Urban Shocker
Doyenne
My local library acts as much as a cultural centre, with talks by authors and social events, as a traditional "bookish" environment. It's just one more place that enriches my experience of the city.
I don't recall anyone stating that the city should go from 99 branches to a 'handful' of major branches - let's not build strawmen here. Most people who are at least open to including libraries in the cost savings are talking about maybe losing a handful of branches and perhaps reduced staffing or hours at others. They're seeking a 5-10% reduction in cost, not 90%. There would still be 90+ branches - still enough to keep Toronto at the top of the list.I'm surprised that there has only been a few mentions so far in this thread of the major reason for having smaller library branches, rather than just a handful of major branches...
If all of the branches are being heavily used, why close any of them? The city is growing so, if anything, we'll need more libraries in the future to keep up with demand.
My local library acts as much as a cultural centre, with talks by authors and social events, as a traditional "bookish" environment. It's just one more place that enriches my experience of the city.
I checked a long time ago, it's quite superficial (less than what you'd get in a corporate annual report) and not sufficient to make a meaningful decision on library closure on a branch-by-branch basis.
Last week, I met Mayor Ford’s hand-picked budget chief, Councillor Mike Del Grande, to discuss our public library.
While our discussion was respectful, Councillor Del Grande’s message was unnerving.
During the meeting I presented a number of ideas on how to achieve significant cost savings in the way our library is managed and other innovations that would eliminate the need to close branches, privatize operations or cut programs and hours.
I also proposed a task force made up of library workers, managers and outside experts to develop a long-term plan to ensure the TPL maintains its world-leading status, as well as other best practice initiatives.
I am sorry to say, these reasonable suggestions fell on deaf ears.
Instead of listening, Councillor Del Grande made it clear that closure of some public library branches is still the Ford administration’s first and only choice. Ford and company seem determined to stay the course, or to at least try.
In spite of this, I believe there is reason for hope because the future of our public library will be determined by the entire City Council, not just Mayor Ford and his allies.
That’s why I am writing to ask you to send an urgent message to your own member of City Council.
Our task is to persuade a majority on Council to reject library closures, privatization and service cuts.
A number of Councillors who usually support Mayor Ford have recently broken ranks and declared they will oppose the closure of library branches. These Councillors are reflecting the views of their constituents who have sent messages by the thousands in support of our public library.
This is encouraging news but you can be sure that Mayor Ford and his supporters will be twisting arms behind closed doors in an attempt to force those Councillors back in line.
We’ve got to prevent this from happening while at the same time persuading undecided Councillors to support the TPL.
When the time comes, we need a majority of votes to support our public library.
Your Councillor, Adam Vaughan, has come out against cuts to the TPL. It’s now important to offer positive feedback from constituents, so our online action centre will present a message of thanks for you to send to Councillor Vaughan.
Budget decisions at City Hall are being made behind closed doors as I write this note. Arms are being twisted and horses traded. That’s why we need to stay vigilant. The next big decision point is September 19th when the Executive Committee will begin voting on specific cuts, including to our public library.
It’s critical that we keep up the pressure.
Yours sincerely,
Maureen O’Reilly
OurPublicLibrary.to
P.S. Next week we will be announcing an exciting new initiative to draw even greater public attention to the cause of rescuing our libraries from those who do not understand their value and importance. You will be among the first to learn of it. Hint: it involves a number of famous Toronto authors.
Considering that final decisions are a month away, the comment about "arms being twisted and horses being traded" stood out to me. I know it's not "playing nice", but the threat of closure is still the best way to leverage other savings or concessions.Arms are being twisted and horses traded. That’s why we need to stay vigilant. The next big decision point is September 19th when the Executive Committee will begin voting on specific cuts, including to our public library.
http://www.citytv.com/toronto/cityn...-re-not-cutting-libraries-mayor-rob-ford-says
No libraries to be closed, says Ford. Of course, hours will be reduced and staffing slashed, cause that's the less divisive and flashy side of things.