Toronto Public Library Board - December 6, 1999 Meeting Highlights
Released December 7, 1999
2000 - 2004 Capital Budget - Status Report
The Board reviewed four reports that were prepared at the request of, and for further discussion with, the City's Budget Advisory Committee. The reports provide additional information on the proposed reconstruction of Maria A. Shchuka District Library, the Toronto Public Library Branch Planning Study, the proposed Rouge Library, and renovations to the Toronto Reference Library. A date to discuss these reports with the Budget Advisory Committee has been scheduled tentatively for December 9.
A motion was passed endorsing the moving of the Urban Affairs Library to City Hall, reaffirming support for the Library's Service Delivery Model and its 17 designated district libraries, endorsing the reconstruction of the Maria A. Shchuka Library as a district library, and requesting that the City?s Budget Advisory Committee approve funding for these projects at the level recommended by the Chief Administrative Officer. Further, the Board requested that an additional $300,000 be added to the Library?s 2000 Capital Budget for renovations to the main floor of the Toronto Reference Library.
2000 Operating Plan and Budget
On October 18, 1999, the Toronto Public Library Board approved a preliminary 2000 high-level operating budget for initial review by the City. Staff have now completed the full 2000 Operating Plan and Budget that results in the gross and net budget figures shown below. The Board approved the plan and budget for submission to the City of Toronto for consideration and approval.
Gross 2000 Budget $110,426.6
Net City Request $98,471.6
The Board also instructed staff to advise the City of the $76,000 shortfall in the Provincial Grant to the Toronto Reference Library in 2000, and to request that this amount be added the Net City Request.
2000 Operating Budget Targets
In response to a directive from the City of Toronto Chief Administrative Officer to all departments, agencies, boards and commissions, the Board approved options to reduce its 2000 operating budget by five percent of the 1999 gross approved budget, in priority order.
Although over $10.0 million in reductions have been made over the past three years, it is apparent that major reductions in service would now be required to achieve the five percent target of $5,490,000. A list of the services which would be affected were presented to the Board.
The Board passed a motion requesting that the City make no further cuts to the Library's operating budget in 2000 given the major budget reductions achieved to date, noting that service cuts would be inevitable and that savings achievable through amalgamation have been made.
Supply and Maintenance of Photocopier Equipment
Following an evaluation of comprehensive bids, the Board gave consent for staff to negotiate and enter into a contract with Xerox Canada Limited for the turnkey supply and maintenance of photocopier equipment throughout the library system.
Supply of Janitorial Cleaning Services
As a result of a competitive bidding process, the Board approved the awarding of a contract to National Cleaning Contractors Ltd. to supply janitorial cleaning services to all Toronto Public Library locations.
Adult Literacy at the Toronto Public Library
The Board adopted the service direction as outlined in the Adult Literacy Services at the Toronto Public Library report as follows:
1) Circulating Collections: To be established in those branches where a need has been identified, phased-in over two years; core collections will be set up in district libraries in 2000, and in neighbourhood libraries in 2001.
2) Deposit Collections Service: To be extended to those regions where there are community-based programs with need, and where the service was not offered formerly.
3) One-on-One Service: To be extended to two high needs districts in the East Region and two high needs districts in the West Region.
4) Outreach Services: Outreach services will be maintained in the South Region and are to be introduced in other regions over time as collections are developed and staff are trained.
Holiday Closures
The Board confirmed the following 1999/2000 holiday closures:
Friday, December 24, 1999 (Christmas Eve) Library closes at 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 25, 1999 (Christmas Day) Library closed
Sunday, December 26, 1999 (Boxing Day) Library closed
Monday, December 27, 1999 Library closed
Friday, December 31, 1999 (New Year's Eve) Library closes at 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 1, 2000 (New Year's Day) Library closed
Sunday, January 2, 2000 Library closed
Monday, January 3, 2000 Library closed
Next Meeting: January 24, 2000