Margaret Atwood on libraries, graffiti and democracy

[CHIMO]

The hero of all this is not me and the issue is not me. I can’t emphasize that enough. The hero is the people of Toronto and the issue is libraries. It’s true that I have been a kind of focus, but that is not the issue.

If people had not felt very strongly about their libraries and also about the fact that you do not have to be elected to express an opinion — not in a democracy — then nothing would have happened. Sure, I was maybe a little match but the big fire was other people and the marathon meeting — I think that was the first time that has ever happened. I don’t think there’s ever been a 22-hour-long council meeting and I don’t think there’s ever been so many people turning out for one.

Expressing contempt for creative people turns people away from Toronto as a venue and that’s a pretty serious consideration. If you’re thinking of having a convention, you’re thinking of having a concert, you’re thinking of going to a festival, and that’s the attitude? Why wouldn’t you spend your dollars somewhere else?

You start with tossing off latte drinkers, gay pride and bicycle riders and me, what’s the message? The message is ‘We don’t want you people here.’ I’m sure Hamilton or Burlington or Oshawa would be very happy if some of those festivals and conventions moved there. Why shouldn’t I spend my creative dollar in New York if I’m not welcome in Toronto?

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1033779--margaret-atwood-on-libraries-graffiti-and-democracy

[CHIMO]

1. Another Ford loyalist speaks out against library cuts

Another councillor in Mayor Rob Ford’s inner circle is distancing themselves from a proposal to close libraries.

When asked Wednesday if she would support library closures to save money, Councillor Frances Nunziata (Ward 11, York South-Weston) said “no, of course not” and that if anything, branches should be better utilized to host more city programs.

“I don’t think there’s a will on council to close libraries,” said Nunziata. “I think we have to make better use of what we have… these are great facilities for programming.”

First it was right-winger James Pasternak (Ward 10, York Centre). Then TTC chair Karen Stintz (Ward 16, Eglinton-Lawrence). Now Nunziata, who is the council speaker and one of Ford’s longest and most loyal supporters.

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1034189--another-ford-loyalist-speaks-out-against-library-cuts?bn=1

[shockedcanadian]

2. Closing libraries doesn’t sit well with Toronto councillors

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/closing-libraries-doesnt-sit-well-with-toronto-councillors/article2120328/

Call it the Atwood effect. At least half-a-dozen more city councillors – including several members of mayor Rob Ford’s inner circle – have added their names to the growing list of prominent Torontonians speaking out against potential library closings.

Those sentiments clash with a recent KPMG review of city services that suggests shuttering libraries as a cost-saving measure, a proposal to which the mayor’s brother, Etobicoke Councillor Doug Ford, lent his hearty support.

The Globe and Mail took a straw poll of councillors whose wards contain the city’s 30 lowest-circulation libraries and found that Mr. Ford would find little agreement on council, even among political allies. Here is a sampling of those views....

[Name removed]

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