Toronto Public Library Board Identifies Cost Containment Measures

    TORONTO, July 25 /CNW/ - At a special meeting today, the Toronto Public
Library Board approved the implementation of cost containment measures that
will result in operating budget savings of $1.2 million by year-end. These
measures are in response to the City of Toronto's request to generate savings
to be put toward reducing its 2008 operating budget shortfall.
    "Toronto Public Library has been maximizing efficiencies since
amalgamation, at the same time as demand and usage of services at our 99
branches has been steadily increasing," said Kathy Gallagher Ross, Chair of
the Toronto Public Library Board. "Regrettably, any cuts we make at this point
will lead to service reductions."Details of cost containment measures:

    -   Cancellation of September-December 2007 Sunday service at 16 of our
        27 Sunday Service branch locations. The remaining 11 branch locations
        serve priority neighbourhoods as designated by the City and will
        continue to offer Sunday service in 2007.
    -   $330,000 reduction in library materials budget
    -   A hiring freeze that will result in service reductions; namely, the
        delayed re-opening of the Jane/Dundas branch (currently scheduled for
        September 2007, will be delayed to 2008); discontinuation of
        alternate services during renovation-related branch closures across
        the city; and possible intermittent disruption to branch services and
        programs
    -   Deferral of some library programs
    -   Elimination of discretionary spending"The Board's decisions were focused on cost containment measures and
service level reductions that we believe could be achieved within the
library's and the City's current fiscal constraints," added Kathy Gallagher
Ross. "Equal consideration was given to minimizing long term impacts to
library services and to protecting programs and services in priority
neighbourhoods."
    Toronto Public Library will conduct public consultations this fall to
obtain community feedback on potential future service level reductions in
response to the City's fiscal situation.

    Toronto Public Library is North America's busiest public library system.
Every week more than 329,000 people visit our 99 branches and borrow more than
half a million items. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit our
website at www.torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131.

For further information: Media Contact: Ana-Maria Critchley, (416)
393-7201, [e-mail]