The definitive policy overview of the book publishing industry in Canada

In a thorough exploration of Canada’s book industry, Ultra Libris provides a historical backdrop to understand modern events in book publishing. From the Massey Commission (1952) and the Ontario Royal Commission on Book Publishing (1971–72) to the explosion of national book publishing in the 1970s and the industry-government sparring over the next 30 years, Lorimer elucidates the necessary conditions for Canadian authors to thrive and for book publishers to contribute to Canadian culture.

While industry and government policy both focused on national survival in the face of globalization in the period from 1970 t ’90, Ultra Libris documents how, beginning in the mid-’90s, Ontario established an emphasis on financial stability for the cultural sector accompanied by stimulants to encourage vigorous participation in domestic and international markets. Coincident with that came an embrace of technology as both a business catalyst and transformative medium for creative expression, which held the potential to change the nature of book publishing and human understanding. In these contexts — technology and a growing creative economy — Ultra Libris concludes with a discourse on the future of books and book publishing in Canada and the world.

Rowland Lorimer is editor of the Canadian Journal of Communication and director of the Master of Publishing Program at Simon Fraser University.

Ruth J. Patrick is university librarian at the University of British Columbia.

John H.V. Gilbert is professor and coordinator of Health Sciences, University of British Columbia.

Rowland Lorimer's profile page