same types of materials that you can get in the big cities. They simply do not understand that there are no Chapters, Indigo or McNally-Robinson book stores outside the big cities, and that many people in rural communities depend on Interlibrary Loan.
The Honourable Beverley J. Oda
Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
E-Mail: Oda.B@parl.gc.ca
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
E-Mail: Cannon.L@parl.gc.ca
Contact your MP
Palliser Regional Library covers sections of 5 different ridings:
Palliser
Dave Batters
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Email: Batters.D@parl.gc.ca
Blackstrap
Lynne Yelich
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Email: Yelich.L@parl.gc.ca
Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre
Tom Lukiwski
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Email: Lukiwski.T@parl.gc.ca
Souris-Moose Mountain
Ed Komarnicki
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Email: Komarnicki.E@parl.gc.ca
Cypress Hills-Grasslands
David L. Anderson
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Email: Anderson.Da@parl.gc.ca
Not sure who your MP is? Find out.