Latest Consultant Report Commissioned by Ford Administration Recommends Closure of 14 Libraries – Only Reprieve is for Northern Elms Library in Brother Doug’s Ward

It just doesn't stop.

Here is the final report produced by DPRA Consultants (in Association with LeisurePlan International) commissioned by the City of Toronto to look for "efficiencies" to meet Ford's 10% cut. 

In spite of the overwhelming support Torontonians have shown for their public libraries, here are some of the recommendations contained in this report released yesterday:

Close the following branches:


1.       Swansea (Ward 13-Parkdale-High Park, Sarah Doucette)
2.       Todmordon Room (Ward 29-Toronto Danforth,  Mary Fragedakis)
3.       Davenport (Ward 21-St. Paul’s, Joe Mihevc)
4.       Queen/Saulter (Ward 30-Toronto Danforth, Paula Fletcher) 
5.       Taylor  (Ward 36-Scarborough Southwest, Gary Crawford)
6.       St. Clair/Silverthorn (Ward 17-Davenport, Cesar Palacio)
7.       Victoria Village (Ward 33-Don Valley East, Denzil Minnan-Wong) 
8.       Evelyn Gregory (Ward 12-York South-Weston, Frank Di Giorgio)
9.       Long Branch (Ward 6-Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Mark Grimes) 
10.   Perth/Dupont (Ward 18-Davenport, Ana Bailao) 
11.   Mount Pleasant (Ward 22-St. Paul's, Josh Matlow)
12.   Humber Bay (Ward 5-Etobicoke Lakeshore, Peter Milczyn)
13.   Pleasantview (Ward 33-Don Valley East, Shelley Carroll)
14.   Jones (Ward 14-Toronto Danforth, Paula Fletcher)

Why?  Because they are "underperforming."

Northern Elms Library, which ranks 4^th in terms of “underperformance” is receiving a reprieve.  This library is in Ward 2-Etobicoke North, Doug Ford.  The reason cited was the demographic circumstances of the neighbourhood, physical geographic barriers and limited proximity to other branches.

Old City of Toronto of course takes a disproportionate hit – just as it did with the hours – with 7 of the 15 branches slated for closure.


Stay tuned for futher developments.

If you haven't done so already, please sign and share the petition at ourpubliclibrary.to
  

Citizens who wish to make a deputation to the City of Toronto Budget Committee at City Hall on December 7 must submit their name by December 6 to buc@toronto.ca.

Citizens who wish to make a deputation to the Toronto Public Library Board meeting on December 12 (at the Toronto Reference Library at 6 pm)  must submit their name by Friday December 9  to Nancy Marshall nmarshall@torontopubliclibrary.ca