Summary of Library Board Decisions
TORONTO (Tuesday, November 22, 2011) – The Toronto Public Library Board met last night and recommended maintaining library operating hours. The following decisions were made:
Operating Budget
The Board recommended maintaining branch open hours at their current levels, and asked City Librarian Jane Pyper to report back at the next meeting of the Board on December 12 with revenue generating and cost saving ideas that will assist the library in meeting its 10% reduction target. The Board asked that these recommendations include adjustments to the library’s service delivery model of up to 60 FTEs (full time equivalent staff positions). The Board had previously adopted the recommended service efficiencies and additional revenue opportunities, which equal $9.72 million of savings, or 5.7% of the 10% City target reductions. The Board deferred a decision on the further $7.327 million reductions to achieve the total 10% reduction target until the December 12 Board meeting.
A motion was passed to request that the Toronto Public Library Foundation help fund the library’s collection budget, and another motion requested that library staff consider shared services such as finance and human resources with the City.
Room Rental Fee Increase
The Board passed a new room rental policy and fee increase for public rentals of library auditoriums, theatres and meeting rooms, which will be implemented in the first quarter of 2012, with the theatre rate increase being phased over three years in three equal steps. The new fees will apply to all new bookings placed after the new fee rates take effect.
Strategic Plan 2012 - 2015
The Board approved a structure, process and timeline to create a new strategic plan for Toronto Public Library for the years 2012 - 2015; 2011 is the final year of the current strategic plan Our Shared Stories: Writing the Future of Toronto’s Library 2008
- 2011. A new strategic plan will establish service priorities for the next four years and fulfill the Board’s legislated mandate “to provide a comprehensive and efficient public library service that reflects the community’s unique needs.”
For more information about the Toronto Public Library Board, visit https://tpl.ca/about-the-library/board/, opens a new window
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 more than 32 million items. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit our website at torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131.
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Media Contact:
Anne Marie Aikins 416-393-7212