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TREASURES OF OUR MEMORIAL LIBRARY Staffs Book Choices on Display There are many ways in which our library's diligent staff make the client's visit easier or more productive. Most of these require the visitor to make the first move - to approach one or more staff members, perhaps to enquire about a set of figures, or whether a specific book title can be traced here. Of course, many such questions never reach a staff member. They may be fed by computer "whizzes" - often under ten years of age - to the omnipresent and patient machines. Which makes it much easier for "computer illiterates" to seek help directly from the staff. But on every library day there is a sizeable number of clients who wander into the library for no really specific purpose beyond simple browsing. Years ago, our canny librarians hit on a procedure to capture the interest of such floaters, young or old. They started a program of limited displays of selected books on related subjects likely to catch the eyes of visitors who wander in with no specific goals beyond enjoying the inviting atmosphere of the place. So the casual visitor is readily persuaded, while strolling around the main floor, to pause and admire the display of books neatly set out on the large table in the West Wing, adjacent to the garden patio. These are books, carefully chosen by the staff, which have some related interest. They are thoughtfully arranged to pique the curiosity of the casual passer-by. Each such display is cleverly chosen and arranged by a "brain trust" of about eight experienced librarians, and reflects their personal knowledge and perseverance. The displays are changed irregularly, but generally about twice a month. Each display numbers somewhere about forty different books. The range of subjects is eclectic and generous. The books may range from simple paper-backs to large and expensive tomes. Sometimes, among the books, one may find a stack of booklets, freely offered. The individual books may be reserved for borrowing when the display is changed again. The items in these displays are related, each time, more-or-less closely to a dazzling variety of themes, most often of recent or contemporary interest. These may represent the seasons, current events or persons of interest, or certain items noted on the press or on TV programs. Each showing is designed to spark the observer's interest, to offer a penetrating show of the library's endless resources, and to suggest gently to the passerby that he or she needs to be more "au courant" - to know more about what's going on - perhaps in North Vancouver or in Afghanistan. In choosing themes for these book displays, the sources of interest are kaleidoscopic, so our savvy librarians usually have little difficulty in making their choices. But the actual decisions may face an "embarrassment of riches". I asked Senior Librarian Margaret Mould (always a rich source for information) if she could find for me a list of some of the themes underlying choices for these book displays. She kindly gave me a "typical" list, and from this, I offer the following selection: Chinese New Year Persian New Year Christmas AND Cottage Life Thanksgiving Weddings Remembrance Day Gardening Canada Day Woodworking Adventure Travel Seniors & Retirement Architecture & Design Healthy Eating Woman Against Violence Back to School Meditation & Stress-free Living As you see: Treasure in Abundance!! Ted Hill