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Archiver > ONTARIO > 2005-07 > 1120779891


From: Rosemary Jorgenson <>
Subject: Re: [ONT] INTER-LIBRARY LOAN AT RISK IN CANADA
Date: Thu, 07 Jul 2005 19:45:53 -0400
References: <42CCA118.D716C5C@mb.sympatico.ca>


One comment I think is worth making is that the special "book rate" is not just enjoyed by the Libraries or the inter-library loan program. It is used by all the book publishers when sending books out to schools, businesses (such as law firms and perhaps book stores) and every other purchaser. Those folks can also return books using this special rate and so often will get books to review prior to purchasing. Now, I'm sure that the book publishers will scream blue murder at this suggestion but perhaps there should be a distinction drawn between the retail book traffic and the sharing of books for the "greater public good" that libraries do. A two-tiered rate so that you would have to qualify for the really cheap fees. That way, Canada Post can better cover their costs by having the segment of the market that can surely afford to pay the realistic rate do so and perhaps subsidize the libraries while they are at it. Somebody somewhere has to cover these costs (books are h!
eavy and costly to transport) so giving a windfall savings to those who can afford to pay seems a little dimwitted to me. Just a thought.
Rosemary


----- Original Message -----
From: ann ritchie
To:
Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2005 11:27 PM
Subject: [ONT] INTER-LIBRARY LOAN AT RISK IN CANADA


Just when the problem with the release of the 1911 census has been
resolved, another seems to rearing its ugly head.

Canada Post is in the process of preparing its new budget to take effect
March 1, 2006, One of the changes is that libraries will no longer have
a special postal rate to ship materials by mail on inter-library loan.
The example given to me was a 4" x 7" x 3/4" paperback book which can
currently go out on inter-library loan at a cost of 87 cents, effective
March 1, 2006 will cost $7.44.

There will be very few libraries that will be able to absorb this large
increase. My local library has already decided that there will be no
inter-library loan available once the new rate comes into effect. They
cannot afford the extra cost.

Lack of inter-library loan will not only affect those of us doing
genealogy but also students, researchers, and every person who simply
wishes to read a book that is not available at their local library.
This is supposed to be the information age, but not every library has
all needed information, not everything is available on the internet and
not every home as a personal computer. Everyone will be affected
regardless of whether they live in a rural area or in a major city.

Once again it is necessary to email our members of parliament, the Prime
Minister, Paul Martin, the minister responsible for Canada Post, John
McCallum, the minister for Canadian Heritage, Liza Frulla and your local
federal member of parliament. In this case, because most libraries also
receive funding from the provinces and city and municipal governments,
they should also be contacted.

Canada Post will finalize their budget on Sept. 1, 2005, so there is
some urgency in showing how much opposition there is to this increase.
They would probably be happier if this proposed change did not become
public knowledge, until they can say it to late for them to do anything,
so send your letters and e-mails as soon as possible. A letter to the
editor of your local newspaper might also bring this to the attention of
more people

Please pass this information on to any person or group you feel will be
affected. Sometimes it takes a lot of voices to make them hear.

E-mail addresses for Paul Martin: or
John McCallum:
Liza Frulla:
or

The addresses for your other federal members of parliament can be found
at:
http://canadaonline.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=canadaonline&zu=http%3A%2F%22

Fwww.parl.gc.ca%2Finformation%2Fabout%2Fpeople%2Fhouse%2Fmpscur.asp%3Flang%3DE

One long URL, will require select, copy and paste.
Click on the name of the member and on the next screen on "Contact
Information"

A. Ritchie



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