News Releases- Toronto Public Library

All Library Branches Open March 30 at 10:30 am

Library Board approves a new 4-year agreement with Toronto Public Library Workers’ Union Local 4948

TORONTO – March 29, 2012, 10:00pm – The Toronto Public Library Board today approved a new 4-year agreement with the Toronto Public Library Workers’ Union Local 4948, which represents the library’s 2,300 library workers. Full library services will resume and branches will re-open on Friday March 30th at 10:30am.

“I am pleased that we have been able to reach a new collective agreement with Local 4948 and are able to quickly resume full library service to the residents of Toronto,” said Library Board Chair, Councillor Paul Ainslie. “This agreement is fair to our employees, affordable to the residents of Toronto, and will allow us to efficiently deliver the excellent library services that Torontonians value so much.” Councillor Ainslie also recognized the efforts of both the Library and the union bargaining teams and thanked them for their efforts in reaching this agreement.

The agreement, approved at a special meeting of the Toronto Public Library Board earlier this evening, achieves the bargaining objectives set by the Board and is also in line with recent City settlements and budget parameters.

Details of the Agreement

The new agreement provides employees with a modest wage increase in the second, third and fourth year of the contract. These increases are 0.225 per cent (2013), 1.75 per cent (2014) and 2.25 per cent (2015). There is no wage increase for 2012 but employees will receive a lump sum payment of 1.5 per cent to be paid on January 1, 2013.

The new agreement also includes a new Job Security provision which states that there shall be no layoffs of full-time and part-time employees with 11 years’ seniority or more. The Library’s seniority is an integrated list of full-time, part-time and Page employees – which is unique to the Library – and so under the Library’s provision, 59 per cent of employees do not have job security protection.

Full details of the new agreement are posted here.

Details of Resumption of Library Services

All Toronto Public Library branches will reopen tomorrow, Friday March 30th, at 10:30am with normal operating hours. Most regularly scheduled programs and services will also resume. Customers are asked to check the library website at torontopubliclibrary.ca or to call Answerline at 416-393-7131 to check availability of services and whether particular programs have been cancelled.

Library customers will not be charged for any materials that became overdue during the labour disruption, and library customers have 2 weeks to return overdue materials without being charged fines. Any fines accrued prior to the labour disruption are still the responsibility of library customers to pay.

Customers who have holds that were filled prior to the labour disruption have two weeks to pick them up. Any holds that were placed during the labour disruption will be filled as usual and customers will be notified when their holds are available.

If customers have any questions related to their library services, they are encouraged to call Answerline or speak to staff at their local branch. See more information here.

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 to call Answerline at 416-393-7131.

- 30 -

Media Contact:
Anne Marie Aikins
416-629-0556
aaikins@torontopubliclibrary.ca

Frequently Asked Questions Resumption of Services (updated)

Resumption of Services

(Updated April 4, 3:30 pm)

When do library branches re-open?

All library branches re-opened on Friday March 30th at 10:30am, and all library programs and services resumed at that time, with some exceptions. Regular branch hours resumed on March 31.

 

When can I start returning items?

Materials can be returned as soon as the branches re-open. Book drops are now open.

 

When will the bookmobile start again?

Bookmobiles began regularly scheduled stops on Friday March 30th at 10:30am.

 

When will Home Library Service begin?

Home Library Service resumed Friday March 30th, but it will take staff a few days to get back onto the regularly scheduled visits. Library staff will be contacting customers with delayed orders to let them know when they should expect their order. Customers whose deliveries were scheduled during the labour disruption will receive their delivery on the next scheduled visit.

 

When will Answerline and online library assistance services begin?

All library services resumed Friday March 30 at 10:30am, with a few exceptions. Answerline, Ask-a-Librarian and online library assistance services are all available now.

 

Late Fees

 

I have items that were due during the time the library was closed due to the labour disruption. Will I have to pay fines on these items?

No. Library customers will not be charged for any materials that became overdue during the labour disruption, and library customers have 2 weeks to return overdue materials without being charged fines. Any fines accrued prior to the labour disruption are still the responsibility of library customers to pay.

 

I cannot get to the library on the first day it re-opens to return my items that were due while the branches were closed. Does this mean I will have to pay fines for my overdue materials?

You have two weeks from the time branches reopen to return any materials that came due during the labour disruption. This means that you have until Thursday April 12 to return your overdue library materials. Overdue items received after April 12 will be charged fines from April 13 until the date they are returned.

 

I went away during the labour disruption and didn’t return until after April 12, 2012 and I have accumulated fines. Will I have to pay those fines?

When you return, please take your overdue materials to a branch and discuss your personal situation with library staff.

 

I have a Best Bets book, DVD, magazine or Book Club Set that was due during the labour disruption. Will I have to pay fines on these items?

The library will not be charging fines on any library materials due during the labour disruption as long as items are returned by Thursday April 12. All library material will have the same fines exemption.

 

I have library material that was already overdue when the labour disruption began. Will I have to pay fines for the period before the strike?

Yes, fines will be charged for any days the material was due prior to the closure of branches on March 18, 2012. No additional fines accrued during the labour disruption period.

 

I returned library material in the book drop before the libraries closed but they still show on my record. When will it come off my record? Will I owe fines on this material?

Library staff began checking in material that was returned in book drops before the labour disruption as soon as service resumed. It may take a little while for all items to be checked in and when it is checked in, it will come off of your record. No fines will be charged on this material, unless it was due before March 18, 2012. We appreciate your patience as library staff resume services and process any backlog of materials.

 

Holds

 

I had items that I had requested ready to be picked up at the library but did not get them before the strike. I was supposed to pick them up within one week but could not because the library closed. What has happened to my hold? Do I have to request this item again?

All items that were on library shelves waiting to be picked up have had their expiry dates extended. This means that you have 2 weeks from the date of the re-opening of the branches to pick up your hold item. If you do not find your hold on the shelf, please speak to library staff.

 

The item that I requested has been in transit since the beginning of the labour disruption. When will I get it?

No library material was moving between branches during the labour disruption. Material will start moving again now that service has resumed. You will be contacted as soon as the item arrives at your chosen pick up location.

 

What has happened to the items that I had on hold before the labour disruption?

Your holds are still in place and items will be sent to you when they become available. Your position in the holds queue has not changed. If there are items that you no longer need, please go into your account online and cancel the holds.

 

Programming & Events

 

Q. Are community meetings, events etc. starting up again immediately?

A. All library programs and services resumed on Friday March 30, with a few exceptions. Please check the website, or call your branch or Answerline to get the most up-to-date information about branch programs and events.

 

Q. Is programming—like ESL, Ready for Reading—starting back up in the branches right away?

A. All library programs and services resumed on Friday March 30, with a few exceptions. Please check the website, or call your branch or Answerline to get the most up-to-date information about branch programs and events.

 

Q. I had an event booked in a library theatre (meeting room) during the labour disruption and it had to be cancelled. Will I get a refund?

A: Room rental charges will be refunded, as appropriate. Please contact room bookings at roombookingunit@torontopubliclibrary.ca or 416-397-5969 between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday – Friday.

 

Q. What about library events in the Appel Salon? Are they back on?

A. All library programs and services resumed on Friday March 30, with a few exceptions. You can check the library website at torontopubliclibrary.ca/appelsalon to find out if any Appel Salon events have been cancelled or rescheduled.

 

Q. What about deadlines for artist applications?

A. The deadline for applications for branch art exhibits has been extended. For more information, contact the Art Exhibits Office at (416) 393-7224 or by email at:
artexhibits@torontopubliclibrary.ca

Q. What about the deadline for Business Inc. applications?

A. The deadline for applications for Business Inc. has been extended. You can check the library website at torontopubliclibrary.ca/businessinc for more information.

Q. What about the deadline for Young Voices 2012 submissions?

A. The deadline for submissions for Young Voices 2012 has been extended to Saturday April 7, 2012 (online submissions will be accepted until April 14). For more information, visit Young Voices.

Library Board Ratifies Agreement with Toronto Public Library Workers’ Union Local 4948

Library Board Ratifies Agreement with Toronto Public Library Workers’ Union Local 4948

TORONTO –March 29, 2012, [6:40pm]:  This evening at a special meeting of the Toronto Public Library Board, the Board ratified the tentative agreement reached with the Toronto Public Library Workers’ Union Local 4948, which represents the library’s 2,300 library workers.

Results of the Local 4948 membership vote for ratification will be announced later tonight. Once both parties have ratified the agreement, library services will resume and branches will re-open on Friday, March 30th at 10:30am.

- 30 -

Media Contact:

Anne Marie Aikins

416-629-0556

aaikins@torontopubliclibrary.ca

 

Library Board Reaches Tentative Agreement with Toronto Public Library Workers’ Union Local 4948

Library Board Reaches Tentative Agreement with Toronto Public Library Workers’ Union Local 4948

Update Mar. 29, 2012: The Special Meeting of the Toronto Public Library Board has been scheduled for 5:00 pm today for ratification of the Collective Agreement between Toronto Public Library Board and Toronto Public Library Workers, Local 4948, (2012 – 2015).

A Public Information Line is available at 416-393-7612

TORONTO –March 28, 2012:  Tonight the Toronto Public Library Board reached a tentative agreement with the Toronto Public Library Workers’ Union Local 4948, which represents the library’s 2,300 library workers.

Once the agreement has been ratified by both the Local 4948 membership and by the Toronto Public Library Board, library services will resume. 

- 30 -

Media Contact:

Anne Marie Aikins

416-629-0556

aaikins@torontopubliclibrary.ca

Update on Service Disruption at Toronto Public Library

Information line available to the public 416-393-7612

TORONTO (Monday, March 26, 2012) – The labour disruption at Toronto Public Library continues and library branches remain closed. A phone line is now available which will provide daily outgoing messages with the most up-to-date information for the public.

Library Materials

• Please continue to hold on to your library materials until the labour disruption is over. No fines will accumulate while branches and book drops are closed.

Website

• Most website services are available including ebooks, reference & research materials online, KidsSpace and RAMP.

Program Update

• Library programs and events are cancelled during the labour disruption—please consult What’s On blog for further information 

The Bram & Bluma Appel Salon:

• The Appel Salon continues to operate during the labour disruption for non-library, commercial events.  Commercial bookings are proceeding with some minor adjustments to how attendees access Toronto Reference Library for their booking. If uncertain, please contact your event host or the Appel Salon 416-393-7148.

Keep updated about library services during the labour disruption:

• Media Release Blog
• Toronto Public Library on Facebook
• Toronto Public Library on Twitter
• Public Info Line: 416-393-7612
• Please help spread the word!

Thank you for your continuing patience and understanding. We look forward to resuming library services when the labour disruption is over.

Media Contact: Anne Marie Aikins, Manager, Community Relations, 416-393-7212, media@torontopubliclibrary.ca

 

Update on Service Disruption at Toronto Public Library

Library branches remain closed

TORONTO (Friday, March 23, 2012) – Toronto Public Library is experiencing a labour disruption and all library branches remain closed. Please review the following for the most up-to-date information regarding service availability.  

The Bram & Bluma Appel Salon:

The Appel Salon continues to operate during the labour disruption for non-library, commercial events.  Commercial bookings are proceeding with some minor adjustments to how attendees access Toronto Reference Library for their booking. If uncertain, please contact your event host or the Appel Salon 416-393-7148.

Service Update:

• ALL library programs and events are cancelled during the labour disruption
• ALL library branches and locations are currently closed
• ALL book drops have been locked; please hold on to library materials until the labour disruption is over
• NO overdue fines will be charged
• ALL room and facility bookings are cancelled while branches are closed
• Telephone and email support, including ebook support is NOT available
• MOST website services are available including ebooks, reference & research materials online, KidsSpace and RAMP

 Keep updated about library services during the labour disruption:

• Media Release Blog
• Toronto Public Library on Facebook
• Toronto Public Library on Twitter
• Please help spread the word!

Thank you for your continuing patience and understanding. We look forward to resuming library services when the labour disruption is over.

Media Contact: Anne Marie Aikins, Manager, Community Relations, 416-393-7212, media@torontopubliclibrary.ca

 

Update on Service Disruption at Toronto Public Library

Most web services still available

TORONTO (March 20, 2012) Please review the following information related to service availability during the labour disruption at Toronto Public Library. Thank you for your continuing patience.

AVAILABLE Services:

Most website services including:

• Review Your Account and place holds
• eBooks including Overdrive,  Safari eBooks, OneClick eAudioBooks
• Digital homework resources Full electronic resource list
• Popular electronic resources including
  • Tumblebooks
  • Mango Language Learning
  • Naxos Music
  • RAMP For Teens
  • KidsSpace
  • Labour disruption information and updates
    • Media Release Blog
    • Toronto Public Library on Facebook
    • Toronto Public Library on Twitter

 UNAVAILABLE Services:

• ALL library programs and events
• ALL library branches and locations are closed
• ALL book drops have been locked; you cannot return library materials during the labour disruption but will not be charged overdue fines
• ALL room and facility bookings are cancelled
• Telephone and email support, including ebook support

Additional information:

We will keep you posted on any changes or new developments.

Please note:

• No additional fines during the labour disruptions
• Holds cannot be retrieved because all locations are closed. All holds ready for pickup will remain on the shelf and will be extended at the end of the labour disruption
• Materials do not go overdue during the labour disruption
• Library cards will not expire ­– Library cards set to expire during the labour disruption will be extended until library branches are re-opened.

Thank you again for your continuing patience and understanding.

 

Library Workers On Legal Strike

Library branches closed during labour disruption: Most website services available

TORONTO (Sunday, March 18, 2012) – A settlement has not been reached between the Toronto Public Library Board and the Toronto Public Library Workers’ Union Local 4948. As of 5:01 pm today, library staff began a legal strike.

During the labour disruption:

•   All library branches and facilities are closed, and bookmobile and home library services are suspended.
•   No fines will be charged during the labour disruption on overdue library materials.
•   All book drops are closed.  Borrowers are asked to hold onto their library materials until the labour disruption is over.
•   All scheduled meetings and events are cancelled during the labour disruption.  Room rental charges will be refunded, as appropriate.  
•   Most website services are available during the labour disruption. Please check the website for further updates www.torontopubliclibrary.ca

“We remain committed to working with Toronto Public Library Workers’ Union Local 4948 to reach a settlement that is fair and reasonable to our staff and affordable to the residents of Toronto so that we can resume public library service in Toronto as soon as possible,” said Councillor Paul Ainslie, Toronto Public Library Board Chair.  


- 30 -

Media Contact:
Anne Marie Aikins
416-629-0556
aaikins@torontopubliclibrary.ca

7th Annual Keep Toronto Reading Festival Launched

KTR Krews hit the streets to talk about ‘Reader City’

TORONTO (Tuesday, March 13, 2012) This morning, Toronto Public Library launched the Keep Toronto Reading Festival, its month-long celebration of books and the joy of reading. The theme of this April’s festival is “Reader City” -- inviting Torontonians to tell us “What Are You Reading Where?”

The festival was launched with four KTR Krews of Toronto teens. Each Krew, sporting Reader City toques and t-shirts, popped up in unexpected places across the city – from bus stops to the outside of shopping centres and office towers – and asked Torontonians, “What Are You Reading Where?” People received bookmarks and were encouraged to visit our website KeepTorontoReading.ca to share their reads.

“We thought this was a fun way to kick off our Reader City campaign - to get people talking about the books and the neighbourhoods they love," said Tina Srebotnjak, manager of cultural and special events programming at the library .  "And there are so many ways to get involved: in our branches, of course, but also on our website KeepTorontoReading.ca, via Facebook and Twitter – using the #KeepTorontoReading hashtag – and, on YouTube where we’re encouraging people to post a mini book review."

This year’s festival also invites everyone to come out to 100 events taking place in over 50 library branches and partner venues across the city - including readings, lectures, panel discussions, walking tours, workshops and more.

Everyone is also encouraged to participate in the One Book community read. This year’s selection, Girls Fall Down by Maggie Helwig, is a love story set in post 9/11 Toronto.  As part of the community reads program, the library is hosting readings, discussions, tours and other events that bring the book’s themes to life.

For complete festival information and event listings, go to keeptorontoreading.ca

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.

-30-

Media Contact:

Tina Srebotnjak 416-393-7098 media@torontopubliclibrary.ca 

7th Annual Keep Toronto Reading Festival Launch

KTR Krews hit the streets to talk about ‘Reader City’

TORONTO (Friday, March 9, 2012) Toronto Public Library is celebrating the books and city we love during its seventh annual Keep Toronto Reading Festival this April. Under the theme of Reader City, the month-long celebration offers free events at library branches, pubs, churches – and, starting March 13, on the streets of Toronto.

On March 13, groups of Toronto teens, or “KTR Krews,” will kick off the celebration by popping up in unexpected places across the city to ask Torontonians, “What Are You Reading Where?” Decked out in KTR toques and t-shirts, the KTR Krews will be flashing signs and handing out bookmarks, surprising morning commuters near bus stops and subways; business people on their breaks outside office towers; parents, kids, dog walkers and seniors on their stroll in the park, all to find out what Torontonians love to read, and where they love to read it.

When:             Tuesday, March 13, 2012, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where:            8:00 - 9:30 am - Yonge/Bloor intersection

                       10:00 -11:30 am - outside Royal Ontario Museum.

These are just two suggested media opportunities. For a full schedule, please contact media@torontopubliclibrary.ca.

In the weeks leading up to the Festival and throughout April we will be inviting the public to tell us “What Are You Reading Where” – by visiting their library and filling out a Reader City sticker, posting on our website keeptorontoreading.ca, making a YouTube video, or posting on our Facebook page or Twitter (@torontolibrary) using the #KeepTorontoReading hashtag.

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.

-30-

Media Contact:

Tina Srebotnjak 416-393-7098

media@torontopubliclibrary.ca