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A p R I L ’ 9 9 LIBRARY NEWS "i&oofcraofeile i§ SO y^m OW! The first bookmobile to serve West Vancouver was purchased second-hand from Burnaby in 1969for $2,000. It was repainted and the Municipal logo was added. For the next seven years it visited schools in West Vancouver. In 1977 it was replaced by a converted Value Van. The focus shifted about this time to service to seniors. In 1992, the present bookmobile was purchased. It is much larger and the interior was designed to specifically meet our needs. The purchase of this vehicle was generously supported by the Friends of the Library who provided over $22,000 towards its purchase. Today, the bookmobile holds approximately 2,000 items including a full range of library materials for patrons of all interests and ages. It is on the road four days a week and visits all of the seniors ’ residences in West Vancouver. In addition it makes several public stops in the areas such as Caulfeild, Klahanie Court and Horseshoe Bay. Our principal driver is Miriam Sherman. She is ably backed up by Robyn Willis and Pam Douglas. All of the drivers are required to have Class 3 licenses and have attended truckers ’ school. Staff see the Bookmobile as an extension of the Library and focus on bringing its resources out to their patrons. They are well known for the friendly, helpful service they provide. If you would like more information about the bookmobile call 925-7402. JoiD US for # April 26, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Peter J. Peters Meeting Room WEST VANCOUVER MEMORIAL LIBRARY 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, BC,V7V 1J8 Tel: (604) 925-7400 Library Hours: (604) 925-7401 Fax: (604) 925-5933 Modem Acc.: 925-7409 URL: WWW wvml.jeslacs.be.ca/start/ REFERENCE SERVICES To cooriJinate our collection with the current provincially drenched political uproar, the Reference Department has received the newly released Report on Gaming Legislation and Regulation in British Columbia. Another acquisition, but of a sharply contrasting theme, is the Encyclopedia of Underwater and Maritime Archaeol- ogy. While most archaeological works in our collection cover land-based excavations and discoveries, there is little to be found on humanity’s ocean-submerged past. This text is extensively illustrated and cross-referencecl for easy retrieval of information. Even further divorced from the above themes is the new Ultimate Encyclopedia of Fantasy, a title for the serious researcher and the curious reader alike. “Frankenstein foods” is the new phrase erupting from global news flashes these days. Other terms for the same thing are “X-foods” and “GMO” (Genetically Modified Organisms). Of course we are talking about genetically altered and irradiated foods found on the shelves of the grocery stores. One of the aims besides patenting genetically engineered seeds, which is feared to be the only ones allowed in the future, is the attempt to create pest- resistant crops or foods that have a longer retail shelf life. These terms are loaded with negative images because many consumer groups are concerned not only with the dubious effects on health, but also small, family and organic farmers are finding their rights to use a variety of seeds are being eroded. The company most commonly associated with “Frankenstein foods” is the huge, US-based, transnational biotechnology company, Monsanto. There are many others, however: the German-based AgrEvo/ Plant Genetic Systems, the Swiss-based Novartis/ Hilleshdg, the UK-based Sharpes International Seeds Ltd., and the UK-based Advanced Technologies (Cambridge) Ltd., to name just a handful of some 30 major players in the “GMO” industry. (Source: Internet iiilesj ULT SERVIQES IN THE GALLERY ... “The Miracle of Flowers” - oils and watercolours by Vancouver artist David Payne will be on display in the Library April 6 - May 2,1999. David paints his flowers big and bold so that they demand attention while retaining their unique and fragile nature. Painting for him is a way of life - he paints what he loves and he loves what he paints. David’s art can be found in business establishments and private collections in Ontario, British Columbia and Japan. Reception, artist in attendance, April 6, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. Most paintings are for sale. APRIL ... in Paris, London or Rome ... the joy of warmer days and longer evenings and dreams of distant places where the sea meets the sky ... if travel is on your mind your library has an excellent selectioi of travel guides, maps, hotel guides, videos and foreign language phrase books to stir the imagination and set you on your way. We offer a few suggestions ... (914 FRO) Frommer’s Europe From $50 A Day: Frugal Traveler’s Guides. (914.4 BRl) BRISTOW, PHIL'P Through The French Canals A comprehensive gu:de to the waterways of France. Includes information on locks, waterway signals, cost of living and shopping. (914.436 POZ) POZZOLI, MILENA ERCOLE Paris: Places And History Full-colour photographs and infonnative text reveal the sple idours of this wonderful city. 73