Toronto Public Library to Introduce Ads to Back of Due-Date Slips

A move by the Toronto Public Library (TPL) connects with the discussion of issues concerning library funding, particularly concerning sponsorship and advertising in libraries, as well as library neutrality. According to the Toronto Star, library due-date slips will feature advertisements on the back of the paper by the end of the month or early next month. This is a six-month pilot project that will save the library approximately $20,000.

Only a handful of advertisers have committed to the project, including “a newspaper, a continuing education institution, and a cultural production”. It is noted that advertisements targeting children will not be permitted. The full TPL Advertising Policy is available online.

Nonprofit Quarterly has produced an article which contains more information on the TPL initiative as well as the advertising initiatives of other public libraries in the United States.