The Toronto Public Library Board met on November 17, 2014 at the Toronto Reference Library. Key topics discussed include:
2015 Operating Budget Submission
The Toronto Public Library Board approved a budget submission (PDF) of $171.0 million net ($187.9 million gross), which represents a $3.4 million or 2% net increase over the 2014 budget.
This budget submission includes recommended reductions to the security guard budget and increased draws from the development charges reserve to provide budget relief for collections.
The board also requested library staff to undertake a further review of potential operating budget cost savings that do not affect service levels, and report on findings at its December meeting.
The City of Toronto’s Budget Committee will review recommended 2015 budgets, followed by the City’s Executive Committee. City Council will approve budgets at the end of this process.
2015 Fundraising Priorities
The board approved 2015 fundraising priorities (PDF), which will now be presented to the Toronto Public Library Foundation for funding consideration.
Fundraising priorities reflect Toronto Public Library’s strategic plan, and include new items such as:
- Participation in National Reading Research for Youth, aimed at discovering needs of teens and libraries across Canada
- Support for After School Newcomer Hubs at Centennial and Sanderson branches, providing programming for youth in grades 7 to 10
- Development of a seniors program and outreach in support of the City of Toronto’s Seniors Strategy
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