Best Practices for Survival of Libraries in Severe Economic Times

This is a continuously updated post, last updated March 23, 2013

What is our city book lender doing boosting sales at Indigo? By Jonathan Goldsbie -- [extract: In addition to providing information about a particular book, the TPL’s online catalogue now also displays an invitation to “Buy your own copy and support the Toronto Public Library.”]

Middletown libraries ask residents for survival plan --Community liaisons will propose solutions for keeping branches open, BY KEITH HEUMILLER -- Extract: The collective fate of three Middletown library branches slated to close in March is now in the hands of resident volunteers.

The Urban Affairs branch of the Toronto Public Library slated to close

Daniela Germano, Toronto Star, March, 1, 2011 
"The Urban Affairs branch of the Toronto Public Library will be closing it doors for good after months of budget negotiations between the board and city council.
On Tuesday the library board voted to approve its budget, which doesn't include money to keep the branch open..."

On the same shelf:

• How the Urban Affairs Library Got Shut Down, Torontoist

•  The true cost of cutting Toronto's Urban Affairs Library

• Workers protest planned closure of Urban Affairs Library
  
• CTVNews : Library boom @ The Toronto Public Library
  
  

Those who said libraries dead should eat their words

A CITY OF READERS
Toronto Star, Jan 17, 2008. Philip Marchand Entertainment Reporter
Like `everybody's living room,' libraries are vital to civic life, their supporters say.

Toronto culture has its ups and downs, but the city's libraries have always remained solid.

We seem to be, relatively speaking, a city of readers and our library system is supreme in North America – far overshadowing in total circulation, number of branches and number of visits, the library systems of such cities as Chicago and Los Angeles. continue reading

On the same shelf:

• Why We Absolutely Need To Care More About Library Funding
• So what do we lose when we lose libraries? -- Thought for the day
• Five Myths About the 'Information Age'

Librarians at the gate

MILESTONES

Cities worldwide are investing in libraries as never before, hoping for that `Bilbao effect,' the kind of civic shot in the arm only an ambitious building can provide. In its modest way, Toronto is no exception
Nov 03, 2007 04:30 AM Christopher Hume Urban Affairs Columnist, Toronto Star

extract: "...Though long overdue, libraries are finally starting to get the respect they deserve. Despite reports of their demise, they have not only survived the onslaught of civic poverty and computerized knowledge, they have thrived.

Cities around the world are investing in libraries as never before. In some instances, new libraries have created their own "Bilbao effect," changing the very image and perception of a community. The most celebrated example is that of Seattle, which famously hired Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas to design its new main branch. The result is one of the most original buildings of the 21st century. Most remarkable, it isn't just another pretty face; it actually functions.

Even more interesting in some respects was the 2002 "reconstruction" of the legendary Alexandria Library in Egypt. Destroyed in antiquity, it has been now been dramatically replaced by the Norwegian architectural firm, Snohetta.

Though Toronto has nothing of equal significance, we are well into a library rebuilding campaign that for all its modesty has had impressive results. Most of the work has occurred in small neighbourhood branches such as Runnymede, Malvern and the Beach. A total of 12 buildings have been renovated so far; next year another six will be completed.

Now, the biggest city library of all, the Toronto Reference Library on Yonge St. just north of Bloor, is undergoing renovation. The fact that the building opened 30 years ago this week brings extra meaning to the project, which couldn't have come at a better time.

... But does our attitude toward libraries allow us to view them as cultural facilities?

In Toronto it seems we understand them as being somewhere between a public work and an educational institution.

They are both, of course, but more. In its essence, the library is a repository of knowledge, as well as an archive and place of learning. Nothing could be nobler, but we prefer they remain in the public sector, paid for with tax dollars." continue reading

• See also in same shelf and aisle: Toronto Reference Library renovation update And a comment on the above article : "That is exciting news... Hume downplays the success of the Toronto Library system, but it is an extremely successful organization, with few equals on the continent. I would be very happy to see the Reference Library updated. The interior skeleton has potential, but it cries out for help."