The quiet attack on our public library

“We’re going to be outsourcing everything that is not nailed down”
Doug Ford – Feb 6, 2011

More Libraries than TimsIn place of the Fords’ wrecking ball approach to our public library, which failed because Torontonians forcefully and explicitly rejected it, a longer-term strategy of undermining our public library is at work.

New fees, fines and acquisition cuts are having their intended affect. The latest information we have about usage rates shows fewer people are using our public library. Without a renewed commitment, these trends are likely to continue making our public library an easier target for future attacks.

Isn’t it time City Hall valued our public library like we do?

FOR and AGAINST

Votes speak louder than words.

City councillors had their first real chance to defend our public library during the 2012 budget vote. Here’s how they voted on the Ford Administration’s plan to cut 10% from the Toronto Public Library budget:

AGAINST the Ford cut

FOR  the Ford cut

Maria Augimeri
Ana Bailão
Shelley Carroll
Raymond Cho
Josh Colle
Janet Davis*
Glenn De Baeremaeker
Sarah Doucette*
John Filion
Paula Fletcher
Mary Fragedakis
Mike Layton
Chin Lee
Gloria Lindsay Luby
Josh Matlow
Pam McConnell
Mary-Margaret
McMahon
Joe Mihevc
Gord Perks
Anthony Perruzza
Adam Vaughan
Kristyn Wong-Tam 

Paul Ainslie*
Michelle Berardinetti
Gary Crawford
Vincent Crisanti
Mike Del Grande
Frank Di Giorgio
Doug Ford
Rob Ford
Mark Grimes
Doug Holyday
Norman Kelly
Giorgio Mammoliti
Peter Milczyn
Denzil Minnan-Wong
Frances Nunziata (Chair)
Cesar Palacio*
John Parker
Jaye Robinson*
David Shiner
Karen Stintz
Michael Thompson 

Absent/Abstain

Ron Moeser

James Pasternak (declared conflict of interest)

* Member of the Toronto Public Library Board

As the chair of the Toronto Public Library Board, Councillor Paul Ainslie is supposed to protect our public library, making his decision to support Mayor Ford’s damaging cuts startling.

Even though Ford’s 10% cut was rejected, taking about $7 million from the chopping block, Council still voted to reduce the TPL’s budget by almost 6% in 2012. As a result, services were cut, fewer books added to the collection and measures taken that discourage use of this great learning and knowledge institution.

 

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