Al2-Sanday News, October 19, 1980 community round-up [a Libraries face financial bind The Greater Vancouver Library Federation — representing the three North Shore libraries together with the five others serving the Lower Mainland — is desperately in need of more money from Victoria. GVLF board chairman Mary Bartley of North Vancouver says the funding for public libraries in B.C. is “totally inadequate.” The GVLF board has made representation to Provincial Secretary Evan Wolfe for more funds mm a bnef submitted last July. As stated in the brief, provincial grants to hbraries have remained at the same level over the past four years with no recognition of the increased costs libraries face. The price of books alone this year has increased by 15% due to inflation and the devaluation of the Canadian dollar. Public libraries in the province say they are at a desperation point. They cannot adequately meet the needs of the people of British Columbia with provincial funding which is now the lowest in Canada. Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec have recently in- creased ther funding to libranes, whereas Brnitish Columbia has not increased its rate since 1978 and the GVLF has not had a sub- stantial increase since 1976. In the report issued in 1979 by N. Verma, Users and resources of public itbraries in Canada, published by Statistics Canada, (Education, Science and Culture Division) British Columbia ranked the highest with over S7% of the adult population using public hbranes. Pubhec hbranes in Bntish Columbt have the highest per capita circulation of all the provinces with 7.8 books circulated. In a 1976 repon, Staustics Canada estimated the average circulation per capita at 46 tected Cota kiln intied adjustable shelves lay y butans INTRODUCTORY This report also showed by comparison that British Columbia had the lowest book stock per capita, although the highest usage. British Columbia, has more readers and more users of public libraries than any other province in Canada yet has the lowest provincial support. North Chamber of Commerce is Vancouver pressing hard for con- struction by the provincial government of a road crossing over MacKay Creek to alleviate’ traffic congestion on Marine Drive. Mackay Creek is the creek running just west of the Capilano Mall shopping centre. It presently bars THE FLOOR SHOW started quite sedately when well- known belly dancer Kristin Newgard appeared as sur- prise guest at {ast week's North Shore Optimist Club meeting -- but warmed up (above right) as the dance progressed. (Terry Peters photo) Master Chef Kitchens save 40 % on out quality kitchen cabinets & vanitios OFFER Kay Creek “lower level road” access between Bewicke and Pemberton Avenues, compelling all “lower level road” jraffic to funnel out on to Marine Drive. Victoria has agreed in principle to share the costs of “lower level road” development, but only when all parties — including West Vancouver and _ the Squamish Indian Band k ur (through whose reserve it would pass) — have agreed to the entire alignment. In a letter to the minister of highways the North Van Chamber's transportation committee, chaired by Zoltan Kuun, contends that a MacKay Creek crossing could stand on its own without prejudice to eventual completion of the “Sun.-Mon. Special Sundaes” 59°, 69° & 79° DELUXE BURGERS EVERY TUESDAY 5:00 - 10:30 PM overall project — _ while providing considerable relief right away by diverting traffic from Marine Drive. The Chamber's letter also Stresses that increased commercial development in the “lower level road” area, creating additional North Shore jobs, would be en- couraged by a Creek crossing. MacKay folbout shetven many oOffier dehyne lesastures free Kite her planing teeat vic @s * tricstaallercd Cry cquseattty cCeattesnen 1771 Marine Drive West Van 332 Drake St. Vancouver 687-2526 Lanegan Riostanuranl 404 LONSDALE 987-413 ALL DAIRY PRODUCTS MADE WITH REAL ICE CREAM be Pm Jayne Come in and see me this Sunday & Monday for one of our Specials