T.O. libraries forced to cut $1.2 million

Cost cutting is on the books at the Toronto Public Library.

Service cuts, including closing 16 of 27 branches on Sundays from September to December, a hiring freeze and fewer new books on the shelf, were agreed to by the library board yesterday in a move that slashed $1.2 million from its 2007 operating budget.

All city agencies, boards, committees and divisions were told to look at cost-cutting measures after city council chose last week to defer a vote on Mayor David Miller’s proposed new taxes.