Junction Triangle

Consultants reports are dime a dozen and in some cases like with Rob Ford they are preordained to fit an existing ideology. The KMPG studies were considered by most to be leading on their scope and somewhat rigged to a "Sygma 6" management way of looking at the world (which is a methodology that I don't agree with in terms of measuring value.) . Cutting everything by 10% is just an arbitrary number that Rob Ford pulled from his hat and these studies about finding "efficiencies" is just cover to make cuts whether they are needed or not.

First off:
"DPRA’s report does not precisely explain how it arrived at its rankings of branch performance. A company official did not respond to a request for comment." First alarm bell has gone off for me. If you cant explain your criteria then your report should be tossed.

Second:
The report created a list "identifying 14 specific “underperforming” branches for “consolidation.” Alarm bell goes off again as what exactly is the definition of an underpreforming branch? If you look at the list most of the branches are the small local ones with small circulations. These consultants probably got paid a whack of our money and just looked at the 14 smallest branches and that's it. Wow what a study. Actual library stats show that the Perth Dupont branch is seeing large increases in circulation and usage so obviously it is getting busier. "Underperorming"? Compared to what?

Third:
I guess these branches would be sold off and the money put into general revenue. Oh I think I know what the actual criteria for this study was. : )

Eventually people will figure out Ford's shell game and people will see that City Government is not a business and cannot be run like a business and these daft consultant reports will go on to a shelf like most do, never see the light of day again. The best news though is this:

"The recommendation is certain to be ignored. City council emphatically rejected any branch closures after another consulting firm suggested them in the summer."

Bailao's closing line is one of the most intelligent things that has been said about Libraries and City services in general. When you gut a city it declines, when you maintain a cultural and intellectual life it flourishes and brings jobs and tax base with it. The Ford brothers seem to be the only 2 people in Toronto who dont love our Library. They just a third rail; I think our branches are safe. Note by the way that circulation is not a clear indicator of usage.