Postal Service Seeks
4.5% Library-Rate Increase
New postal rates proposed by the U.S. Postal Service January 12 include a 4.5% increase in the library rate that would boost the cost of mailing a one-pound package by 7 cents to $1.20. A three-pound package would cost $2.10, up from $2.03. The rates would take effect in 2001.
The Postal Rate Commission will conduct hearings on the proposed increases before ruling on them. Mary Costabile of ALA’s Washington Office said she expected the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers, a coalition that includes ALA, to challenge the rates at that time.
Costabile pointed out that a study conducted by ALA last July showed that the library rate had increased by 78% over the previous five years; during that period the Consumer Price Index only went up 10%.
When the Postal Service asked for a rate increase in 1997, ALA challenged the request, which would have made the nonprofit library rate higher than the commercial book rate. The Board of Governors subsequently approved a more modest hike.
Posted January 17, 2000.
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