If your library offered the TD Summer Reading Club in 2009, be sure to send in your submission for the TD Summer Reading Club Library Awards by November 15th!

Two awards will be given to the most innovative TD Summer Reading Club programs in English and in French.  A panel of judges will evaluate all entries for their effective outreach strategies and creative program implementation.

First prize winners will also have their expenses paid to attend the TD Summer Reading Club Library Awards Presentations at the Canadian Library Association Conference 2010 in Edmonton, AB.

Visit the program website at www.td-club-td.ca and

print the application form.  Send the completed form with a description of your program and supporting materials by mail or courier to:

Library and Archives Canada

TD Summer Reading Club Library Awards

395 Wellington Street, Room 196

Ottawa, ON  K1A 0N4

From the Winnipeg Free Press, November 10:

"Winnipeg hopes to save $160,000 by contracting out library-book cataloguing, processing and shelving services, says the city’s largest union.

City council’s executive policy committee held a meeting with the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500 this afternoon to discuss the replacement of seven city workers with a library-services company located outside the city, CUPE 500 president Mike Davidson said."

Go to the full article.

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 31^st 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.

Canada Post Not On Side

The 2008 strategic review of the Canada Post Corporation suggested that the Library Book Rate was not a part of the Universal Service Obligations (mandate) of Canada Post. The Advisory Panel stated that libraries should pay commercial shipping rates on a per-volume basis rather than the current greatly reduced shipping rate.

Bill C-322 to the Rescue!

Merv Tweed, Member of Parliament currently has a Private Members (Bill – C-322) that advocates for an economically viable shipping rate for libraries, extends the definition of eligible materials under this program, and assigns responsibility for governance of this program to a federal government department. 

In addition to supporting Bill C-322, the 2009 Library Book Rate campaign advocates for the inclusion of the Library Book Rate in the Canada Post Universal Service Obligations/Mandate with a change to the Canada Post Corporation Act thus making the Library Book Rate recognized in law.

Act now – here’s how!

You have a chance to tell Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other government officials 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.

We have included letters for you to print and send to Prime Minister Harper, Minister John Baird (Transportation), Minister James Moore (Heritage), a generic letter to your MP and/or Senator and a letter of support to House of Commons Member for Brandon-Souris, Merv Tweed, the sponsor of Private Members Bill (C-322). 

Please note, the letter to Prime Minister Harper is a printable, addressed mailer.  Remember to print/copy both sides.

The address for your MP can be found here:  http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/MainMPsCompleteList.aspx?TimePeriod=Current&Language=E

A list of Canada’s Senators is found here:  http://www.parl.gc.ca/common/senmemb/senate/isenator.asp?Language=E

Mail to any Senator can be sent to the following address: 

The Senate of Canada,
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1A 0A4

Postage is free to all government addresses.

Letters to download:

The Manitoba Libraries Conference Program Committee is pleased to invite members of the library, archives, museum, records management, and educational communities to submit proposals for the Manitoba Libraries Conference, May 17 – 19, 2010 at the Delta Winnipeg Hotel. The Conference theme this year is The Power of Many - The Power of Partnerships. The Program Committee seeks proposals for sessions showcasing your ideas, research, and library initiatives. Proposals for pre-conference full or half day sessions are also welcome. Proposals that appeal to the cross-section of attendees are encouraged, however, all proposals will be reviewed and considered by the Program Committee. Recommendations for speakers or topics will also be considered.

Proposals must be submitted electronically using the online submission form. The submission deadline is December 4, 2009.

http://www.manitobalibrariesconference.ca/call-for-proposals

President Barack Obama has proclaimed October 2009 as National Information Literacy Awareness Month. From the proclamation:

"This month, we dedicate ourselves to increasing information literacy awareness so that all citizens understand its vital importance. An informed and educated citizenry is essential to the functioning of our modern democratic society, and I encourage educational and community institutions across the country to help Americans find and evaluate the information they seek, in all its forms."