Released September 22, 1999
Dr. Ron Chopowick was welcomed to the Board.
Dr. Maureen Rudzik, Vice Chair of the Board, announced her resignation effective as soon as a replacement has been appointed. The Board thanked and commended her for her contributions.
1999 Operating Monitoring Report - August 31, 1999
The report indicates that the Library is on target with its overall budget.
2000 - 2004 Capital Budget
The Board received the guidelines and timetable for the 2000 - 2004 Capital Budget Report and the Ten Year Capital Plan. In November, following a review by the City's Budget Office and Budget Advisory Committee, the Library will be advised on expenditure limits. A special meeting of the Board may be required at that time to review its plan against allowed expenditures.
TPL Board Meetings - Location
The Toronto Reference Library was approved as the permanent meeting location for the Board, and staff were instructed to mail Board agendas and accompanying reports to all Councillors in future.
Reinvesting In Our Future: The Toronto Public Library Branch Planning Study
The Board received the report and directed staff to proceed with community consultations for Phase 1 involving its three smallest branches: Swansea Memorial, Niagara and the Todmorden Room. Staff were also asked to explore service alternatives as part of the consultation process and to report back to the Board in January 2000. Staff were directed to proceed with further community consultations related to proposed changes in Phase 2 (next 5 years), and Phase 3 (next 10 years) of the report and to report to the Board when appropriate. Deputations were made by Councillors Miller and Walker and four concerned citizens from the Swansea Community.
Service Harmonization Initiative: Expansion of Sunday Service
Subject to the approval of the 2000 operating budget, the Board approved the extension of Sunday service at the Research and Reference Libraries and District Libraries to 37 Sundays, and expansion of Sunday service to eight Neighbourhood Libraries, to mirror the school year.
Circulation (including Fees and Fines) Policy
Approval was given for revisions of the Circulation Policy to become effective in December 1999. Highlights include:
- Change in the eligibility criteria to allow borrowing privileges free of charge to immediate family members of Toronto property owners who may reside, work or attend school outside of Toronto.
- Stacks retrieval added to customer categories to accommodate in-library use of materials by non-residents from the Library's closed stacks.
- Provision for purging of unrecoverable damaged/lost items, fees and fines on a scheduled basis.
- Provision for release of personal information in extraordinary circumstances corresponding to City practice.
Harmonization of Room Rental Policies and Fees
The Auditorium, Meeting Room and Theatre Rental Policy and proposed fee structure were approved for implementation in January 2000, subject to further review when other City departments set rental rates for comparable facilities. A communications plan will be initiated immediately to alert clients of upcoming changes.
Staff Recognition Program
A program to recognize retiring and long-service staff was approved by the Board. This program includes a special afternoon event for retiring employees and those with anniversaries of 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service. Staff were also instructed to investigate gift options for long-service staff.
Next Meeting: October 18, 1999