****Begin File******************Begin File*******************Begin File**** *************************************************************************** ISSN 1069-7799 ALAWON ALA Washington Office Newsline An electronic publication of the American Library Association Washington Office Volume 3, Number 71 December 1, 1994 In this issue: (106 lines) POSTAL RATE COMMISSION ADJUSTS LIBRARY RATE ONLY SLIGHTLY *************************************************************************** POSTAL RATE COMMISSION ADJUSTS LIBRARY RATE ONLY SLIGHTLY The Postal Rate Commission, in its November 30 recommendation regarding postal rates, adjusted downward very slightly the 73.7 percent increase in the library rate requested by the U.S. Postal Service. The PRC press release contains the following two paragraphs about the fourth-class library rate: In certain special categories of mail whose rates are largely dictated by statute, the Commission also made a few changes from Postal Service recommendations. Most notable was the rate increase for library material, which the Commission lowered to 69.9 percent from the Service's proposed 73.7 percent. Cost and revenue data dictated the large library rate increase. The Commission noted that during its hearings significant questions were raised about the Postal Service's data sampling and collection processes, and it urged the Service to re-examine its statistical data systems and file immediately for a modification in library rates if new data so warranted. The statement of PRC Chairman Edward J. Gleiman contained a bit more detail on the library rate. Gleiman said: The Commission's review of the Service's library rate numbers did not uncover a major flaw in cost or revenue data provided in this area. The Commission recommends a slightly smaller increase (69.9 percent) to reflect corrected cost allocations. However, in light of the fact that significant questions have been raised generally about the Service's data sampling and collection systems, the Commission urges the Service to reexamine its library cost data and file immediately for a modification to correct rates that may be based on faulty information. A typical 3-lb. library rate package would increase from the current $1.14 to $1.96 instead of $1.98 as proposed by USPS. The 69.9 percent increase quoted by the PRC applies only to a one-pound package. For packages of ten pounds and above, the new PRC-recommended rate is slightly higher than the Postal Service requested. This result is due to the fact that the new library rate schedule is adjusted slightly downward for the first pound, the same as the USPS request for the second through seventh pounds, but higher for each pound over seven pounds. 4th-Class Library Rate Current USPS PRC Rate Request Recommendation First Pound $.66 $1.14 $1.12 Each add'l lb. through 7 lbs. .24 .42 .42 Each add'l lb. over 7 lbs. .12 .21 .22 On other rates, the first class stamp will increase from $.29 to $.32 as requested by the Postal Service. Post cards would go up one cent to $.20 instead of two cents as requested by USPS. Second-class nonprofit rates will increase by an average of 19.3 percent. Publications with less than 10 percent advertising will increase about 23 percent. Second class classroom materials will decrease by -4.3 percent rather than -8.1 percent. Third-class bulk rate nonprofit mail will increase by 3.9 percent rather than the requested 1.6 percent. However, this is not an across-the-board increase as USPS had proposed; some discounts are adjusted. The PRC's recommended decision now goes to the USPS Board of Governors for final approval. The Governors will act within the next few weeks and will set the date for implementation of the new rates--expected to be January 1. *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** ALAWON (ISSN 1069-7799) is an irregular publication of the American Library Association Washington Office, 110 Maryland Avenue, N.E., Washington, DC 20002-5675. Internet: alawash@alawash.org; Phone: (202) 547-4440; Fax: (202) 547-7363. Contributing to this issue: Carol C. Henderson, ALA-WO Executive Director; Editor: Lynne E. Bradley (leb@alawash.org). ALAWON is available free of charge and is available only in electronic form. To subscribe, send the message "subscribe ala-wo [your name]" to listserv@uicvm (Bitnet) or listserv@uicvm.uic.edu (Internet). Back issues and other documents are available from the list server. To find out what's available, send the message "send ala-wo filelist" to the listserv. The ALA- WO filelist contains the list of files with the exact filename and filetype. To get a particular file, issue the command "send filename filetype" to the listserv. Do not include the quotes in your commands. All materials in the newsletter subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be reprinted or redistributed for noncommercial purposes with appropriate credits. For other reprinting or redistribution, address requests to the ALA Washington Office (alawash@alawash.org). *************************************************************************** ***End of file******************End of file******************End of file***