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TORONTO (February 11, 2014) – The Toronto Public Library Board met on February 10 at the Toronto Reference Library. Key topics discussed include:

Operating Budget

The Board adopted the 2014 operating budget of $184.17 million gross funded with $167.59 million of City funding and $16.58 million of other revenue.

The 2014 budget includes funding for the first year operating costs of two new branches, Fort York and Scarborough Civic Centre. It also includes funding for increased open hours at seven district libraries and the Toronto Reference Library, standardizing hours for all research and reference libraries and district branches to 69 hours per week, including Sundays.

The net budget represents a 1.4% increase over the 2013 budget.

Capital Budget

The Board also adopted the 2014 – 2023 capital budget and plan of $242.84 million gross ($154.47 debt), which includes a 2014 budget of $26.93 million gross ($13.23 million debt).

This budget allows the Library to meet its current capital needs while also addressing some of its state of good repair backlog. It includes funding for several 2014 activities: completing the renovations or construction at the Toronto Reference Library, Scarborough Civic Centre and Fort York branches, as well as the Library’s processing centre. Renovations of the Albion district branch will also begin in 2014.

Digital Innovation Hubs

A presentation highlighted the library’s  official opening of the Library’s  Digital Innovation Hub initiative. The Library’s first hub opened on February 4, 2014 at the Toronto Reference Library. The Digital Innovation Hub provides access to new technologies like 3D printers and scanners, Raspberry Pi computers, Arduino kits, high definition video cameras and audio mixers, and is intended to be a collaborative space where people can connect and learn from each other.

There has been widespread interest and enthusiasm about the digital innovation hub from the public, media and digital innovation industry insiders.

Two more hubs are scheduled to open later this year at Fort York and Scarborough Civic Centre branches.  

The Toronto Public Library Board will meet again on Monday, March 24 at 6 pm at the Toronto Reference Library.

Toronto Public Library is one of the world's busiest urban public library systems. Every year, 19 million people visit our branches in neighbourhoods across the city and borrow 32 million items. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit our website at torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131. To get the most current updates on what's happening at the library, follow us on Twitter @torontolibrary.

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Media Contact:

Ana-Maria Critchley, 416-393-7212, media@torontopubliclibrary.ca