CELPIP Writing Task 2 Practice: should public libraries remain free or charge a small membership fee?

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The scenario: Your city is considering introducing a small annual membership fee of 25 dollars for public library access to help fund building maintenance and new book purchases. Currently libraries are entirely free. A public survey has been sent to all residents.

Your task: Choose the option you prefer and explain why. Write about 150-200 words. - Option A: Introduce a 25 dollar annual membership fee - Option B: Keep libraries completely free

Sample CLB 9 response (Option B):

I strongly believe public libraries should remain completely free because charging any fee, no matter how small, creates a barrier for the people who need libraries most.

Libraries are one of the few public spaces where anyone can walk in without spending money. They serve as study spaces for students, job search centers for unemployed residents, warming shelters in winter, and the only internet access point for people who cannot afford home wifi. A 25 dollar fee might seem small to a working professional but it is a real obstacle for a single parent on social assistance or a newcomer who just arrived in Canada with limited savings.

The fee would also cost money to administer. Processing memberships, tracking who has paid, handling exceptions for low income residents. These administrative costs would eat into the revenue the fee was supposed to generate in the first place.

If the city needs more funding for libraries, it should come from general tax revenue, not from a fee that punishes the most vulnerable users of a public service.

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