As demand for library services grows, Toronto Public Library continues to work with the Toronto Public Library Foundation, the City of Toronto, and community partners to explore new opportunities while containing costs and maintaining quality. For customers, self-service checkout is now available at all library branches with return check-in sorters at 13 larger locations. Online payment is now available for customer convenience, and a new sorter has been introduced, which processes and arrange books by scanning barcodes for quick delivery to customers. Toronto Public Library staff are equipped with the technology, skills and training to support users, to innovate and evolve services and deliver these services to Torontonians.
Key Achievements:
- The Toronto Public Library Foundation raised $2.8 million to support service enhancements, and Toronto Public Library supported these fundraising efforts throughout the year.
- A record number of images from special collections were digitized, allowing better accessibility and quicker availability for students, researchers and enthusiasts, including many Toronto Star photographs now to be found in the Digital Archive.
- For the convenience of customers, online fines payment was introduced, allowing customers to easily pay their fines anytime and anywhere.
- A much loved cornerstone in the community and Carnegie building, Weston Library celebrated 100 years of service to the community.
- Toronto Reference Library completed a five year renovation, adding more services and value to visitors.
- Fort York Toronto Public Library's 99th branch, opened with much fanfare!
- One of the busiest branches in North York, Fairview branch reopened after a closure.