Library Board Meeting – January 25, 1999

Released January 26, 1999

Elections
Mr. Rick Goldsmith was elected Chair of the Board by acclamation, and Dr. Maureen Rudzik was elected Vice-Chair by acclamation.

1999 - 2003 Capital Budget
The Board received for information the 1999 - 2003 Capital Budget Report which summarizes the Capital Budget as approved by Budget Committee as of January 19, 1999.

Smart Card
The Smart Card Report was received for information. This report was presented to inform the Library Board of discussions with the City's Parks and Recreation Department regarding the use of a Smart Card, which would allow residents to access library and a variety of other City Services.

Separation Program for Management and Excluded Staff
Changes to this Separation Program have been documented in the Employee News Bulletin, which was received for information. These changes will become effective March 31, 1999.

Service Harmonization Issues - Sunday Service
The Board approved the following:

• the original proposal for harmonized Sunday service (as presented at the September 28, 1998 Board meeting). This proposal provides Sunday service at the 17 district libraries and the two Research and Reference libraries with a geographical distribution of Sunday service across the city. Each library will be open 28 Sundays for three and one-half hours (1:30 - 5:00 p.m.), starting with the first Sunday after Thanksgiving through to the Sunday prior to the Victoria Day weekend;
• advancing the provision of Sunday service in the York and Scarborough communities at a cost of $33,500. Sunday service will be extended to Cedarbrae and Agincourt in the East (Scarborough) and Maria A. Shchuka in the West (York) from March 21 to May 9, 1999;
• the extension of the Sunday season by four Sundays at North York-Central and Toronto Reference Library commencing September 1999 at a cost of approximately $23,000 each subject to budget review in June 1999;

1999 Fundraising Priorities
The Board approved a list of projects which will be reviewed by the Foundation for funding consideration. The projects included as top priority are:

• a fundraising target of up to $500,000 for collection enhancement to address the growing diversity of community needs and increases in borrower demand;
• renewed funding for Summer Reading Club for school aged children in Toronto.
• funding to expand the number of Homework Clubs and Leading to Reading Programs;approximately $44,000 for a delivery van and canvas delivery bags to support Home Library Service;
• funding for the completion of the first phase of the Virtual Reference Library (up to one million dollars) and a total of eight new VRL gateways to provide a specialized focus for information services;
• funding for additional User Education Centres (CLICS) in the District Libraries;

New projects will be identified and added to this wish list on an ongoing basis.

Next Meeting: March 22, 1999.