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If adopted - a working group will be set up. The Friends would be responsible for sorting the books, but the Volunteers -led by Anne Graves - have kindly offered to stock the shelves daily. However, book sorting will be an ongoing daily annual task for the Friends requiring a team of two or three at least once a week. In making our decision as to whether or not to proceed with this project, responsibility for our role must be accepted. Should we agree to organize and run this function, then we will need to fund the construction of a custom designed bookcase - which will, of course, bear our name. Treasurer's Report Our Treasurer Ron Lucas presented his financial statement of the Friends funds at our meeting, as follows: Regular Funds - $17,035.46 Casino Funds - $32,926.97 Through careful and diligent management of our funds, Ron has been able to achieve more than $100 interest on our accounts. Chief Librarian's Report Ann Goodhart told our meeting that Council still had not approved the Library's budget for 1998. However, Council have approved the expenditure to hire a consultant to assist with the setting up of a new computer system for all the Library's operations. Our present system is sixteen years' old which - in this technological age - is considered "heritage". Ann also gave us an update on progress on the English Language Learning Centre which the Friends have funded through Casino revenue funds. Starting April 1, a new service to be offered is the facility to put reserves on videos. Also, new shelving is to be provided for our library's video collection. Mission Statement The document "Friends of the West Vancouver Memorial Library - Purpose of Organization" has recently been revised slightly to reflect our current activities and has been circulated to other groups within the Library. A condensed version is included on page 4 of this newsletter. The leaflet about the Friends, which is available at all the Library's desks and which contains an application form, needs to be revised as it contains the list of Board Members who have changed since the start of the year. It will also be amended in accordance with our Mission Statement described above. Board Liaison Board Chairman Jack McConville introduced to our meeting new Board Member Deborah Nesbitt. In addition to other responsibilities on the Board, Deborah will take on the role of Board Liaison with our Group. We look forward to welcoming her to future meetings. Jack explained that the Board are currently preoccupied with the budget process and the proposed new computer system. Casino A decision was taken at our March meeting to prepare an application for a casino licence for 1998/9. Chief Librarian Ann Goodhart will be working on the proposal for the "Proposed Use of Funds", which is an essential component of the application. However, following our meeting, it seems that the BC Gaming Commission's regulations have change (yet again!), and we will be receiving an update at our April meeting. Date of Next Meeting Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 22 not as previously announced on the 29th. (April having five Wednesdays!) 7pm in the Peters Meeting Room.