Councillor Doug Ford says:
“We have more libraries per person than any other city in the world. I’ve got more libraries in my area than I have Tim Horton’s.”
In fact:
- When the Urban Affairs branch closes, Toronto will have 3.9 libraries per 100,000 people, which is what Vancouver has. Halifax has 4.3 libraries per 100,000 people, more than Toronto. In the U.S., the entire state of Vermont, which has only one-quarter of the population of Toronto, has 30 libraries per 100,000 people, which is 7-1/2 times the library density of Toronto.
- In Etobicoke (Mr. Ford’s area), there are 13 library branches there, and 39 Tim Horton’s shops, not to mention all the other donut shops. In fact, on a per capita basis, the people in Etobicoke have fewer libraries than Toronto as a whole. They have one for every 27,000 people whereas in Toronto as a whole it’s about one for every 25,000 people.
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Hi,
I have enjoyed access to the TPL since my student years and hope to continue using many of theses excellent facilities, for work and pleasure. Free access to what these libraries provide today is still vital to our continuing education and support of literacy. However I am hoping that there are plans to become more relevant by searching for new uses for the venues and more high tech responses to embrace the next generations.
I had to write a paper for a course for the first time in years- and man, has the TPL become updated and relevant. I did most of my research from home using databases I signed into from their website. I even printed out articles- in other words, if this had been around when I was a student, I could’ve procrastinated way more efficiently. ;)
I’ve also borrowed ebooks when I’ve wanted something to read, but couldn’t get to a library. The only problems with the ebooks are that they’re so popular, nothing’s in and also there isn’t the same selection as the print collection.
Also, my local branch (North Memorial) was recently renovated with more study and “cafe” seating with outlets for laptops, and most afternoons and weekends you can’t find a seat for all the teens hanging out, studying, reading and computing. In fact that’s really my only complaint about the TPL- most of the branches I visit, it’s hard to find a seat!
I get your point. It’s good to know that there are still places in this city where teens can congregate and socialize instead of the ubiquitous “shopping mall,” or worse. Unfortunately, all those public spaces may be in danger of becoming extinct: TPL, the zoo, parks, etc. If they are to be closed to “save money” where is the citizenry supposed to go? And if the Ford brothers remove everything that makes a city liveable for its citizens (OK, granted there’s ALWAYS Tim Horton’s…) what’s there left for the good “elected folks” at city hall to do? Maybe go to their respective cottages…
I suggest that you consider submitting a comment sheet to the branch head requesting more seating or study space. They would consider putting chairs in their budget if your make the request known. Remember they have to weigh furniture against how much money goes toward those library resources you use. Advocate for yourself because as a citizen who pays taxes, it’s your right to have a say to be considered. Also, as yet, the amount of e-books published as opposed to print editions is smaller and consider that the online subscriptions to the periodical literature you use is very expensive. So, in fact, the cost of one resource is weighted against another based on usuage and demand. I wish you well. Best wishes with your courses.
Saving Our Community Libraries
Mayor Ford, I have some suggestions for other solutions below. Nevertheless, it’s worth saying that I am horrified by your suggestion to curtail the public’s access to community libraries let alone community parks and recreational facilities and services. Having nearby access to information can change a person’s outlook on life and their livelihood. Library materials, programmes and services provide equal access to educational, informative and entertaining avenues of learning, knowledge, and enjoyment for our fellow citizens.
Limiting resources, especially considering the situation of the children, the student, the under-privileged and the immigrant population of our city, will make their quality of life restricted in ways one may not yet imagine. When children can walk or bike to their community library, they are getting essential exercise, developing their social skills, broadening their literacy skills in language and computers. These days a parent is more likely comfortable to allow them to go to their nearby community library than to one further away. Imagine what it must mean to them to have the ability and the privilege to explore new horizons in a safe and happy environment.
University and government level studies have shown that less privileged persons with cancer, who do not have the financial means to afford their own access to the Internet or to purchase magazines, periodicals or books, do not enjoy the same recovery or even the survival rate as those who do have the means. If nothing else, consider how their quality of life is compromised. Or perhaps at this moment, on a more practical but uncaring level, it’s more endearing for you to consider the loss of tax revenue should they stay ill or even worse!
Have you considered the joint programmes out there between public libraries and the public school system to amalgamate their resources to support a one library joint initiative? Some of these libraries are in the school building and some are nearby.
Let’s just brainstorm ideas about ways that larger branches could possibly rent dedicated, self-contained spaces accessible from the front rotundas of the library building to businesses, community groups, Montessori schools, or privately owned toddler-aged childminding services for example. In Windsor, in the 1990′s (and perhaps still now) the Central Library rented space to an entrepreneur to set up a small Internet cafe, to a doll collector group where dolls in international dress were displayed in locked cases (they paid) along a free wall in the library and a woodworking co-operative group to set up a little shop to display their artistic creations for sale.
The possibilities are endless! Imagine renting space to a handicraft co-operative where crafters and artists could display items they made for sale, run art camps for kids or have lessons for adults! Or small dedicated space for an art gallery, which has paintings for sale. Would a tourist board from another large country, such as Britain, rent space to set up their tourist board branch?
Could a bank be encouraged to set up a small limited service branch in a dedicated space that could be locked? How about a post office, an accountant or lawyer’s small firm, a computer school business or an office for city councillors, a MP or a MPP? (Move the money around a bit from different levels of government, eh?) If religious organizations, i.e. churches, can sell their “air space” downtown to condo builders or businesses to build high rises above the church, why can’t the city?
The point I making is not let’s have shareholding cooperatives but rent dedicated space (some privately accessed). Some of these spaces could only be open during library hours. Of course the city would have to appoint a “think-tank” of librarians, library board members, a representative number of citizens and some government supervisory staff members and councillors or whom-so-ever it should be. Have your councillors spoken to fund-raising professional like the people at the York University’s business school, for example? Has any research been done to see what’s happening in other countries or provinces? Not until every brainstorm idea that people have are considered should we give up so easily to a shareholder co-operative (perhaps my high rise idea is such, I don’t know. However, I’m in agreement in having the think-tank consider something like that that’s has a separately dedicated space and access to it from the actual library space.) I’m certain that there are other ideas and professionals with a better understanding of the ins and outs of all I’m suggesting. Please explore these ideas though before completely jumping into what’s on the table now. Thank you for considering my ideas Ron and others!
Mr. Ford glibly says that there are more libraries than Tim Horton’s in his area. Is this a bad thing? There are also more fire departments than McDonald’s in my area.
So…he has more libraries than Tims in his area…Isn’t that a good thing? Looking at him, wouldn’t it be better for him to feed his mind than that stomach of his?
Knock off the fat phobic comments against the Fords. That helped them look like victims and get elected in the first place. Lots of fat people use libraries and public services. Stick to the issues.
100% agree. I cringe whenever I hear someone make comments like this. These work against all those who put effort into valid criticism (for which there is plenty)
Unfortunately he started this. Comparing Tims with libraries?
I totally agree with you, and I think your comment is “valid”!
Eeejits!
Clearly, what’s more important to Doug Ford than feeding the mind is enjoying a nice, hot cup of stimulant, and a deep-fried torus** of dough…
**I know big words like that because I use libraries.
Tim Hortons > Public Libraries
Good to know where Ford’s priorities lie. Long live Tim Hortons!
It would appear that Mr. Ford also uses Tim Hortons as his primary information source. He certainly does not seem to use the public library and its highly trained information staff. If he did, perhaps he would not so glibly trot out erroneous statistics.
We need our libraries! This is just crap. I’m happy to pay my taxes and have library service included in this. Its a crucial aspect of our city, and our society that all have equal access to reading, listening, and other resources.
He actually says “lie-berries,” not “libraries,” so I think we’re safe!
That’s what he and Rob eat before speaking with the press! ;)
Mr. Ford fails to mention that the TPL is also the most used public library system on the continent. It is not a gluttonous gravy service, but one that is valuable and very well valued.
Maybe it would do the Ford’s good to frequent more libraries than Donut shops!
I am strongly opposed to reducing the number of libraries or the services they provide. I use libraries regularly, but more than that, I have observed first hand the importance of these libraries to students.
The Fords wish to bring the rest of Torontonians down to their own level of ignorance and foolishness.
Maybe the TPL needs to introduce user fees for services that are not essential, like my luxury of reserving books and having them delivered to the branch.
I am a monthly donor to the TPL foundation, on the suggestion of my 23 year old son who gets the same terrific benefit from libraries that I have received all my life.
actually the ability to order a book that belongs to another library is a facility that enables the library to reduce the number of copies of a publication it has in the system, while still enabling all it’s users access to it regardless of the user’s ability to access the location it resides in.
People yell at us enough when it comes to fines. I agree with you, but would hate to go to work if we did that.
Nice of Councillor Doug Ford to offer up the libraries in his riding of Etobicoke Centre for closure. He obviously is speaking for his community and knows they won’t mind the closures and will support this.
Thank you, Councillor Ford for saving my branch in the downtown core! :)
People should know by now that the Ford’s are incapable of basing anything on fact and statistics. They make up some fairy tale statistic and run with it, even though it’s completely wrong. I can’t anybody would say that.
I think, like Sen. John Kyl’s statistics on Planned Parenthood, this was “not intended as a factual statement”.
Accurate fact or not – it says a lot about a person’s values when they imply it’s somehow a “problem” for people to have more access to information and books than to doughnuts. (No offense to Tims, please, love them!)
As a professor teaching adult newcomers to Canada, one of the first things most do is get a library card. Libraries for many are seen as places of freedom as well as knowledge centres and a reflection of their community. As for myself, I am in my local branch almost weekly. The staff is helpful, knowledgeable and hard working…the branch may be one of the smallest but it has always been busy.
[...] of the problem with being illiterate is that reality is sometimes lost on you. According to ourpubliclibrary.to: * When the Urban Affairs branch closes, Toronto will have 3.9 libraries per 100,000 people, which [...]
The size of the TPL system should be considered a point of *pride*, not an indication of over-spending. It points to inclusiveness, education, culture. All qualities that the Fords lack.
To everyone who is commenting here about how important libraries are: I encourage you to take 10 minutes and write an email to Doug Ford, the Mayor and/or your own councillor to let them know how you feel.
I guess it’s more important for us to have Tim Horton’s than to have libraries. Spoken by someone who’s probably never set foot in a library. If libraries had any personal value, he probably wouldn’t take them for granted and imply what a supposed outrage it is to have more libraries than Tim Horton’s (which isn’t even true).
Any figures quoted by Rob & Doug shouldn’t be believed. Rob’s latest statistic was that the city’s costs were “80% labor”. It’s actually under 50%.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/toronto-mayor-ford-talks-layoffs-suggests-labour-costs-are-4-times-too-high/article2098516/
Perhaps Mr. Ford needs to understand that we need more libraries not less!
Libraries are the repositories of all of humankind’s knowledge both academic
and artistic. There where you go to find out stuff, to expand your mind and for the pure joy of reading! Please, if you have to make cost cuts make them in less
important areas… such as travel expenses.
I’ve created this petition and I hope you’ll all sign and circulate it!
It’s to the CEO of Tim Horton’s and it’s demanding more Timmies franchises for City of Toronto Ward 2.
Doug Ford is complaining about his ward being short of timbits. What else could his more libraries than Timmies outlets commen mean eh?
http://www.petitiononline.com/fordtims/
Libraries aren’t gravy. Libraries are the lifeblood of inquiring, creative, capable minds.
I’d hazard a guess that Doug Ford drinks more Tim Hortons than he reads library books – and that’s a real pity. It doesn’t qualify him to be making this type of recommendation. @Lawrence – well said. @Judith – my family were newcomers some years back and our local library played, and still plays, an important part in our our integration, enjoyment, activities, learning. It was one of the reasons we grew to love Toronto.
Rob Ford, you may love the sound bite of things that “aren’t nailed down” but the whole point about library books (and, indeed, library programming) is that they are not nailed down; they are free to circulate, educate, enlighten.
I have been a library patron for close to 30 years; that’s 30 years of accessibility to a world-class, city-wide network of libraries where I can borrow materials (books, tapes, CD’s, DVD’s, etc) to broaden my perspective on the world around me.
By blindly cutting services just for the sake of meeting their mandate, the Ford brothers are doing their constituency a dis-service. Have they considered polling neighbourhoods to get feedback on how valuable our libraries really are? Perhaps that should be their next step, before they proceed with their “slash and burn” policy.
Mr. Ford, please reconsider your stance; our libraries are a VITAL part of this city. A LOT of people depend on them; for improving their minds and life circumstance(s).
You know, we should privatize Tim Horton’s. I don’t know why we need to support them with our hard-earned tax dollars when surely, they can support themselves. Maybe we could put library books in Tim Horton’s shops to try to drive up revenue and maybe make them more independent. Great work Rob.
I don’t know the context of Doug Ford’s comment, although his exasperated tone indicates he’s not happy about the number of libraries… but I really wanted to point out that he says “lie-berries” rather than “libraries”.
*sigh*
The Toronto Public Library system is an essential part of my life. I frequently borrow materials to learn more about my health and well being, to grow professionally as a public school teacher, and reading materials for enjoyment. All of these greatly enhance my quality of life.
Furthermore, as a public school teacher at a Toronto inner-city school, I know how much my students and their families value Toronto Public Library services. These services aid greatly in their education and quality of life.
Once again and exaggerated outcry by a Ford. Do the Ford’s use the Library? Once again, as with bike lanes and jobs for essential public services, the Fords force their way of life on us. Cook the look of the books in whatever way they please, Enough twisted lies! We don’t want the Ford lifestyle. They are ruining our city.
This initiative beautifully illustrates the importance of easy access to information. Let’s not let Ford take what we have for granted! http://www.ayokaproductions.org/content/biblioburro-donkey-library
It’s so sad that it’s come to this, where we have to fight even for libraries not to be sold out.
btw, Please fix your form so that the buttons are completely visible in Chrome.
*hint* look at your iframe.
thanks!
Please tell me this is a joke. While that stat is not even true, is he actually complaining that we have more libraries than doughnut outlets? He sees that as a bad thing? What the %$#* were Toronto voters smoking last October??
Asked to spell LIBRARY and Doug Ford would no doubt spell it this way: L I B A R Y. That’s the way he said it, TWICE, in the radio interview. Enough said. These clowns need not foist their “dumbed down” show on the rest of us in this fair city. Who elected these people??
No surprise here at the level of banality displayed by the Fords. I hope those that voted in certain members of this municipal government are beginning to realize the mess that they have unleashed on the city. You can’t cut gravy if there is literally no gravy train. You can’t cut taxes and expect to make up the shortfall by expense cuts that are not conducive to a world class city. Taxes are a necessary evil as long as the revenue produced by these taxes are managed in a responsible way. That’s why the city must have documented internal financial controls and the reason why audits are conducted to identify weaknesses in these controls. The city provides services for a reason. Privatization is not the magic bullet that some would argue the city needs. I want a library that represents our diverse city, not a private owner’s viewpoint. I have lived in Toronto for 47 years and spent much of my time in libraries. The thought of privatizing libraries is unacceptable.
I now live in Stratford and have done so since I retired 7 years ago. Before that the TPL system was a huge part of my life. As a young student and reader I almost lived at the Wychwood branch. I lived in the Beach and there is a great Beach branch. I have been to numerous meetings at the Yonge-Bloor main reference library. Working downtown I used the branch at City Hall. If the Fords want to save money, they should stop using those very very expensive “consultants” at $350,000 a pop. The Fords complain about the 53,000 civil servants at the City Hall. Why not tap into them for ideas on how to save money. The Fords could use the consultants’ fees towards the TPL system. Takes a genius to figure that one out. Good luck with your petition Toronto, but if you loose, come to Stratford, we have a great library.
Yes, write letters – don’t save great ideas for your own mind, share!!!
Has the ‘mayor’ ever visited a Library to see young and old learning?…I think not…If he has children they were probably not allowed to spend intelligent time in Libraries. What a pity…they might have taught him something of the vast learning possibilities. Our Libraries are not for sale!
As a long-time citizen of this city, it is exasperating to see Mike Harris’ two smarmy henchmen strutting around the city shooting off their vile, uninformed opinions on everything from cuisine to kulture. They apparently know less about gravy than they know about ballet.
Maybe if these three (I include Mike, because, he is at the table both in spirit and in person. The Barons of Ford Nation don’t do much without consulting the ‘King of Common Sense’.) were to spend less time in Timmies and more at the library, they might just have a little more respect for the citizens who elected the Ford brothers as Mayor. We do not want services cut. We want a tax increase, restoration of the Auto tax, and we want these creeps to quit playing games with the lives of the people who work in our libraries, streets and city departments.
As a taxpayer, I do not feel respected. I want to pay more tax, please. Raise my taxes by 4% and get on with the business of building a great city.
City of Pickering: 5 libraries, 100k people, so 5.0 libraries per 100k people
“We have more libraries per person than any other city in the world” – no Rob, you don’t.
The Toronto Public Library system is an essential part of my life. I frequently borrow materials to learn more about my health and well being, to grow professionally, to improve my skills, and reading materials, movies and music for enjoyment. All of these greatly enhance my and my family and friends quality of life.
Beyond the fact that a healthy library system is a good measure of a healthy community, isn’t it inappropriate for Mr Ford to be advocating a corporate coffee shop over the mom and pop shops run by the regular hardworking folks who elected him?
It’s not about Doug Ford and how he expresses himself. For sure we need public libraries. I’m an elementary school teacher. Like public education – another institution continually attacked by funding cuts – a public library system with free access levels the playing field for students who are already marginalized and at-risk. They can borrow books and videos as well as use the computers. Wouldn’t we rather have young people hanging out at libraries instead of video arcades or internet cafes?
We need our public libraries especially as they are looking at closing some school libraries
The library is a community hub, internet access for many, resource centre, parent/child refuge and a free cooling spot in the summer. I can’t believe the small weekend hours of our libraries at present – we need MORE access, not less. I would hope library jobs are well paid as they should be held by educated, trained, intelligent people who then can be tax payers and consumers. All this “outsourcing” creates dubious savings at best and if it does cost less, it does it at the expense of individual’s wages!
Literacy and education is essential to any and all functioning democracies; so, instead of privatizing something that, in essence, belongs to EVERYONE, the government should be financing more public institutions of reading, otherwise known as LIBRARIES…and Ford should consider reading something of substance himself sometime.
The Mayor wants to privatize libraries – does this mean that our ‘public’ libraries will now have to be called ‘private’? Does this mean we will have to pay to get in? To take out a book? As a bookseller who totally supports my library which is across the street from me, I am appalled that the one great equalizer for any community — a library — could be put on the list of ‘gravy’. Our library is a Carnegie library — built in 1914 with a grant from the great philanthropist from NYC. It’s one of the last in Canada. We saved it once from destruction in the 1970′s when it was deemed ‘old-fashioned’. Now it will be under fire from a philistine who probably doesn’t read, hasn’t been in a library since grade school and doesn’t take his own children there to discover the mysteries that are waiting for them on the shelves. And our library is in an ‘at-risk, priority’ neighbourhood — where are the kids who don’t have money to buy books going to get their reading fix, dream their dreams and reach for the stars? All the great minds in history had access to a FREE library system … As Archie Bunker once said “Stifle yourself!”. Is this what our kids need to hear?
I checked this post, and the facts are distorted…. every single one of them. 1) The first point compares Toronto and Vancouver only hypothetically via use of their first word ‘when’, referencing the future. Simply put, Ford is correct as …he is referencing the present (‘We have’), as in; currently. 2) Halifax has 3.763440860215053763440860?2150538 libraries per 100, 000 people, to be exact. On top of that, that’s comparing apples (Toronto – Library branches: 99. Population: 2,503,281) to oranges (Halifax – Library branches: 14. Population: 372,679). 3) We can throw out the third point as they now go on comparing a city to an entire state, yet fail to mention the square mileage vs population and, it’s VT, let’s be honest here; the demand… hehe. Ford was referencing cities. 4) Lastly, Ford’s remark about Timmies was quite obviously meant in a humorous manner. Anyone who would take that and crunch numbers against it is………………….. a moron. You’d think that these ppl devoting a website regarding saving libraries would actually spend a little more time in them….. just saying :)
For those who voted for the Ford agenda: shame, although to be fair, you probably didn’t think we would be hearing about the threat of library closures. If you, like Rob and Doug don’t care about that, shame again.
I hope there is enough outrage to make this is one of the nails in the Ford coffin
I agree! The Fords are ruining the city one bit at a time!
His Worship Rob Ford waddles from crisis to crisis oblivious of the damage he is causing. I’ve seen people like that in business. Nothing sinks into their thick hides. They have their personal ideology from which they do not have the intelligence to waver even when it’s obvious it will do harm. They are uncommunicative, secretive and dangerous.
It’s time for the bumper stickers: “Don’t blame me. I didn’t vote for Ford.”
I feel some of the comments above only fuel the polarization in this city. Whatever your political beliefs are, why don’t we leave the American style mud-slinging out of this and future debates/discussions. Sound intelligent, offer up constructive critisism and remember to vote in the next municipal election.
[...] world. I’ve got more libraries in my area than I have Tim Hortons.” A few days later, Our Public Library, a website created to campaign against the privatization of TPL branches, thankfully set the record [...]
Public libraries are such an essential part of a litterate society. Privatizing such a resource limits the ability of these facilities to impact a wide spectrum of society, as opposed to those have enough disposable income to frequent them. If Toronto were in fact the city that had the most public libraries in the world, this would be something to celebrate, not scoffed at.
The idea that there may be more libraries in a city than donut shops does not logically argue that there are too many libraries. The fact that there are more donut shops than libraries, considering the rates of obesity in this country, may suggest that there are too many donut shops.
I guess the next step the Fords will take will be to burn those extra books.
…. and on we go
“We have more libraries per person than any other city in the world. I’ve got more libraries in my area than I have Tim Horton’s.”
What a Philistine comment!
Is he saying we have too many of both or just that we have too many libraries?
So now everyone who uses the TPL is riding the ‘gravy train’ – regardless of whether we are improving our brains to help Ourselves, Toronto and the Country as a whole succeed in the sciences, arts and businesses? The leaders we choose… hopefully the Universe will forgive us.
I work as a volunteer teaching literacy in the library. Literacy, on a one-on-one is critical to some learners. The closing would have a devastating snowball effect on the learner and their families. Please, don’t do this.
I voted for you and encouraged others to do so. Please, let Toronto continue to grow and flourish. You bring in immigrants and we must do what we can to help them thrive. Please. This would be a horrible mistake.
You voted for him? What were you thinking?
The fact that we’re comparing an educational service to a coffee shop goes to show how much of a nimrod we’re really dealing with — I’ve never felt so close and terrified of the movie “Idiocracy” as I have over the past few years, and am seriously contemplating not having children at all due to the state of the world and our leaders… Ford needs to step back and take a look at what he is doing to our city. His thoughts and actions are very scattered and there doesn’t appear to be a solid plan — just random cuts here and there, and then throw in some excessive spending on what? What do we have to show for excessive spending? Leave the bike lanes on Jarvis, we just spent a fortune to put them in, and you’re going to spend a fortune we don’t have to take them out? Irresponsible budgeting. He is destroying the true essence of “Community” one service at a time, and making irrational spending decisions.
If anything we need MORE libraries, not less. The Fords would know that if they ever set foot into one. Also, not only do we need more libraries, but many of the libraries we already have could use MORE books, and newer books. Some of our libraries are also in dire need of repair and funding.
If this privatization happens it will be a huge blow to Toronto’s culture, and we will see a rise in illiteracy. The libraries need to remain PUBLIC, and we need more of them.
[...] Keenan’s piece in the The Grid giving a rundown of five examples in just one week. But this one, uncovered by the (library union–backed) advocates at OurPublicLibrary and picked up by the Toronto Star is [...]
[...] and any reduction in its locations, services or staff would be of enormous detriment to this city. Mayor Ford’s brother, councillor Doug Ford, (falsely) claimed this week that, “We have more … If only, Mr. Ford, if only! In reality, we have 3.9 libraries per 100,000 people, which is the same [...]
[...] FACT CHECKER: Maureen O’Reilly, Our Public Library [...]
We can only hope that someone will publicly hold his feet to the fire and call his bluff for comments like this. Why, oh why are we cursed with media reps who lack either the guts or brains to take these politicians to task when they make such ridiculous statements. We MUST let all politicians at City Hall who act like this know that they will not get our vote next election. It can’t come soon enough for me.
I signed this online petition and got this reply from the Mayor:
“Thank you very much for your email regarding libraries in the City of Toronto. I appreciate your thoughts and value the input from our residents.
Yours truly,
Mayor Rob Ford
City of Toronto”
I suggested charging annual card member fees to the employed maybe $10 year and free to unemployed and children but keep it public managed/owned. Also to add commercial book stores like Lulu.com, Indigo and maybe Tim Hortons and charge rent to pay for TPL salaries and costs.
Since the parasites who go to libraries have no idea how much they cost, of course you want more of them. If you can’t afford to rent books then you’re a moron and you should starve to death.
I don’t live in Toronto but Orillia is building a much larger library and this city’s population cannot begin to compare with that of Toronto’s. As a former educator and mother of a daughter who taught full time library, let me assure you that libraries are very IMPORTANT!
Barbara Street Brechin
I find it ironic that Mr. Ford cannot even pronounce the word Library. If you listen closely he is an illiterate who pronounces it Li-bary.
Closing or privatizing libraries in Toronto? Bad idea, Mr. Mayor.
Libraries support literacy; literacy creates educated citizens; educated citizens earn a better living and pay more taxes–and your salary. So just from a long-term economics point of view, this is short-sighted. From a short-term point of view, libraries provide free entertainment, education, Internet access to help people find jobs, and so many other important services. They are the foundation of an educated society and the hub and heart of many neighbourhoods.
And who do you punish by closing a library? Senior citizens who stretch their pensions by borrowing books, DVD’s and CD’s. Children, who feed their passion for reading and learning and participate in programs that boost their literacy and social skills. Students who use the library for school project resources. The economically challenged, who gain computer access, job skills, literacy and entertainment for the price of a library card. Readers, writers, families, business people…why, just about everyone!
When they tried to close a library branch in Whitby about 8 years ago, we got 5000 signatures on a petition within two weeks. Thanks to this grassroots pressure from our citizens, town council reversed their decision. They halved the hours of service, but people kept coming and kept asking for longer hours. I’m proud to say that our branch returns to full hours again this fall.
People care about libraries. Mess with them at your peril.
One more fact, Mr. Mayor. The Whitby mayor whose council proposed the library branch closure was defeated in the next election. Library patrons VOTE, and we vote loudly.
RW’s comment about inter-library loans and the ability to borrow from any branch brings up the point that TPL is not just a bunch of buildings, but one large and highly integrated system. Any fragmentation caused by privatizing branches would result in complications and diminished services in some areas, unless the private companies agreed to abide by system-wide policies and procedures. It could cause redundancies among computer systems, limit the sharing of staff and materials, and end up costing more.
An independent publicly operated library is the best assurance against bias in the selection of materials and the equitable provision of information services. Interest-group influence over what patrons can read or access is one of the things the Canadian Library Association’s code of ethics seeks to prevent.
As well, council should realize that by providing independent innovators with resources, public libraries are incubators of economic growth and social and personal development. A library is not simply a building full of books; it is a place where curiosity and inventiveness are encouraged, staffed with people formally trained in interpreting and satisfying complicated questions that would otherwise cost small businesses much consulting money.
Regardless of ideologies – left or right – public libraries create social and economic benefits no truly great city can afford to jeopardize. TPL is indeed North America’s busiest library system. Mayor Ford might ask himself why it’s so busy.
A literate population is essential to any true democracy.
Free public access to information, ideas, and culture, regardless of social or economic standing, helps ensure a literate population.
Eliminating libraries, or making them accessible only to those who can afford them, is a blow against true democracy.
Support democracy! Support public libraries.
Richard Scarsbrook, Author and Educator.
[...] out the Reality Check page, and listen to the comments made by Doug [...]
If you listen to the audio clip closely, Mr. Ford thinks that Library is pronounced “liberry”. Perhaps this indicated that he has never been in one, therefore sees no value in them.
The most exciting day of my young school career was my first day in Grade 1 when I knew that I was old enough to have my own Library card.
Since then I have opened two libraries in elementary schools in Toronto and was part of the joy children experienced as they were introduced to the many wonderful stories that are stored there. In some cases these children were New Canadians who had not had the opportunity to even hold a book. It was a wonder to see them move from non readers to truly literate young people.
One is never alone as long as they have a book to read.
[...] Our Public Library, “Reality Check“ [...]
I’m so happy Doug Ford is in my district.
I’ve been very blase about municipal elections before this.
This time my vote is “ABF” (anybody but Ford).
Rob Ford claims that he’s a Mayor for all the people, yet he demonstrates over and over that he’s not. He’s a mayor for the suburbs, not the vibrant downtown of the city. He’s a mayor for the wealthy, and would rather cut back services for the less fortunate of our society in order to save money. He’s a mayor for car drivers, not for those who understand that public transit and bicycle routes lead to more livable cities. He’s a mayor for sporting types like himself, which is fine, but unfortunately he’s not a mayor for young inquiring minds that benefit from local libraries, local zoos for school day trips, etc. And of course he represents only the people who share his own personal sexual orientation, not the hundreds of thousands of Torontonians who were born with a different sexual orientation. I can’t imagine how such an irrational, close-minded and stubborn individual could ever have ended up as the mayor of this wonderful city of ours. Hopefully Toronto will somehow be able to withstand his boorish onslaught before he is finally ejected from office.
[...] FORD: “I’ve got more libraries in my area than I have Tim Horton’s.” [...]
I think Mr. Ford needs to take a math lesson.
Another shot at seniors and financially disadvantaged – we can’t all afford the high cost of books.
Keep the libraries open. Reading is a joy.
While I now live in Mississauga (which has a great library system and one that I take full advantage of), I lived in Toronto for most of my life and spent countless hours in the libraries there. As a voracious reader, I was able to learn and read to my hearts’ content without bankrupting my parents (although the fines probably paid a few salaries).
Toronto doesn’t need fewer libraries – it needs more of them, so that children in all social and economic groups have the chance to learn and grow as much as they want or are able to.
Borrowing a book or using a computer teaches a child a valuable lesson – to share, to value things that don’t belong to them, and to take care of them – and it’s a lesson too few children learn today.
Mr. Ford’s comment has, in my opinion, caused many Torontonians to speak out in outrage of the draconian cuts of our cherished services. As to his brother’s attack on on the character of Ms. Atwood, he shall soon learn that the pen is mightier then the Fords!!
In grade 4, our class visited Yorkville library regularly… I’m now 70 have used a variety of libraries in the city and I can see over the years our libraries are better and better.
We can order books (in many languages) from their huge holdings; we can get internet information and e-mails, we can attend lectures.
And the Ford brothers have contributed what to our city? They are so lacking in knowledge or common sense it’s frightening.
We should create buttons as someone has suggested… sell them for $1.00(?) to donate to the libraries, or a campaign to defeat the Fords in future elections. Request from you creative people: What should we put on the button????
There are way too many library branches. What we need is a good library system, not too many branches where one can walk to one another. In my area, I 3 libraries to one grocery store. This is pathetic. Also it’s better to have fewer locations so that more books are available in one place. The transfering books from one to another takes a longer time. Books are more on transit than on readers hands.
What location do you suggest? Mine or yours? In my former area in Scarborough there are four large grocery stores that I can think of off hand to McGregor Park Community Library. The transfer of library materials from one branch to another isn’t causing a lengthier wait for the item. It’s because others are using the available copies and you must wait your turn. Isn’t that one of the things our kindergarten teachers taught us? Please reconsider carefully what computer access, educational value and pleasure reading that these library resources in the community libraries provide. For some, it means so much more, as they can’t travel to further away locations due to financial restrictions, parent’s rules, disability, or perhaps, new immigrants who don’t know the city well enough to go the distance and can’t afford taxis. Most l8ikely, if you studied the population count in your area, it would explain the high number of branches. Did you know that librarians select materials that are suited to the community their library is situated in, i.e. materials in specific languages, business and higher education research materials versus public school student resources and pleasure reading. Libraries are so much more than the space they occupy. If your local branch doesn’t provide materials you need or desire speak to the reference librarian or the branch head or fill out a comment sheet. I wish you well.
Libraries are essential to our communities and their residents. If you want literate, educated people living in your city, you need to keep libraries. Only the Buffoon Brothers would suggest the libraries are expendable or be clueless about one of Toronto’s (and Canada’s) pre-eminent, award-winning authors. Obviously neither of the Ford mayors has spent much, if any, time in a library or have used its many resources. People who don’t support the libraries and think it’s o.k. to close branches are the same ones who voted for the Ford mayors – and their ignorance is screaming loud and clear!
Tim Hortons has its rightful place as a great coffee and donut supplier to Canadians but Libraries are the vanguard of a society that values knowledge and learning. When we are long gone as a species and whatever follows us is digging up artifacts I would like to be remembered as a culture that valued learning and the quest to better ourselves not just as consumers.
Can you post entire clip so we can hear the context of this incredibly
sad mistake-in-the -making? Give us more ammo!
WJ
When gross ignorance is paraded out and passed off as sound policy, we have reached the low point in civity and democratic discourse. The offspring of Mrs. Ford’s loins are an emarrassment to the city and to all who hold to a standard of decency. Truth and accuracy means nothing to them. Respect for citizens means nothing to them.
How did such a great city as Toronto get hobbled with this pair of bottom feeders.
The fate of libraries is just one issue. There will be many.
Don’t let these bullies piss on your leg and tell you it’s raining.
Jim
Amen to all who recognize the intrinsic value of our wonderful library system and who care that those who follow us will have the same opportunities offered by the friendly, knowlegeable staffers at our local Toronto Public Library branches.
Privatizing public libraries is a terrible idea. I just visited my small local branch in Vancouver and there were about 30 people there in the middle of the afternoon. Libraries provide a safe place to learn, read, meet friends, use computers and get help from library staff. A young couple I know valued the proximity of a public library in choosing their first home. Libraries benefit everyone, but especially poor and disadvantaged people, who can’t afford to patronize coffee shops or other costly places. Keep public libraries free and public!
The Fords could use some time at the library instead of at Tim Horton’s, judging by the size of their gut. And with their combined IQ of slightly above 70, they should really put in all the reading they can.
[...] City Councillor Doug Ford thinks his city has more libraries than donut shops. In fact: When the Urban Affairs branch closes, Toronto will have 3.9 libraries per 100,000 people, [...]
Maybe Ford should try reading a book.
Based on similar logic; Should we reduce wheel chair access to buildings and streets based on how many ramps Toronto has compared to other cities?
We could save money by only installing one ramp per city block because less than 2% of the population would ever use it… Thousands of dollars would be saved by business every year in electricity costs for wheel chair access doors. Thousands of square feet of real estate would be saved across the city by allocating that space to other purposes.
Since most services and products provided by Toronto businesses can be acquired on the internet, it’s completely plausible that the population negatively affected by this change in publicly provided service would be able to find alternatives easily. Goods could be shipped in from outside the city.
The trickle down effect would save us more money. Waste would no longer be created by those Toronto businesses catering to the active wheel chair community. City spending required to pay to have that waste collected would be reduced. The closing of those businesses would create real estate opportunities…
Doug Ford refers to the branch which is “hidden” by a Shoppers Drug Mart. In spite of this poor location, that branch manages with an annual circulation of over 90,000 irems a year, the sixth lowest in the TPL system. As an ex-chief librarian in Fort William/Thunder Bay, if the Mary J L Black branch had that sort of circuation, I’d be estactic with it. But I would like to know how the Mayor is ging to achieve a 10% reduction in library costs by cutting “unnecessary positions”? What is an “Unnecessary Position” in the 21st century. The Fords still seem to believe in that tired old canard that libraries are only “for wimmen, children and them with weak minds” Peter Mutchler
@John Barnett
“Lastly, Ford’s remark about Timmies was quite obviously meant in a humorous manner.”
Why,might I ask, is Mr Ford making jokes about a very serious issue that will have very serious consequences for the citizens of Toronto and it’s future generations? Mr Ford is a politician. Not a clown. (oh wait..) I do not want to have a Clown running my city. Do you?
I have seen the warnings of fund cuts in libraries for quite few years. Now is the time to show that we love and protect the libraries from the gravy trains.
Etobicoke has THIRTEEN libraries?!
Honestly, if saving money needs to be done (and I wouldn’t want that job!) everyone has to make sacrifices. Toronto has 98 libraries. They are all lovely and important in many ways, I ofcourse realize this. If Toronto had 85 libraries (which is still many more than several major cities in the world have), I think we would all still live. And save money. Nobody likes saving money, but it has to be done.
OR if your library is so valueable, consider paying for using it. Much like… hmmm…. let’s see… Everything else in life. Anyone have a (much) better idea?
I’m an ex-TO resident now residing in Montreal. The one thing I truly miss about TO is the wonderful libraries. There is nothing in Canada that compares to your system. Ford is just showing what an uneducated boor he is by making statements like that. How did this guy get into office??
KEEP OUR LIBRARIES PLEASE
If you want to cut costs, don’t look to library closures or to reducing physical education opportunities to curb costs. Young people especially need these facilities to exercise their minds and bodies. Time to implement a new philosophy, think in the long term effects, not the short term.
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Although the actual libraries themselves are OK, the internet service is terrible. You cant even play games at Yahoo, MSN, etc. Some problem with Java is what they tell me but that was last year.
Does anyone know who provides the internet for the library.