From the meeting of the Toronto Public Library Board on Monday, January 24, 2000
Released , January 25, 2000
Elections
Richard Goldsmith was re-elected as Chair of the Board, and Gillian Mason was elected as Vice-Chair.
Energy Management Program
The Toronto Public Library has committed to participate in an energy and facility improvement program through the Better Buildings Partnership in order to achieve not only better building service and conditions, but also substantial cost savings.
2000 - 2004 Capital Program - Status Report
The City Librarian updated the Board on the Library's capital budget which will go before City Council on January 27, 2000.
'Young Voices from the Street' - Toronto Public Library Publication - Report to Community Services Committee
The 1999 publication Young Voices from the Street is the first Toronto Public Library initiative that actively sought the participation of youth living on the street and in shelters in the City of Toronto. Through the project the Library was able to:
(1) Show street youth that their voices were being heard;
(2) Increase the Toronto Public Library's profile with youth in the city, and to increase general awareness of the Library;
(3) Create a publication that would be of interest to all teens, including teens living on the street; and
(4) Provide new opportunities for youth.
Strategic Planning Process - Update
The Director, Service Planning and Support, updated the Board on the status of the strategic planning process. She outlined the content of the Board Reference Group meetings and the activities of the various strategy teams. She also referred to the upcoming public meetings and focus groups.
Ontario Library Association Awards and Super Conference
The Board was given information on this upcoming conference. It was noted that Ken Setterington, Toronto Public Library's Children and Youth Advocate for Library Services, will receive the 2000 W.J. Robertson Medallion. The award is presented by the Ontario Library Trustees? Association to a public librarian who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the advancement of public library service in Ontario. The Toronto Public Library will also receive the 2000 Les Fowlie Intellectual Freedom Award for the Young Voices from the Street project. In addition, Young Voices from the Street has been nominated for the provincial Ministers Award for Innovation which recognizes new ideas in public library service. The awards will be presented at the Public Library Awards Luncheon at the Super Conference on Saturday,
February 5, 2000.
2000 Operating Plan - Initiatives Addressing Youth Violence
A report from the Children and Youth Action Committee (CYAC) entitled Follow-up on Initiatives Addressing Youth Violence arising out of the Mayor's Task Force on Youth Gangs was presented to the Board. The Library's initiatives for this program include Young Voices - Speaking Out in Toronto, a publication based on the model of Young Voices and Young Voices from the Street. In order to implement the Library's initiatives, the Board approved a recommendation to the Budget Advisory Committee to add $70,000 to the Library Boards 2000 Operating Budget.
Next Meeting: April 17, 2000