“This service matters to me because I use it to work in. I also take my daughter here to take books out to read at home. Internet access is free and it’s a quiet place to work. It’s near my house.”
Librarians have played a crucial role in keeping Toronto libraries open, free, accessible and public. The Toronto Public Library Staff Association was founded in 1910, with just under 30 members. The association evolved into a union which is now Toronto Public Library Workers Union Local 4948 and represents 2 400 members. Most TPL workers are women and most work part-time. Many part-time workers would like to work full-time, but there are few openings for full-time positions. According to the Toronto Public Library Workers Union: “Since Toronto city amalgamated in 1998, Toronto Public Library materials circulation has increased by 24 per cent. During that same time, staffing levels have decreased by 9 per cent.”
Bloor Gladstone Memory Archive