IN- WEST Vancouver, the dedication to the local library “goes far beyond borrowing a lot of books. ' _ By Maureen Curtis Contributing Writer _ In addition to the highest - ‘per. capita consumption (of ‘books) in. the .country, West “yVancouver Memorial Library _ boasts. a fegion of volunteers who . work to. improve this favored facility. A team of 45° volunteers looks after tasks that there’s never enough funding for at the library — labelling and atranging the paperbacks, ‘writing out book orders, shelf-reading in the fine arts sections and delivering books to the homebound. If you're interested in such chores, take a number. To Enrich The 34 - Wednesday, September 15, 1993 - North Shore News WEST VANCO lenges di NEWS photo Cindy Goodman DUE TO ‘buliding, codes, ‘the: new “wing was constructed not of wood but of concrete. Efficiency will be increased with centratly located elevators. and stairs. There’s a waiting list to join: up. Then there are the volun- teers who promoted the most recent library expansion and then went out and raised nearly half of the cost — ap- proximately $2 million., “There’s a tradition of vol- unteer effort here... We've still got that pride that created the first libracy,’’ says Chief Li- brarian Jack Mounce. To raise money: for the original 1950 library building, volunteers canvassed door to door, put on balls, and sold souvenir catalogues. A “Sacrifice Shap’? was set up at 1644 Marine Dr., where donated items were sold to contribute to the library. Residents turned out in the pouring rain to participate in a ‘‘slearing bee’’ at the site of the future building. The tradition of volun- “BIG ENOUGH for a long time to come.” By Martin Millerchip Contributing Writer - Chief librarian Jack Mounce sums up the bdot- tom-line reason for over nine years of planning and 16 months of renovations that have still not finished some four weeks before the official opening of the new extension to West Vancouver Memorial Library. Saturday, Sept. #8 will see a ribbon cut that, if stretched along all of ‘the available book shelving, would run for more than 1.5 miles. Housing this bookworm marathon will be a building that. has grown in size from 24,800 square feet to 55,000 square feet {in comparison, Burnaby’s new Bob Prittie Metrotown Branch is 61,000 square feet). : “Getting such a large ex- pansion was very good for us,’’ says Mounce. . Despite some negative feedback on the appearance of the new exterior, -Mounce remains steadfastly committed to the result. Gently waving a screwdriver to emphasize the points he wishes to make, Mounce. rewurns again and again to the fact that the ex- pansion and new look ‘‘were driven. by a need for more collection space.”’ “We have had 25,000 vol- umes shelved off-site at “Hillside Schoo! for the last four years. Books that are still in demand. ‘ teerism may go back even further, to the 1920s, when “*Book Teas" were held at the Clachan (now Peppi’s) to raise money. for more books for the little Hollyburn Public. Library housed in Gemill’s Drugstore. In the 1950s, carrying on the enthusiasm from raising the money for the original library, ‘the Friends of the Library was: formed, that undertook everything from organizing a lecture series featuring the head of the Music Department at the University of British Coium- bia - to pushing for a refer-_ endum on the 1955 expansion of the building. A “Book of Friends’? was created to acknowledge all those donors who contributed to the 1976 expansion. By 1986, with the library overcrowded once again, a “Tf it didn’t tower for four storeys people would be fonder of it, but there were structural requirements to put this much space into a very challenging site.’’ Mource points out that once the decision to expand the library on its present site rather than construct -a satel- lite branch in the west of the community had been made, a whole series of challenges had to be met. The small,. ravine ‘site at 1950 Marine Dr, itself became a limiting factor. Cost, as much as sentiment, also dictated retaining the original ‘“‘memorial"’ library. “It was much more eco- nomical to do what we did than level the old building aud- start again,’’ Meunce. ‘But tying a new buiding to one that had already been ex- panded three times proved a much bigger challenge than - was envisaged. Some of the old drawings and plans were incomplete or not as specific as necessary, resulting in costly delays while electricians attempted to make sense of wiring that may or may not have been connected to anything. The bitter pill of economics also saw the loss cf $65,000 worth of stucco cladding on the new eastern extension, as proposed by acclaimed architect Hulbert. The faci that the new wing is. concrete and not wood is dictated by building code reg- ulations: according to Mounce, who — understands how important the ‘‘feel’” of Rick Memoria! Library Foundation was established to undertake the. raising of much of the funds needed to carry out another expansion. Bob Wyckham, marketing instructor at Simon Fraser. University, took part in the’ early. study: process and chaired the new foundation for several years. ; In October of 1989, the municipality waived its sign bylaws to allow a 48-fcot banner advertising the start of the “Special Edition’’ fund- raising campaign to be sirung above the library. Fundraisers were spurred on by a kick-o!ff donation of $100,000 trom British Pacific Properties. School children acquired financial sponsors te par- ticipate in the Special Edition Reading Progam, while Gleneagles kindergarteners says - internationally in’t stop expansion the old patrons. “We couldn't stay with wood. The code would not allow us to expand’ beyond the size we had’? > Hulbert originally proposed building on top of the park- ing lot at the western end ‘of library was to its the site as well asa large eastern addition. : Mounce says couver’s Advisory. Design Panel rejected that concept as “St did not fit the neighbor- hood or the old building.” “The challenge was to pro- vide 35,000 square feet and West Van- hide it so it would blend in °° and not overpower.” Mounce believes that given time and landscaping the new- | extension will, least, be accepted for what It provides. atthe very © And, besides those endless. shelves, that includes: @ 2 elevators for easy access . to all levels (disabled patrons had no. access to reference and.youth services in the old library); @ a new meeting’ room that : will seat up ta 60; @ a periodical reading room; @ nearly: 70° new. spaces; - study o improved after- hours book “ drops; o improved washfoom fact ities; @ expanded gallery space for 7 art exhibits.” With more. square footage «. per capita; than > any ~ other library in ‘the province, one ° ‘can understand Mounce’s satisfaction -in the statement: “Big enough for.a tong time © to come.’ ~ Oe, ‘Volunteers continue tradition of raising funds for Memorial Library . decorated and raffled off gin- ‘ gerbread houses. . in 1990;- a. $500,000 Go-. B.C. ‘grant ‘was. secured. and internationally acclaimed « ar-!. chitect and West Vancouver resident -Rick Hulbert ‘agreed -. to provide a concept. design. and preliminary drawings for no charge. Fundraisers: collected dona- tions small and large, such as those from the Jim Pattison Foundation, Kay Meek Foun- dation, the Friends of °the- Library, the Horseshoe ..Bay Community Association and other financial institutions. When interest waned in 1991, untiring enthusiasts like Wyckham managed to keep the momentum going. Wyckham believes the campaign owes its success to its dedicated volunteers who pressed on ‘‘even when there were 15 reasons not to.” Congratulations on the Opening of the West Vancouver Memorial Library Quality of Life in Our Community ALGO Algo Communication Products Ltd. is proud to have provided installed the Meridian Norstar 128 Digital Telephorie System. NORIAL = _merittion 40737 ha baat Lucy LeBlanc 438-3333 J.W. JEFFREY & ASSOCIATES LTD. 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