The Toronto Public Library Board met on April 20, 2015 at Bloor/Gladstone branch. Key topics discussed include:
Annual Performance Measures
2014 was Toronto Public Library’s busiest year (PDF) since 2005, with overall usage surpassing 100 million, a 3.6% increase over 2013. Increases in e-circulation, wireless usage, virtual visits and program attendance drove the increase.
Circulation and Collection Use Policy
The Board conducted its annual review of its Circulation and Collection Use Policy. The focus of this year’s review was to identify opportunities that support access to library collections, provide greater clarity on a range of policy items and update the policy to reflect changes in library service.
The Board-approved changes to the policy (PDF) include:
- An increase in renewals of physical items from two to three, with certain exceptions including DVDs, magazines and Best Bets. The additional renewal will mean customers can keep items for an extra loan period – 21 days for most books - as long as there are sufficient copies available.
- An increase in the maximum number of holds (requested items) at one time from 60 to 100.
- The introduction of a 12-month non-resident membership for $120.
All approved policy changes will be introduced to the public in the third quarter of 2015.
Work Plan Achievements
A report on the library’s 2014 strategic plan achievements included these highlights:
- Introduced Hoopla, digital music and video to stream or download. Toronto Public Library circulation was the highest in North America in 2014.
- Received the Minister’s Award for Innovation for Let’s Get Ready for Reading Guide, a fun and easy guide to help kids become readers.
- Offered the Entrepreneur in Residence program and delivered over 100 programs on a range of small business projects.
- Achieved a 117% increase in Book A Librarian bookings. This program offers one-on-one reference support to job seekers, students, researchers and other library users.
- Welcomed more than 2,000 participants to Thought Exchange programs, an eclectic collection of lectures and discussions across the city.
- Hosted the Mini Maker Faire, a local celebration where makers gather to show off their creations to the public, at the Toronto Reference Library, with 8,000 visits over two days.
- Launched the Asquith Press book printing service at the Toronto Reference Library.
- Introduced online fines payment.
Ebook Advocacy Update
The board received an update (PDF) on the challenges facing public libraries to make ebooks available, as well as steps Toronto Public Library has taken to advocate for improved access to ebooks.
Like other public libraries, Toronto Public Library has experienced significantly increased use and demand for ebooks and other digital content – circulation is up 4,200% from 80,500 in 2008 to 3.5 million by the end of 2014.
While there has been tremendous progress in access to content, multi-national publishers’ terms and conditions remain an obstacle.
The report details advocacy efforts within the library community – including those led by Toronto Public Library – directed toward government and publishers, as well as public engagement strategies.
Toronto Public Library is one of the world's busiest urban public library systems. Every year, 19 million people visit our branches in neighbourhoods across the city and borrow 32 million items. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131. To get the most current updates on what's happening at the library, follow us on Twitter @torontolibrary.
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Media Contact:
Ana-Maria Critchley, 416-393-7212, media@torontopubliclibrary.ca