Library Lovers Lose It in Toronto

But they won’t go quietly.

The Ford Brothers aren’t pleasing many Torontonians lately. While Mayor Rob Ford recently faced backlash for driving while chatting on his cell, his brother, Councilor Doug Ford, faces reared-up readers trying to protect their turf.

After the city announced Toronto libraries would be facing service cuts earlier this year, citizens bonded with an internationally acclaimed author to put up a fight.

Margaret Atwood is currently campaigning with the Toronto Public Library, to keep city reading-realms open.

In response to her involvement, Doug Ford said, “Tell her to go run in the next election and get democratically elected.” I’m not sure why he brings in the voting game here, but it seems out of place. Apparently, all public concerns will fall on deaf ears unless their brought to city hall by an elected official, so says Mr. Ford. What a truly democratic notion, eh?

Beyond his distaste and obvious disrespect of the governmental system, Ford has never addressed one vital fact: statistics from the Toronto Public Library show that usage is rising at the branch. The library saw a 15% increase in checkouts this June compared to June of 2010.

So, of all things, why cut back on a service that is clearly so highly valued and utilized in the community? Plus, people like Ford could use a little read here and there.

You’re on your own here Doug. I’m with Mrs. Atwood on this one. The Blind Assassin (Atwood novel) kills without ever truly understanding his target, and that is a big mistake in my books.