In 2009, as chair of the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries, I issued a statement which illustrated the idea that public libraries do not operate in isolation (inter library loans) and that public libraries are more than books.

As point of measurement of societal and economic trends, libraries are like canaries in the coal mine. In light of this, why would the Ford government slash budgets of (Ontario Library Services North and Southern Ontario Library Services) agencies that facilitate this when they have such a significant economic impact on communities in Ontario?

"There is significant evidence to demonstrate that libraries experience an increase of use ... during an economic downturn. People know that no matter what is happening in the economy, they can get the information,services and assistance they need from the public library.- Marzio Apolloni, Chair,Board of Directors of the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries"

Deja vu,all over again (Yogi Bera)

Marzio Apolloni, retired CEO, Bruce County Library