The second issue we would like to discuss is the library book rate, a Canada Post service that, since 1939, has provided a reduced rate for mailing library books both between libraries and from libraries to their users. With over 2,000 libraries actively using the library book rate and more than one million Canadians benefiting from it annually, the library book rate is an indispensable part of the service delivered by Canada's libraries. This rate supports and encourages the sharing of taxpayer-funded library books in Canada. At relatively little cost, it acts as a bridge among all Canadians, including the disabled, shut-ins, and residents in remote locations. It is also a way of creating a more literate and informed population.
The library book rate is not a government program and is not currently financially supported by the federal government; therefore, librarians in all constituencies continue to be concerned about its sustainability. Currently decisions for renewal of the rate are made by Canada Post on an annual basis. If this program were to be discontinued, it would severely reduce access to books for people living in rural and remote parts of Canada and it would deprive the rest of the country from being able to access the unique information resources often preserved in local libraries.
Finally, I would like to highlight the urgent need to enhance library services for Canadians with print disabilities. According to Statistics Canada's 1991 Health and Activity Limitation Survey—this is the most recent data available on this topic—three million Canadians are unable to read print, and this group has access to less than 5% of all public library material in alternate formats, such as Braille or audio books.
While the library community welcomes the alternate format library services provided through Canada Post and allowances through Canadian copyright legislation for alternate format producers, Canada still remains the only G-8 country that does not provide annual support for the production of alternate format library materials.
In 2005 a landmark CLA report entitled Opening the Book was produced. This report outlines how the current fragmented resources serving Canadians with print disabilities could be organized into an efficient and equitable nationwide library network. We acknowledge the Government of Canada for its support, through Library and Archives Canada, of the initiative for equitable library access, but there is still much more work to be done to realize the vision for accessible services, as outlined in the “Opening the Book” report.