From page 34 always amazes me.”” That’s not all that surprising for a community with a higher-than- average education and large el- derly population. But it doesn’t explain everything. As Mounce puts it, ‘‘this place has got funky character — carved doors, funny carrels — things you wouldn’t see in a new library.”’ , Which is why Mounce has been such a big advocate of keeping the existing building. A number of plans to accom- - ‘ modate the library’s growth had been discussed for seven years, and one of them was to build a. smaller branch library Cauifeiid area. . However, Mounce and other board members didn’t feel a se- ‘cond library would be well used, that patrons would be frustrated with the pared-down collection. So they decided to build on to what was already there. in the Chief librarian Jack Mounce: in his own words What's your background. in Nbarianship? “After getting an . honors degree at UBC, 1 moved to England ‘and.ended up doing cler- ical work in a library in Londen. Then I moved to Scotland and worked in. the Scottish Central Library. .in January 1969 | enrolled in library school at the Newcastle. Polytechnic and got the equivalent of. a BA in library Science... Then in-1978, 1 went back: to UBC to complete my masters. _ But I'd worked as a librarian since 1969. One day I was’ looking Construction will begin in early spring of 1992 He says it’s the kind of place people love to gather, and not just to borrow becks. *‘We heard how TV and the electronic media were going to kill the libraries, but they’re busier than ever. People feel good about going to the library. It’s a social thing.” Even Mounce admits to feeling the occasional urge to flop into an ’ easy chair with a good mystery novel. It’s tempting being sur- rounded by books, especially for a self-confessed trashy novel addict. But just as he is about to be seduced by a rack of Nero Wolfe and Ellery Queen paperbacks, work calls and Mource is back at it again, tailying up figures in his modest back room office. This time he’s busy raising funds for the renovations. Mounce is hoping to raise $! mil-- lion to make up the building fund shortfall. If all goes according to plan, construction should begin in February or March. through a British journal and saw an ad for a librarian at Red Deer College in Alberta. I applied for the job and got it. By the end of my term there 1 was chief librari- an. I. also worked for the Pacific Vocational Institute as director of learning resources, and was presi- deat of the B.C. Library Associa- tion from 1985-’86.”” What did you find different about © -a public library? ‘‘Unlike private libraries, pubiic tibraries serve the whole population and deal with a whole spectrum of ages. At col- MORTGAGE RATE 6 MONTH OPEN — other terns available For more information call 682-7171 Marc Belzile Danny den Hoed Barbara Bal) EF Citizens Trust RATE SUBJECT TO CHANGE Jack Mounce has witnessed West Vancouver Memorial Library's 3 phenomena growth since 1982, when he replaced then-chlef librarian Con Miiis. ‘lege libaries, some students would only show up right before exams or to eat lunch. Here, people come in voluntarily after some good fiction. The attitude is dif- ferent. I found all these aspects of public librarianship terrific."’ What's your opiaion of maivtain- ing the bookmobile? ‘‘We have a bookmobile that goes to seniors homes and to places like In- giewood hospital. But we're one of a pretty smaiJl: number of Lower Mainland libraries who still has one. Many feel the bockmobile has had its day. I believe it’s an economical way.to’- deliver to home-bound people. In fact, a lot of American cities are bringing the bookmobile back. ft makes a lot. of sense for West Vancouver,”’ Do you think West. Vaxcouver will eventually get another library? ‘‘it wouldn’t suprise me if we see a branch in the next five years.’’ Why is West Vancouver tibrary experiencing such a. tremendous growth? “We're not the only library experiencing space prob- lems, Burnaby. just opened a new $9-million libfary in Metrotown, and Richmond has built a com- bination library,, museum and art gallery for $17 million. Vancouver plans to spend $120 million on repiacing its main library.’” Whet books .are popular these dsys? ‘‘It. hasn't changed that much. Fiction isa. little’ more popular then. non-fiction. Bocks like biographies, ‘gardening, cookbooks and - hom meat are all popular.”* Is it tough keepieg. ap with. the rapidly changing icchoology? “We've got alot of CDs and audio cassettes. We're phasing out our records and. will. probably have video discs by next year. 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