The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Treasures of our Library. Our "Bookmobile" services were inaugurated in 1969. At first, Chief Librarian Mrs. Elizabeth Musto, set up the service to help elementary schools which, at that time, had few libraries of their own. Gradually, the nature of the Bookmobile's clientele changed, and it soon became an extension of library services to reach far-flung patrons who faced difficulties in going in person to the library, or who, because of old age or disability - or both -were more or less confined to their homes. Thanks to gradual development of its equipment and procedures, and especially to the dedicated work of its professional staff, the Bookmobile service has become a highly valued fixture in the life of our community. The service began with a second-hand vehicle acquired from the Burnaby Public Library. The Friends of the Library and the Library Board were convinced of the Bookmobile's value and they, in turn, persuaded the City Council to give it substantial financial support The first vehicle served until 1977 when it was replaced. The Friends first casino was held in January 1992, the proceeds from which allowed us to pledge $20,000 to the complete overhaul of the exceedingly well used van. This generous pledge inspired the Library to think in terms of a new vehicle - rather than merely an overhaul - to which end the City of West Vancouver agreed to contribute $40,000. Additionally, the Friends agreed to a further contribution of $2,500 to cover the cost of customizing the new van for library use. The interior of the new Bookmobile was built to order in West Vancouver's Works Yard under the skilled direction of supervisor Wayne Mowat. IBs staff installed shelves, a work station and lighting. A cellular phone was added to offer a reference hook-up to the main library. The Bookmobile operates as an arm of the Adult Services Department In the past twenty years, it has circulated over half a million books, plus huge numbers of tapes, compact discs and magazines. The van regularly stocks about 2,000 items, with steady "change overs". Its hardcover books well outnumber the paperbacks. Its magazines are always fresh.... the Bookmobile has first choice of new issues. The library must wait its turn to accept them! The first Bookmobile driver was Lucille Fisher, who operated the van from 1969 until her untimely death in 1981. Lauren Henderson then took over the role, driving the Bookmobile from 1982 to 1988, after which Daphne Grisdale operated the service until her retirement in 1995. Miriam Sherman - with three back up drivers - is now in charge of this wonderful service. All of these library staff members have had to undergo training and pass a Provincial course to qualify for class 3 driver licences. They are noted for their professional driving expertise and, also, for their caring social skills. Incidentally, all Bookmobile drivers have been trained in First Aid. The visits to the Bookmobile and our library's representatives often mean as much to our patrons as the books they borrow. The Bookmobile is responsible now for about 30,000 loans per year, involving massive jobs of stock selections and accounting. It makes eleven weekly stops, extending right across the Municipality of West Vancouver, at seven seniors' residences, community centres and malls. To a great number of its patrons, the weekly visit of this mobile treasure house is the highlight of any week.