Bill C-509 - Library
materials
What is the library book rate and how did I come to learn about
it? Since 1939, libraries in Canada have been able to exchange books
at a reduced rate, historically known as the library book rate. This
allows all libraries in Canada to access each other's inventory of
reading materials allowing libraries in smaller, rural and remote
areas to offer the same kinds of reading materials we would find
mostly in urban centres.
In the 2004 campaign I met with several communities which
expressed concern that due to economic pressures Canada Post was
considering withdrawing support for this program and returning to
charging the standard rate for shipping books.
This I contend would cause a great hardship on Canadian
libraries and by extension on the very people who are using the
library book rate program. These people tend to be rural Canadians,
Canadians who live in remote areas, including the north, who have
limited access to libraries and the books within.
Having the ability to access the inventory of major libraries
and having these books shipped to communities at a favourable rate
allows many small communities to offer a larger selection of reading
material without the huge cost of shipping to the local libraries.
It also allows Canadians living in these rural and remote areas the
same reading material without the huge personal expense of travel.
Why is the library book rate important to all Canadians? It
ensures equitable access for all Canadians to documents located in
libraries across the country. It supports the intellectual needs of
remote northern and rural communities. It is the principle
underpinning the concept that collections of all libraries are a
national asset accessible to all Canadians, and as such, supports
education and lifelong learning as well as helps to maintain
Canada's global competitiveness and productivity.
As I have gone across the country many people have asked what
would happen if the library book rate were to disappear.
Many people, myself included, believe that one, it would create
a two-tiered library service for those who can afford to pay to
access information and those who cannot. This would jeopardize the
access of Canadians to the resources of Canadian libraries necessary
to learn, innovate and prosper in the information economy of the
21st century.
Two, Canadian students, persons with disabilities and residents
of rural communities would be particularly disadvantaged as they
rely heavily on their local library's ability to share resources
with larger centres.
Three, it would severely reduce access to books for people
living in rural and remote parts of Canada.
Four, it would reduce the level of service libraries provide,
possibly forcing the program into a cost recovery basis with patrons
and distance learners having to bear the costs. Such user fees would
discourage many patrons from making mail-based borrowing requests.
Five, smaller libraries would stop providing lending services
and in turn would only borrow materials.
Six, it would deprive the rest of the country from being able to
access the unique information resources often preserved in our local
libraries.
Seven and finally, it would very, very easily deny access to
library materials for people who are homebound.
My bill proposes that before Canada Post can increase the
library book rate, it must receive the approval of the Government of
Canada. This, in my mind, ensures that Canadians' voices will be
heard on this very sensitive issue before any rate changes occur.
My bill also asks that the library book rate now include the
shipping of CDs, CD-ROMs, DVDs and other audiovisual materials. As
technology changes, so do our needs for more specific types of
reading materials. I believe that by including these materials, over
time we would actually reduce the cost to Canada Post in delivering
this very valuable community program. Imagine shipping 16 CDs to a
rural or remote community as opposed to shipping 16 books. Based on
the weight alone, the numbers speak for themselves at the savings
that could be accomplished. The cost savings over time would be
dramatic and very well may help to resolve some of the financial
pressures that Canada Post is facing. I am convinced that as
technology continues to evolve, Canadians will, and should, have
more access to all types of reading material.
Due to circumstances, I have introduced my bill three times in
this chamber over the last four years. I have been fortunate and
very pleased to receive support from all across Canada. I have
received responses from every province and every territory. I would
like to put on the record some of those comments.
An individual from Ontario, in talking about the book rate said:
|
It is the principle
which underpins the concept that the collections of all
libraries are a national asset accessible to all Canadians
and as such supports education and life-long learning and
helps to maintain Canada's global competitiveness and
productivity. |
As a side note to that, the city librarian at the Ottawa Public
Library suggested that if the library book rate were to be changed
and increased to what would be requested, it would add a $70,000
burden to that library itself. I would ask people to think about how
that would translate across the country, particularly with respect
to rural and remote libraries which rely on the city's ability to
send those books to them at a reduced rate.
The following comment came from New Brunswick:
|
The Library Book Rate
supports and encourages the sharing of taxpayer-funded
library books in Canada. At relatively little cost, it acts
as a bridge between all Canadians, including the disabled,
shut-ins, and residents in remote locations. It is also a
way of creating a more literate and knowledgeable
population, by helping, for example, students enrolled in
distance education programs or Canadians pursuing lifelong
learning goals. |
This comment came from Alberta, and speaks about the library
book rate and the addition of the audiovisual materials:
|
The addition of
audio-visual materials recognizes that people are not all
text-based learners and need access to information through a
whole host of audio-visual and digital media. |
This comment came from British Columbia and again talks about
the library book rate:
|
At relatively little
cost, it acts as a bridge between all Canadians, including
the disabled, the shut-ins, and residents in remote
locations. It is also a way of creating a more literate and
knowing population.... |
Approximately 2,000 libraries in Canada use the library book
rate. These libraries provide services to over one million users
every year. I have received petitions, as I stated earlier, from all
across Canada. I have received letters and phone calls encouraging
me to press forward in supporting the library book rate.
I believe that the library book rate is a valuable asset for all
Canadians. I believe that people in Canada have a right to have
access to the library book rate. I believe as a government and as
members of Parliament, we have a responsibility to the Canadian
public that cannot access the public services of a library to
provide an alternative way to move information and reading materials
to those communities that so desperately need the opportunity to
increase their reading and their learning.
I have learned a lot of things. I cannot say that before I got
involved in federal politics in 2004 I knew much about the library
book rate. Today, I would say differently, and today I would say
that I understand what people are trying to do. Their goals have
merit and they deserve the respect of members of Parliament. Today I
am presenting a bill on their behalf to support this wonderful
service, the library book rate. It is with those few words that I
ask my fellow members to do the same.
|
