Public libraries support Canadian culture

Statistics Canada defines our national culture as a "mirror which reflects the lives, histories and identities of Canadians" (Statistics Canada, 1995, 32). Public libraries are an indispensable part of the cultural fabric, since libraries not only purchase items written, illustrated, designed and performed (and sold) by Canadians, but also make this culture available to the broadest possible spectrum of Canadians.

• 83% of the $47,467,873 in the 1994 materials budget of Canada's large urban public libraries was spent on purchasing print materials. (CALUPL Annual Statistics 1994)

• 82% of Canadians live in mixed ethno-cultural neighbourhoods. Public libraries are responding to this reality by making it a priority to offer "varied book collections and programs for a diverse clientele" (Godin, 1994, p.2)

• one researcher compiled a list of 100 Canadian novels and checked for their availability and ease of access in a number of different types of bookstores and in three public libraries. He concluded that public libraries "are clearly the most effective agency in Canada in providing a wide range of materials" (Hopkins, 1987, p.87)

• in the Northwest Territories, public libraries are at the forefront of "preserving Inuktitut as a living language" (McMahon and Fiscus, 1992, p.953) because they collect materials in syllabics, the alphabet of the Inuit.

Those involved in the production of Canadian arts and culture face many challenges, including a small domestic market in which to sell their work, and competition stemming from substantial cultural importation from the United States. The Canadian Department of Communications noted that "Most of the off-stage cultural fare that Canadians consume comes from somewhere else. Seventy-six percent of books sold in Canada are imported, 97% of theatrical screen time goes to imported films... over 90% of dramatic television presentations are non-Canadian in origin" (Canada, Department of Communications, 1987, p.11)

Public libraries that collect Canadiana and promote it through programs such as author talks and other programs are critically important to the Canadian arts and cultural production process.

• "There is a vital need in Canada to ensure that the burgeoning cultural development in the creative sense be marked by the development of healthy instruments of communication [e.g., public libraries]. Without them creativity could still take place but fewer Canadians would have access to these creations" (Canada, Department of Communications, 1987, p. 77)

• "The health of the literary community is inextricably linked to the health of public library systems." Cuts to public libraries mean "... restricted publishing programs will result in employee layoffs. Canadians will not be the ones to record our history, write poetry and literature and produce materials to educate our children" (Canadian Publishers' Council, 1996, p.1 and 5)

The existence of public libraries helps to ensure that Canadian culture continues to flourish and thrive. Indeed, the value of funding public libraries and other cultural and artistic enterprises is "linked to the project of creating a national identity and fostering a greater sense of national unity" (Boucher, 1995, p.1)