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Chief Librarian's Report ♦ It was a record year for the Library with more than 972,000 loans and close to 500,00 visits to the Library. The staff rose to the challenge of this high volume of activity. 5,000 new books and 3,000 a.v. items were added to the collection. ♦ The carpeting in the West Wing was replaced, the lighting in the main hall upgraded, and the slope and configuration of the entry area changed. ♦ A donation of $2,000 from CIBC, supplemented by a donation of $1,100 by the Friends, enabled the Youth Services Department to begin acquiring a circulating CD-ROM collection. ♦ Near the end of 1996, the provincial government's severe reduction in the grants provided to municipalities meant that councils everywhere had to cope with a dramatically new financial situation. The West Vancouver Council is currently engaged on a review of its services and finances, and it seems likely that we will be seeing a reduction in revenues. It is hoped that service levels will not be severely impacted. Treasurer's Report Irene Caudwell referred to her written report which indicated a balance of $26,161.65. She also noted some outstanding commitments, including main hall furnishing with a Friends commitment of $1,600; an undertaking to pay up to $2,500 for an architect's feasibility study for the solarium; and the contribution to the circulating CD-ROM collection of $1,100. The balance of funds available for distribution is thus $20,961.65. The financial statement and the balance sheet, along with a budget for 1997, wall shortly be forwarded to the registrar of companies in Victoria. The meeting agreed that $3,000 be contributed for the renovation of the Elizabeth Musto Room. Nominations Committee At our AGM on the following officers were elected: President: Eileen de Bues Vice President: Joanna Knight Treasurer: Ron Lucas Secretary: Carmina Davila Congratulations to the above, and "thank you" to the Nominations Committee - Betty Neilson and Natalie Logan. Board Liaison The Library Board held their AGM on January 15, and Barbara Cupit told us that: ♦ The process for hiring a new Chief Librarian was well underway, and the Selection Committee hoped to take a recommendation to the Board in February. Jack Mounce will be retiring at the end of April, and will be greatly missed by the Friends. ♦ The Board has studied the possibilities of improving libraty sendee in the western part of the community; the progress on a proposed western community centre will have some bearing on this. Membership Membership at the end of 1996 was 126, with 43 new members joining during the year. Welcome to Patricia Treadwell who joined in December. We are pleased to welcome back the following, who rejoined the Friends in December: Tom and Majorie Galloway Cynthia Booth Ken Barlow Judy Alexander Paul George and those rejoining us in January : Elsie Matheson Erskine Blackburn Leslie Strike Mary Holland Anne Morley