News Releases- Toronto Public Library

Library Board Adopts Operating and Capital Budgets

No cuts required to library programs, hours or collections

TORONTO (Tuesday, January 31, 2012) – The Toronto Public Library Board met last night for the first meeting of the board for 2012. Prior to adopting both the operating and capital budgets for 2012, board members heard a presentation from the Toronto Public Library Foundation about its successes to date and plans for the future. The Foundation reported that, since its inception in 1997, they have raised over $55 million to enhance the collections, programs, services and community spaces of Toronto’s libraries.

Highlights of January 30 meeting of the Board:

2012 Library Operating Budget Adopted

The Board adopted the Council approved 2012 operating budget of $179.409 million gross funded with $164.481 million of net City funding and $14.928 million of other revenue. The approved budget includes a reduction of $10.070 million or 5.9%, as approved by the Library Board at its December 12, 2011 meeting. The funding does not require any reductions to library programs, collections, or branch hours.

2012 Library Capital Budget Approved

The Board adopted the Toronto Public Library 2012 - 2021 Capital Budget and Plan of $221.729 million gross ($152.166 million debt) approved by City Council at its January 17, 2012 meeting. The plan supports the Library’s strategy to maintain its buildings in good repair while addressing changes in service needs and introducing more efficient technological innovation such as self service equipment.

Introduction of “Idea Market” for Toronto Public Library

The Board approved a motion by library board chair, councillor Paul Ainslie to launch an “Ideas that Work” resource tool for Toronto Public Library employees to provide input and suggestions on ways to help improve library service. 

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Library Board is scheduled for February 27, 2012 at 6:00 pm at Toronto Reference Library.

Toronto Public Library is the world's busiest urban public library system. Every year, more than 19 million people visit our branches in neighbourhoods across the city and borrow over 33 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

media@torontopubliclibrary.ca  

Celebrating Black History Month at the Library

Free programs, concerts & movies at branches across the city

TORONTO (Thursday, January 26, 2012) – Toronto Public Library invites all Torontonians to celebrate Black History Month at branches across the city during February with drumming, poetry, films and music, and much more.

Program highlights this year include an educational series, Makers of Black History in Canada featuring four women of distinction, Rita Cox, The Honourable Jean Augustine, Rosemary Sadlier and Dr. Althea Prince. Fabulous free concerts are also planned with the award-winning duo, Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley performing Sugar and Gold, their blues tribute to Canada’s African Diaspora.

Toronto Public Library is partnering this year with the National Film Board of Canada to present Mighty Jerome by acclaimed filmmaker Charles Officer, who will be on hand for screenings at libraries across the city.

And there's much more! Check out these free events at branches across the city:

• Visit with CBC News Toronto host Dwight Drummond
• Screening of the Best Canadian Feature from HOT DOCS 2010, Invisible City
• Mutadi will perform Heartbeat at five locations
• Concerts with Roger Gibbs, Vernal Banton and Tsingory Dance
• Stories with J. Nichole Noel, Sandra Whiting, Phyllis Walker and Adwoa Badoe
• Poetry with Dwayne Morgan and Michael St. George.
• Drumming with Njacko Backo, Muhtadi, Mystic Drumz and Fule Badoe
• And discover the richness of Toronto Public Library’s Rita Cox Black & Caribbean Heritage Collections, located in four convenient locations across the city.  

Black History Month at Toronto Public Library is generously supported by RBC Foundation.

For more information and a complete list of all Black History Month events, pick up a Black History Month event guide and recommended reading list at any Toronto Public Library branch, call Answerline at (416) 393-7131, or check torontopubliclibrary.ca.  

Toronto Public Library is one of the world's busiest urban public library systems. Every year, more than 19 million people visit our branches in neighbourhoods across the city and borrow over 33 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

media@torontopubliclibrary.ca  

Toronto Public Library Hosts Discussion with Michael Ondaatje and Daniel Brooks on Transforming "Divisadero" into a Play

Free event with Michael Ondaatje Jan. 9

TORONTO (Tuesday, January 3, 2012) – Toronto Public Library is pleased to announce that David S. Young, Toronto Reference Library Playwright-in-Residence will interview acclaimed Canadian author Michael Ondaatje and theatre director Daniel Brooks about the adaptation of Ondaatje's novel Divisadero into Divisadero: A Performance.

Everyone is welcome; the event is being held Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, 7:00 – 8:30 pm at Toronto Reference Library. It is free and no pre-registration required. Please join us for this very special evening of Canadian literature and theatre in discussion of Divisadero and how it came to life onstage.

Michael Ondaatje, who was honoured with the Governor General's Literary Award, 2007, set the story partly in the gambling parlours of California and Nevada, and a village in south-central France. Ondaatje collaborated with Daniel Brooks, the artistic director of Necessary Angel Theatre Company, to adapt his novel Divisadero - a “violent and passionate story exploring themes of memory, identity, love and the grip of the past on the present.” The story is an “examination of the intimate relationship between the speaker and the listener, and of language's ability to weave a magical spell." (Necessary Angel Theatre Company)

Due to the success of the show in 2011, the play will run again at Theatre Passe Muraille, February 8 – 26, 2012. Necessary Angel is giving everyone who attends the event at Toronto Reference Library January 9 a $5 discount coupon on tickets.

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.

 

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Media Contact:

Anne Marie Aikins 416-393-7212

media@torontopubliclibrary.ca