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Before it was over 1,800 people had donated and the business district yielded some quite large donations. One interesting endeavour was the "Sacrifice Shop," run by volunteers, all articles for sale being donated. By December 1948, the Library Fund had raised $16,000 (Sacrifice Shop $3,500, canvas $8,500 plus $4,000 from the previous year's door-to-door canvas). Col. Smart requested a Municipal grant of $8,000 to $10,000 so that construction could start right away. There was some delay by Council and further opposition to the library on estimated costs from the Fire Hall advocates (even when the library referendrum had long been approvedl). Col. Smart insisted that the cost figures were reliable and, since much of the labour and materials had been promised at cost, $35,000 was a maximum figure. He had also looked into the possibility of Vancouver Public Library operating West Vancouver's library as a branch and it could be, in a sense, a branch library and therefore subject to the same benefits. A special library Trust Fund of $2,000 from 1949 surplus funds was set up to be available upon the Library Committee reaching its goal of $35,000. There was now $18,000 available, enough to start construction, if not to finish it. If people could see construction happening, it would be easier to solicit donations. The sod-turning ceremony took place on May 27th, 1950, and from there there was no turning back. West Van's library was on the way. Gifts and donations poured in. Due to the generous donations of labour, furnishings and expertise, the building itself cost just under $20,000, considerably less than any of the estimates. The official opening was planned for Remembrance Day, November 11th, 1950 in keeping with the Memorial theme. (The street number, 1950, resulted from its location in the 1900 block of Marine Drive and the year of its opening). This beautiful little library, constructed of native-stone and wood, situated across from Memorial Park, was a fitting monument to the fallen, and it was a truly community effort. West Vancouverites had a right to be proud that day. So many people had donated, each according to his own means and talents. Col. George Smart, whose drive and enthusiasm played a big part in the final stages tells the pertinent facts, and thanks all those whose efforts and generosity made it possible: 'This building has been financed from some 2,000 public subscribers from West Vancouver with $2,000 added by your Municipal Council. It was designed by a well-known West Vancouver architect, R.A.D. Berwick. Its construction was voluntarily completed by West Vancouver contractors, Norman Hullah, Helge Pearson, A.M. Stevens, Edward Baynes and Ray Clarke. These men's advice and direction were their donation to the