We are both heavy users of the TPL. When the City of Toronto amalgamated with the other five parts of Metro Toronto, that brought more library branches under the TPL umbrella - 100 at last count. So our access to books widened.
We are also donors to the TPL Foundation because we believe in public libraries - and will fight to defend their right to hold events that we ourselves may find offensive, and to stock books we may not want to read (our kids are adults and can decide for themselves!).
I never minded paying fines on overdue books when those were in force because I knew the monies went directly into the TPL, not the general city revenues.
I have no data, only personal experience, but the Vancouver library system seems to me to run well. There were a few hiccups with the digital transformation, but it now works fine - the urge was resisted to over complicate it. There is often a long wait for some books. Eg, I am now 70th in line, down from 90th, for 10 copies of one book. But it does not matter. Lots of books are available to take out immediately. My neighbourhood branch is usually busy with people of all ages companionably crammed in. The building in which my branch sits is somewhat overdue to be upgraded, but that is finally scheduled for next year. I wonder what will happen to them all as they must disperse next year.
We are both heavy users of the TPL. When the City of Toronto amalgamated with the other five parts of Metro Toronto, that brought more library branches under the TPL umbrella - 100 at last count. So our access to books widened.
We are also donors to the TPL Foundation because we believe in public libraries - and will fight to defend their right to hold events that we ourselves may find offensive, and to stock books we may not want to read (our kids are adults and can decide for themselves!).
I never minded paying fines on overdue books when those were in force because I knew the monies went directly into the TPL, not the general city revenues.
I have no data, only personal experience, but the Vancouver library system seems to me to run well. There were a few hiccups with the digital transformation, but it now works fine - the urge was resisted to over complicate it. There is often a long wait for some books. Eg, I am now 70th in line, down from 90th, for 10 copies of one book. But it does not matter. Lots of books are available to take out immediately. My neighbourhood branch is usually busy with people of all ages companionably crammed in. The building in which my branch sits is somewhat overdue to be upgraded, but that is finally scheduled for next year. I wonder what will happen to them all as they must disperse next year.
Good to hear. And I can solve your long wait issue, too: it looks like there are copies of *my* books available right now: https://vpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/search?query=Clinton%2C%20David%20(IT%20specialist)&searchType=author
Noted!