The outcome of the current  federal election could affect some key issues of concern to libraries.

Among the most important is the fate of the Library book rate, which since 1939 has made interlibrary loan services affordable through reduced postal rates.

The Canadian Library Association argues that

"It is vital that the Government of Canada guarantee support for this Rate beyond 2008. Permanent funding of $5 million per year is needed in order to maintain a reduced rate of postage for library materials and support one million Canadians."

For more information, check out the CLA's 2008 Election Campaign Kit.