The Library Book Rate began in 1939 as a partnership between the Federal Government, Canada Post, and Canadian libraries. In 2005 it was discontinued as an official government program. Through the lobbying efforts of libraries and library organizations across Canada, Canada Post has provided year-to-year extensions. The current extension is due to expire December 31st 2009. Its future is uncertain after that date.

It is the current low cost of the Library Book Rate that enables you to borrow from libraries across Canada, making 465 million+ library resources available to you, whether you live in rural or urban Canada. Increases to, or the disappearance of the Library Book Rate could increase costs by 24 times for libraries and greatly reduce your access to information, knowledge, and library services.

You have a chance to tell Prime Minister Stephen Harper that you want the Library Book Rate partnership to be part of the federal government's vision for a prosperous Canada. Now is the time to speak up for your future and your free access to information and knowledge. By completing the form below, you can send the following message in support of the Library Book Rate!

If you would rather send the Prime Minister a signed letter, please do not hesitate to use the print-version of the message, which you can send free of charge (no postage required).

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper
Prime Minister of Canada
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

Equitable access to information for all Canadians is the pillar of the knowledge-based economy of the 21st Century. Libraries play a key role in helping all Canadians, regardless of their language abilities, their financial situation, or ability to access physical libraries spaces, find the information they need to achieve their full potential, learn, innovate and contribute to Canada’s prosperity.

The Library Book Rate is a discount postal rate which has existed since 1939, thanks to a long-standing partnership between the federal government, Canada Post and Canadian libraries. In 2005 the formal agreement expired and the Library Book Rate was renewed on a per-year basis. This agreement is due to expire DECEMBER 2009 leaving libraries and Canadian’s access to information in jeopardy. As a shareholder of Canada Post and a Canadian citizen, I urge you to include the Library Book Rate partnership in the federal government’s vision for a prosperous Canada.

You have the power to ensure that the collections of all libraries remain a national asset available to all Canadians, whether we live in rural or urban Canada. Please support my access to the 465 million materials available from libraries across Canada.

Canada Post’s mandate is to provide universal postal service to each and every Canadian. The Library Book Rate should be part of that universal access to services. In the past, the federal government has shown its ongoing commitment to the Library Book Rate and what it represents to and for Canada and its citizens. By making the Library Book Rate a part of the Universal Service Obligations of Canada Post, expanding the definition of eligible library materials for this service to include all library materials, and assigning responsibility for this program to a federal government department, through the passing of Bill C-322, you will be demonstrating your commitment to these needs well into the future.

A concerned Canadian: