Message from the Chair of the PLR Commission

February 15, 2025

The Accordions

I am the daughter of a librarian. My mother would have corrected me right away—her title was actually “library technician”—but that’s so much less poetic. And so, since childhood, I’ve had an almost familial tie with the quiet and infinite world of libraries. I see libraries as accordions. They may seem limited at first glance, but then they unfold seemingly forever, offering up all the words, ideas and beauty they contain. In these uncertain times, libraries offer much more than books: they are sanctuaries—and, at times, vital ones—for bodies and minds both.

The Public Lending Right Program lives at the most beautiful crossroads you can imagine, that where book lovers, disseminators and writers meet. It honours the creativity of authors, confirms the value of their work for all readers and recognizes the relationship between them. The Public Lending Right is the embodiment of a solidarity built by books, regardless of geographic, social or economic divides. Authors from Canada can boast that they write for everyone, because libraries are open to everyone.

That’s why, in this crucial year for our communities, I invite you to come together and celebrate the Program, which is the envy of many countries. Speak with young authors in your circles that may not yet be aware of it. Tell your readership about it when you are asked if borrowing your books from libraries impacts your income. Broach the topic with your friends and family when you buy them drinks with your newly cashed cheque. Talk about it on social media, if only to explain why you love February so much.

The children of librarians learn to love the smell of books, appreciate the hushed voices that can be heard among the shelves and live in imaginary worlds. Some of them might even inherit the methodical and organized qualities of their cataloguing specialist parents—though that was not the case for me! Rather, I suffer from what I like to call ‘administrative phobia.’ I don’t like opening mail from the bank, I don’t like filling out forms, and I procrastinate when I have to open another type of ‘accordion,’ the filing cabinet I use for tax season. One could conclude that I am essentially a ‘poorly shod shoemaker’—I have not yet signed up for direct deposit. But that’s about to change. To everyone in my position, I say: let’s do it together, right now. It only takes a few minutes to save thousands on payments and greatly simplify the work of the program’s amazing team, who I want to thank for its support and warm welcome. I also want to acknowledge Mélikah Abdelmoumen, who left her position as vice-chair last June, and Russell Wangersky, whose proverbial large chair I now occupy; for eight years, both of them invested time and intelligence to support this program we can all be proud of. It is an honour for me to serve our community as chair of the Public Lending Right Commission.

I wish all of you inspiration, strength and solidarity for this new year.