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The high usage of the library by patrons meant expensive manual handling, so automation was required to produce a cost saving. An automation committee was formed and a consultant was hired, the committee to prepare a feasibility study on library costs with and without automation. A proposal was approved by the Board on December 16, 1980, and a Computer Services Agreement was signed by the District of West Vancouver in January, 1981 between the Corporation and Universal Library Systems. The computer would be housed at the Municipal Hall. The library was therefore the first to install a fully automated circulation and cataloguing system; it went into effect in January 1982. Once in operation, this system would be a great aid to efficiency in the administration of the library, handling all circulation data, including reserve and overdue records. And by making information on book use readily available, it would make it much easier for management to base its book purchases on the needs and interests of the borrowers. In January, 1982, before the actual change-over to automation was complete, Don Mills (the Chief Librarian) left to be head of library services in Winnipeg, after less than four years at West Vancouver Library, but he made a significant contribution to its development. On March 8, 1982 Jack Mounce assumed the duties of Chief Librarian and brought a great deal of knowledge and practical experience from his background in library administration, which would prove very beneficial to the library as it entered another phase of its development and its staff were coping with the transition to sophisticated technology. The second phase of the system was under way and by October, 1982 three terminals were in place in the library for patron use. The official opening of the hew system was held on December 4, 1982. The Friends of the Library had raised $750 selling raffle tickets for autographed books by local authors; the money went to purchase a cabinet for rare books. The Friends also served tea, coffee and cookies (of course). Services provided by the computer were continuing to be developed; after cataloguing by subject, it was programmed to give information by "Key" words. Automation of the library was an ongoing process. The original computer was replaced and updated and Roy Hunter was made manager of the project. The new computer was installed in February, 1987 and was not housed in the Municipal Hall but in a small room on the lower floor of the library, sealed against dust and given air-conditioning and humidity control. A new Technical Services Department was created with Roy Hunter as Head. This new system enabled anyone with a personal computer and modem to dial into the library computer and gain any of the information available on the patron terminals. ....../3