Sunaay. September 22 1991 - Norin Snore News ~ 37

WV library not just another pretty face

- 239 loans per hour
- 850,000 loans per year
- 1,000 patrons per day

YOU TELL people that the
West Vancouver Memorial
Library is special and right
away they want to know
why.

By Kay Alsop

Contributing Writer

You have to stop and _ think
because, frankly, you’ve never re-
ally wondered why it is special
and different from other libraries.
You’ve always just known that
somehow it is.

To begin with, the library,
which is undergoing a major ex-
pansion, isn’t just another pretty
face; it’s the most used library,
per capita, in Canada. Figures
show that there are 239 loans an
hour, or 850,000 loans a year;
1,000 patrons a day asking, on
average, a reference question
every 2.2 minutes.

In addition, the library contains
a total of 180,000 hardcover
books; 25,000 paperbacks, 2,000
videos, not to mention maps and
‘clippings.

But people don’t just come to
the library for books. Some come
to borrow tapes, or ‘‘talking
books.’”

There are a variety of people
who make use of the library, and
one should not be surprised to
find a celebrity or two milling

You may qualify for a GRANT of up to

$5,000 for home repairs.

You may also obtain a repayable loan if the

repair costs exceed the grant.

incorne ceilings for a couple or 1 person
er year. Larger

ualify may have an
308, ¥

househoid is $25,000
households which
income of up to $41,

Households with a gross annual income of:

$13,000 or less

may be eligible for a
$15,000

$17,000

$20,000

RRAP

For further information
please call 737-4065 or

737-4066

Canada Mortgage and Housing

about the endless amount of
books.

Broadcaster Terry
Muiligan is one of them.

“Before [ interview actors and
musicians, | spend a lot of time
researching them. And when I
can’t find what [| want in the
books | have at home, and | have
many of them, | head for the
West Van library,’” says Mulligan.
“Sure as heck IH find it there. it
never fails me. The library helps
me keep informed, too. and that’s
very important in my job.”

He adds that one of the best
things the library does is help him
keep in touch with his children.

““They like me to read to them,
and we often go to the library
together,” he adds.

The library's window nook is a
comfy home-away-from-home.
Peeple rest, read or talk quietly
together. But on Friday after-
noons it becomes a petit salon as
classical music lovers sip coffee to
the meledic strains of Chopin,
Mozart or Debussy

The jigsaw puzzle is also a
special attraction of the library.
People like Carl Hoffinger pause
for a moment and stay for an

David

-hour looking at the elusive pieces

needed to complete the picture.

Seniors turn up for Tuesday
afternoon group discussions on
politics, books, authors,
philosophies, travel and any other
subject.

Photo submitted

THE WEST Vancouver Memorial Library is undergoing a major expansion after having first opened

its doors to the public in 1950.

At the other end of tne library,
and the age spectrum, children
have their own special place which
includes story time, puppet shows,
babytimes and, during the sum-
mer, their own reading programs.

The West Vancouver library’s
art exhibits have won first-time
recognition for many up-and-
coming focal artists. For them,
this small, but well-presented
show of their work is a gateway to
the future.

On any given night, the refer-
ence department upstairs will find

Grants for

Home Repairs
"I can now sleep
easier because my
leaking roof has been
repaired with RRAP
assistance."

$5,006 Grant contractors.

$4,000 Grant
$3,000 Grant
$1,500 Grant

Repairs related to health and safety such as
plumbing, heating, electrical wiring,
foundations, and leaking roofs are given
priority. Porches, stairs and exterior painting
may also be considered.

R.R.A.P. is directed to low incorne
households and offers financial assistance,
home inspection and advice on the
selection and hiring of home repair

*An additional grant and loan may be
available to improve the accessibility of the
tsome for disabled persons.

CMHC 3°2 SCHL

Corporation

Helping to house Canadians

#400-2600 Grandville St.
Vancouver, B.C. V6H 3V7

Societe canadienne d'hypotheques et de logement

university students, executives and
writers unearthing the facts and
figures needed for their own par-
ticular projects.

Meanwhile, in the carrels below,
teens plow through their high
schooi homework. For many kids,

New sh

New View

¢ verticals e micro’s ® mini’s
« pleated shades e roller shades

those carreis are the most impor-
tant service the library offers.

The West Vancouver Memorial
Library first opened its doors to
the public on Nov. 121, 1950,
Remembrance Day.

9 0

retai!

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_ 932-6617 |