Much more than books

The case for robust funding for the Toronto Public Library

https://www.policyalternatives.ca/news-research/much-more-than-books/

“Executive summary

The Toronto Public Library is a vital institution that is deeply integrated into the cultural, social, and intellectual life of Torontonians. It not only provides access to knowledge but also plays a crucial role in supporting the community through programs that enrich lives, improve digital literacy, and help residents navigate the complexities of modern life.

Despite its critical role, the Toronto Public Library’s budget has been stagnant at a time when the system faces growing pressures. Library funding has not kept pace with increased social needs and rising operational costs, leaving the library vulnerable as it confronts challenges such as aging infrastructure. At the same time, as population grows and unmet social demands rise, library staff are being asked to do more with limited resources, stretching the system’s capacity to serve the public effectively.

Currently, the library depends overwhelmingly on the City of Toronto for its operational and capital funding. Over the past decade, provincial transfers have decreased, leaving the library increasingly reliant on constrained municipal resources.

• In 1992, the Provincial Library Operating Grant provided 6.3 per cent of the Toronto Public Library budget. In 2013, that number was just 2.4 per cent.

While investment from the City of Toronto has kept the library’s overall inflation-adjusted revenue (although not its revenue per Torontonian) roughly unchanged, the over-reliance on city funding imposes several constraints on the Toronto Public Library. Like every Canadian municipality, Toronto has few tools available to raise revenue, putting it in a vulnerable position when it comes to funding investment in services, including library systems.

At the same time, the Toronto Public Library is a beloved and popular institution, receiving more in-person visitors annually than the city’s top tourist attractions. In 2023, data shows that:

• Toronto’s libraries lend more materials overall and have a higher per capita circulation rate than those in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
• 90 per cent of city residents agreed that the Toronto Public Library is “an important resource” for the community.
• 81 per cent of city residents use city libraries’ services and facilities.
• The use of library services is highly democratic, with usage cutting across all income lines.
• Library branches had over 12 million in-person visits in 2023 and almost 1.2 million registered cardholders.
• The Toronto Public Library attracts more annual visitors than the Distillery District, the CN Tower, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, Casa Loma and the Hockey Hall of Fame combined.
• Seventy-five per cent of users accessed its collections, while 50 per cent used branches for reading, studying, or access to technology.
• Over 740,000 participants attended more than 34,000 in-person and virtual programs and events.

Libraries play a crucial role in communities by fostering learning, civic development, and intellectual freedom. They provide educational spaces for all ages, support disadvantaged groups through digital literacy and skill-building programs, and serve the public’s interests in ways that private platforms cannot. In cities like Toronto, where income inequality is evident, libraries act as inclusive spaces that bring together diverse populations.”