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Introduction When you ask Canadians what the public library means to them, you get an astonishing variety of answers. For some it is the place to find essential career or job search information; or the place that welcomes literacy learners and tutors; or the place to find information for homework assignments or about pressing legal, medical or financial needs; or the place for children to start their lifelong learning association with the library, or to connect to the Internet, or to find books to borrow and enjoy. Frequently overlooked, however, in the consideration of the 'value' of a public library are the economic benefits it provides to its own community; to the businesses that supply services to the library; to the retailers, wholesalers and publishers who sell to libraries; and to the national economy by the active promotion and support given to literacy and literacy based programs, and indeed, to Canadian culture. This document is intended to serve as a nation-wide reference tool for those advocating and planning for the continuation of strong library services, including library managers and staff, for library boards and town councils, for publishers and retailers and for provincial and national government officials. It outlines the many areas in which public libraries play a vital role in Canada, and also notes where reductions in library funding will be detrimental to suppliers, publishers, retailers, local businesses and governments, and thus to all Canadians. The acquisition and delivery of public library services contribute profound social and economic dividends. These dividends are not limited to library users; nor to the businesses, industries, trades and professions that supply libraries; nor are the benefits limited to the local economy, the national cultural industry sector, or to Canadian culture and our democratic society; nor to literacy, children, students and lifelong learners. Each of these community of interests is served by Canadian public libraries. In order to continue to do so, stable funding is required. |
