Drawing on the expertise of 29 volunteer industry professionals
Base-line data on the decline in awareness and reading of Canadian-authored books
New data on the presence of Canadian books in Canada
Bringing together 40 years of Canadian research documents
Key report findings
Canadian-authored books now represent just 15% of book purchases
Independent Canadian publishers’ sales down by 44% over the last 10 years
Canadians want to read Canadian authored books – but can’t easily find them
Public libraries support Canadian writers – but can’t measure how well they’re doing
Key report recommendations
Policies and programs for 50 new independent bookstores across the country in 5 years
Support for independent bookstores as key community cultural spaces
Large-scale expansionof successful childrens/teen “Tree Award” programs to get more kids in schools reading more Canadian books
Matching funding for public libraries to double their buying of new Canadian-authored books
Policies and programs to support public libraries as champions of Canadian authors and Canadian books
New publisher initiatives to identify Canadian-authored books
Multiple measures to upgrade digital infrastructures all across the book trade to give Canadian books greater visibility and to give Canadian readers better access
A “Store within a store” initiative in university bookstores to give students and professors better access to Canadian trade and scholarly books
New focus on Canadian writers on CBC Radio and CBC Digital, giving audiences access to a wider range of Canadian voices, stories and opinions
In all, 76 detailed recommendations for everyone involved in book writing, publishing, access and awareness – because today, Canada needs more Canada!
