Library’s story told

From pase 51

ty and the province and a great
deal of help from volunteers, in a
variety of locations in what is now
called the Village. Most of the
book stock im those early years
consisied of donations from citi-
zens,

Though the ledgling library
died in the Depression, the spirit
of West Vancouverites Kept the
dream alive through several
private lending Bbraries in homes
and stores. In 1948, after citizens
had proposed a new library to
council four years eartier, the first
building was begun. Fwo years
and $19.000 tater. on Nov. TT,
1950, the West Vancouver Memo-
rial Library was opened at its
present location.

lt did not take Jong for the new
library to distinguish itself. By
1957, under the administration of
librarian Elizabeth Musto, the
West Vancouver Memorial
Library made continental history
when it became statistically the
busiest library in North America.

Now at an annual circulation of
773,290, the library will) soon
begin its third expansion, costing
$4.75 million.

Last year, the Library Board
commissioned Carswell to write
the officia! history of the library,
following her successful 1980
book on the history of health ser-
vices on the North Shore.

“What did I[ like best about the
library project? 1 liked it all,”
Carswell told the North Shore
News last week. ‘‘I got hooked on
doing the research. | looked for-
ward to each new day. | best liked
reading the old newspapers
because | believe that history has

to be written in the context of the
times. The development of the
library in)’ West Vancouver mir-
rored the development of the
community, especially through the
Depression and the war.""

What she Jiked the least,
Curswell says, was the physical
work of taking notes and reading
the microfilm, and ending up with
“boxes and boaes’” of material.
“| banged out the book on an old
electric portable.” she remembers
wearily,

Carswell gives generous credit
to her husband. Reith, a classical
Pianist, who helped ober with
research, emotional support. and
typing the final manuscript. She
says she is abo grateful to head
Nibrartan Jack Mounee and his
staff ‘who are the ones who make
ali the difference in) settite the
tone of the place. It is because of
them that the Hbrary is s0 well
loved in the community."

Carswell, who is 72, was born
in Toronto and came to Van-
couver as a tourist in 1944,
cashing in her return ticket when
she met Keith and married him.
They moved to West Vancouver in
1958, where they raised two
children.

Sally, who ‘went back to
school at age 50,"° was one of the
first students to register at
Capilano College and completed
her BA in history and English at
WBC in 1975. She had been writ-
ing short stories all her life, ‘ten-
joying the freedom of not having
to document everything.”’

Fulfilling a Dream can be pur-
chased for $15 at the West Van-
couver Memorial Library and at
all loca! book retailers.

THANK YOU!

... to the residents of the North Shore for their wholehearted
support in purchasing wreaths anc ‘ag Days for the Poppy
Campaign.

The Royal Canadian Legion

North Van

Lynn Valley

West Van.

#Y. (Branch 118) (Branch i14) (Branch 60)
Unit 45, Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans

(70% off *
books

SAVE NOW ON ASSORTED
BOOKS FOR KIDS AND
CHRISTMAS GIFT-GIVING!

If you're hooked on books, this is cne sale you won't want to miss!
We've selected hundreds of titles from our publisher's clearance list, |
| including the 1989 edition of The Home Doctor (possibly the best |
instant medical reference around), originally 49.95 - now only 16.99. |
The popular Canadian Living Cookbook is available |
in limited quantities for only 24.99!
For history buffs Canada's Natural History is now only 14.99.
And the beautifully illustrated History of English Furniture
is clearance priced at orty 35.99.
There's many more in store - ideally suitea for Christmas gift-giving,
Better hurry - the selection won't last too long! i

* Manufacturer's th
suggested list price

ante

Save

lapiewood

ys

sie

It is the last remaining tidal marsh from Deep Cove to First Narrows.
and supports many species of birds and mamrnals. The North Shore

will have lost something precious if this living classroom is lost through

development.

Your vote for these candidates in the District of North
Vancouver will help preserve Maplewood Flats.

Patrick Bruskiewich Bruce Edwards
Emie Crist Janice Harris

From The Save Maplewood Flats Committee

Our entire in-store
selection is on SALE!
Save on Vinyls, Kids,

Borders, Kitchens, Baths,

expanded. Lots of new
arrivals! 10C's of Patterns.

SINGLE

HOURS:
1629 Lonsdale Avenue Monday-Thursday: ? 30am-6 30pm
Across fram SuperValu Friday: 7:30am-9:d0pm

985-6815 Saturday. 9 00am-5:30pm

Sundays & Holdays: 19 00am.5 06pm