TORONTO (February 26, 2013) – The Toronto Public Library Board met last
night at Toronto Reference Library. A summary of key topics discussed follows.
Survey results
indicate 97% satisfaction rate with Toronto Public Library
Survey
results show that Toronto Public Library continues to be an extremely well-used
and highly valued service in Toronto. Almost three-quarters of adult
Torontonians (72%) used library services in the past year and 97% were
satisfied with the overall quality of public library service. The vast majority
of Toronto residents (92%) also indicated that public libraries are an
important resource for the community.
The
survey also identified new and growth areas for library service. E-book
borrowing is a potentially large and growing market for the library. Almost 60%
of library customers who are already reading e-books are likely to download
them from the library. Among customers who are not yet reading e-books but are
interested in doing so, 91% are likely to download e-books from the library in
the next year. The growing popularity of e-books is also reinforced by the fact
that the library’s e-content circulation surpassed one million for the first time in 2012. There is also interest and
demand for more programs and special events in library branches.
The
Strategic Counsel conducted the hybrid online/telephone survey with a random
sample of Toronto residents, as well as an in-library survey of users. A summary of survey
results
is available.
Next steps approved
for e-content advocacy
Despite significantly increased use of
and demand for e-content, public libraries face challenges both in terms of
being able to purchase content from publishers, as well as making that content
readily discoverable through their websites.
At last night’s meeting, the Board
requested that Library staff draft an outreach strategy to inform the public
about these challenges. The Board also asked the Library to prepare a report
outlining what it considers to be reasonable terms for publishers to sell
e-content to libraries.
Toronto Public Library strategic plan activities approved
The Board approved a plan that outlines
activities the Library will undertake in 2013 to achieve goals outlined in its
strategic plan. The strategic plan focuses on four
priority areas: Grow a City of Readers; Develop a City of Learners; Catalyze
and Connect a City of Innovators, Entrepreneurs and Creators; and Deliver
Excellent Library Service Efficiently and Effectively.
2013 activities include:
- Increasing the number of e-titles
and boosting e-content circulation by 100%
- Promoting family literacy activities
including the launch of a unique resource guide to support preschool children
and their families in developing early literacy skills
- Enhancing support for children in
the middle years (ages 6-12)
- Expanding access to online learning
tools and in-branch programs to support job seekers and entrepreneurs
- Maintaining focus on customer
service excellence while improving the efficiency of operations
- Implementing and evaluating new
revenue opportunities including an advertising program and an affiliate retail
program for online book sales
Toronto Public Library is the
world's busiest urban public library system. Every year, more than 18 million
people visit our branches in neighbourhoods across the city and borrow over 32
million items. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit our website at
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