June 29, 1998

Councillor Tom Jakobek

City of Toronto

City Hall

100 Queen Street West, Suite 02

Toronto, Ontario M5H 2N2

Dear Mr. Jakobek:

 The Toronto Public Library Board has asked that I write to you to request deferral of the report on library branches and hours to September.

 Staff are working on a service level review and rationalization study called Service Planning and Evaluation Framework, as requested by the City's Budget Committee. It will complement the amalgamation processes already underway which will result in the majority of downsizing and cost=-savings for the Library. The Framework document will be a reference manual designed to assist in the rationalization, harmonization and review of services and branch libraries. Because the document is comprehensive in scope and will be the guide to re-structuring library services over the next few critical years of amalgamation, it is too important to rush to meet an earlier time-line. I trust that you will concur.

 Thank-you for your consideration in this matter.

 Yours truly,

 Frances Schwenger

 for Josephine Bryant

City Librarian