Library board rejects controversial cuts, could still be pushed around by city council

The Toronto library board may still have to cut its budget, but it won’t rely on Sunday branch closures or reduced operating hours to do so. The proposed cuts come in response to Mayor Rob Ford’s request that city departments reduce their budgets by 10 per cent, something that’s proving surprisingly difficult since, apparently, people really like books and being able to read them for free. Without closing branches or reducing hours, the board could be forced to find other ways to cut spending, or it could make like the police and simply ignore Ford’s request (which would probably require a bit of political grandstanding—but Councillor Janet Davis is encouraging her fellow board members to do it all the same). At any rate, city council has the final say on library cuts, which could serve as an interesting barometer for various councillors’ loyalty to the mayor and his agenda. Read the entire story [Toronto Star] »