Toronto's libraries could face labour disruption within three weeks, after Ontario's Ministry of Labour filed key legal documents.

The Toronto Public Library Board said Thursday it received notification of a "no-board" report from the minister.

Toronto Public Library Workers' Union CUPE Local 4948, which represents some 2,400 workers, requested the report last week claiming negotiations with the city had reached an impasse.

A no-board report is usually issued if the two sides feel the effort of a provincially-appointed conciliator has not been successful.

The report, if granted by the Minister of Labour, places a 17-day deadline on the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations. The earliest the union could strike or the city could lock out the workers is March 18.

"The library is continuing to bargain in good faith and is committed to a successful resolution of all issues," the Library Board said in a news release.

"Meetings are scheduled over the next few weeks and we expect negotiations to continue as planned. In the meantime, it is business as usual at the library."

Maureen O'Reilly, president of Local 4948, said last week that the union made the request because the city had not shown any interest in "substantive negotiations."

The workers have been without a contract since Jan. 1.

"Toronto Public Library is committed to negotiating a settlement that is fair and reasonable to employees and affordable to the residents of Toronto," the board said.

It also said it has a contingency plan in place if a work stoppage appears imminent.

Toronto Civic Employees Union (CUPE) Local 416, which represents some 6,000 of the city's outside workers, used the same tactic in early January when it also requested a no-board report.

That union reached a four-year deal on Feb. 5.

"I think the issues aren't exactly the same as they were with Local 416 but there are some common issues and then there are some issues they have independent of 416," Toronto Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday told reporters on Thursday.

"Nevertheless we are willing to talk. It is the same situation, we want a deal that is fair to them and fair to the taxpayers."