TORONTO (Tuesday, October 18, 2011) – At its October 17 meeting, the Toronto Public Library Board elected by acclamation Councillor Paul Ainslie to the position of Board Chair. Councillor Ainslie has been a member of the Board since December 2006.

“I’m looking forward to my new role on the Board. It’s an important time for our city’s libraries as we decide how best to maintain the important services the library delivers while meeting the City’s budget requirements,” said Ainslie. “Like so many Torontonians, including my fellow Board members, I recognize the vital role our libraries play in our City and am committed to ensuring that our libraries continue to meet the needs of our city’s residents.”

Paul Ainslie is Councillor for Ward 43, Scarborough East. He has worked for all three levels of government over the past 12 years and has also been involved in a number of community organizations including the Boy Scouts of Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Knights of Columbus, and the Friends of Fort York. Councillor Ainslie’s library roots run deep - his first job was as a page in the Morningside branch of the former Scarborough Public Library system.

Michael Foderick was elected Vice Chair of the Toronto Public Library Board. Michael has been an active volunteer, community leader, and advocate for most of his life. He has served as president & co-chair of Parkdale Community Legal Services, one of Canada's oldest and largest legal aid clinics, and has also worked for several years as executive assistant to a Toronto City Councillor, helping to create many well-known City of Toronto programs and bylaws.

Foderick is one of eight new citizen members recently welcomed to the Toronto Public Library Board. The board consists of 13 members:

Councillor Paul Ainslie (Chair)                                   Councillor Cesar Palacio

Michael Foderick (Vice Chair)                                  Mr. Ross Parry

Councillor Sarah Doucette (Mayor’s designate)       Councillor Jaye Robinson

Councillor Janet Davis                                              Mr. Kenneth Stewart

Mr. Stephen Dulmage                                               Mr. Benjamin Wulffhart

Ms. Kim Korinek                                                        Ms. Andrea Zammit

Mr. Cameron Mackay

The Board generally meets at the Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street, on the third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. Agendas and related materials are available online.

Toronto Public Library is the world's busiest urban public library system. Every year, more than 18 million people visit branches in neighbourhoods across the city and borrow more than 32 million items. As cornerstones of their neighbourhoods, our libraries connect people to each other and to their community, inspiring the spirit of exploration, the joy of reading and the pursuit of knowledge for people of all ages and backgrounds. To learn more, please visit www.torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131.

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Media Contact:

Anne Marie Aikins, Manager, Community Relations, 416-393-7212 aaikins@torontopubliclibrary.ca