• All items must be shipped at Library Materials Rate, via the Library Shipping Tool. Library Materials Rate labels are created using the Library Materials Shipping Tool (LMST).
• Lender must pay. The Shipping Tool is designed that way for ALL of Canada
  • Fill in the appropriate fields in the tool, including weight and dimensions
  • Print label and affix to parcel
  • Drop off at a post office or in a street letter box

The Canada Post Library Materials Rate Manual does not specify number of items per parcel. It says: “Each shipment must contain only one return label and the label must be used for the return of the original shipment “.  Mailing multiple items per parcel (average is 2-3) should be fine providing you don’t exceed the maximum weight (5kg) and dimensions.

Keep in mind when mailing more than one item in a package, that the borrowing library may need to return some items later and will have to hold on to all items in that shipment in order to use the ONE Return Label provided.

You can let the borrowing library know that you plan to send multiple items with one shipping label by using the Send Public Note action on the RS4G request.

There is no assurance that Canada Post will maintain the current materials rate. Canada Post normally increases rates by a weighted average of 5% each year.

Canada Post offers pickups for a fee, both scheduled and on-demand.  This service is not available everywhere -  learn more at “Request a Pickup.”  Note that free pickup is only available for scheduled pickups for businesses that spend more than $15,000 a year on shipping

OLS provides partial rebates to public libraries for delivery of interlibrary loan material through Canada Post.  The yearly rebate rate is dependent on the total volume of items shipped across the system. Payments are made in January and are based on the previous year’s volume.  The reimbursement rate in 2025 was $2.10 per loan.

No – The Library Materials Shipping tool is based on lender paying, with return postage included.  This approach is used by all Canadian libraries (public, academic, etc.) using this tool.

No, as specified in the Public Libraries Act.  Please see About the Public Libraries Act: Fees (Ontario government webpage).

The Act is silent on the issue of one library charging another to borrow materials on interlibrary loan.  Please see the Ministry’s Q & A on the Public Library Act.

But in our experience, when libraries charge other libraries for loans, their interlibrary loan service is affected, as a) libraries avoid borrowing from them b) libraries will refuse to loan to them or c) libraries will charge them for loans as well.   It will also take a lot of staff time and adminstrative effort to bill libraries.

No. The Public Libraries Act precludes libraries from charging their users for materials borrowed on interlibrary loan. Therefore, libraries are not permitted to pass any interlibrary loan fee on to their users, including the passing on of any administrative interlibrary loan fee that the lending library has charged them.