Information kiosks or excuses for advertising

Info-to-Go kiosk in Toronto. Photo from Kramer Design.

Today's Toronto Star has this letter to the editor by Carol Collins, "Information kiosks mar beauty of city" about the new Info-To-Go dispensers that are being placed in highly pedestrian-trafficked locations in the center city.

"It is sad to see the entryways to Queen's Park (and other select city locations) marred by the new Info-To-Go map dispensers the city has recently put up. These clam-shaped kiosks currently display advertising posters for leather clothing on the outside with little indication that a map of the city is on the inside. Eventually, a print copy of the map will be dispensed from the kiosk, but this feature is not currently working.

Can these information kiosks really be justified as a tourist aid or are they just another excuse for billboard advertising and miniscule city revenue? And if the main purpose of these eyesores is to help visitors find their way around town, shouldn't the posters at least promote Toronto's tourist attractions?"

I have to stay that I don't mind the idea, and even the design is kind of interesting, although I don't know about the glass top. But it is a design that fits with Toronto's bus shelters and other street furniture.

There is no question that we can do a lot better job in helping people make their way around the city, not just with information about historic sites and history, like the various trail signs, but with what is happening today.

Click here for the press release on the Info-to-Go program.