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May 1993 WEST VANCOUVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY Page 7 THE WEST VANCOUVER MEMORIAL LIBRARY With the latest addition to the Library expected to be open early in September it is timely to draw attention to the history of the Library facilities in West Vancouver. The fillowing introduces some background infirmation on the history of Library service in the Municipality. As a result of a referendum held on December 13, 1947 it was decided that a new Library - to be called The West Vancouver Memorial Library - be erected as a fitting memorial to those local men and women who had been killed in the recent war. A total of 72 names of ex-servicemen and women appeared in The Book of Remembrance. The original intention was to allow West Vancouver people access to a wider knowledge of the world, its peoples and problems, which, it was felt, only a well stocked library could provide. It was also thought that a deeper appreciation of world affairs would lead to greater understanding between the different peoples of the world. The Library was to be sited directly across the road from the West Vancouver Memorial Arch, where Remembrance Day Services were held, and it was to be built entirely by voluntary subscription - the original total required to provide the building and equipment being Thirty-five Thousand Dollars. Since that time, of course, the Library has had several additions made to it and at the present date a further extensive building programme is being carried out. It is hoped that the work will be completed within the next few months, but meantime the Library staff are coping wonderfully well under difficult conditions. It seems that we in West Vancouver are great readers who encourage our children to read and use the Library in ever greater numbers - hence the need for this father extension. In fact our Library is one of the most heavily used Libraries in the whole of Canada - surely a record of which we can all be proud. Much of the credit for the Library’s popularity lies in the hands of the Library Board and the Staff who are always available and helpful - whether the queries we have are simple, everyday questions, or requests for some abstruse and difficult to obtain information - they are always kind and efficient and usually manage to fill our requirements in fairly fast order. The staff have been particularly patient during the construction period which started in the early spring of 1992 and which has disrupted the normal operations of the library. Parking has been a constant irritant for patrons during this period and all complaints have been handled with such patience and understanding that few problems have not been resolved immediately. The new addition will more than double the present floor space of the present library and will provide for additional services as well as shelving space for many books now stored off premises. Construction has reached a point where integration of the old and new facilities may begin as early May, with the official opening tentatively scheduled for early in September. Once the building is complete there will be a special Opening Ceremony when many old friends of the Library will be present. We hope that in the future we may feature their special memories of the Library in several funher articles on this subject, hopefully, with especial emphasis on the beautiful stained glass window which so many of us have loved over the years. The Dream is Finally Fulfilled Or is it just the End of FULFILLING A DRUM West Vancouver Memorial Library Another Chapter in a Continuing Story ? 1919-1990 By Sally Carswell D.W.Friesen & Sons Ltd. $15 As the latest of three addidons to the original 1950 West Vancouver Memorial Library is about to open it is fortimate that this definitive history of public library service in the Municipality is still available. Any one seriously interested in the history of West Vanco uver must have a copy of this book. Copies are available for sale at the check out counter of the library. Sally Carswell has managed to inject into her thoroughly researched text an insight into the human aspect of this remarkable institution that could only be gained by one intimately familiar with the library. Anyone at all knowledgeable about local history will find a parade of familiar names passing through the chapters, many of them of them in surprising roles. For the serious student of West Vancouver history Sally has included some clues regarding source material to be found within the library’s reference files. If you miss them check with the Reference Librarians. They are indeed as helpfid as Sally would have you believe!