Sunday, June 30, 1981 - Norih Stiore News - 37

Chief librarian directed systems expansion

AFTER 27 years as chief librarian for the ‘North Vancouver District Library, librarian Enid Dearing has decided to call it a day.

She finished her last day on the job on Friday and is now looking forward to a more relaxed lifestyle.

When she was appointed to the postin April 1964, the district had just accepted responsibility for administering four small, in-

READER'S

By Surj Rattan

News Reporter

dependent and volunteer-run libraries scattered throughout the municipality.

Dearing has spent a total of 39 years working in libraries. She has seen a lot of changes.

“When | graduated fron uni- versity, women were supposed to be nurses or teachers or sacial workers. I didn’t want to do any

of thar so LT went to work at the University of BoC. library,” says Dearing.

She spent five years working at the UBC library before deciding to attend library school at MeGill University,

“The basics are still the same, but) automation has changed things. When !o was in library school, as a class we went down to the CPR station and Jooked through the window and watched men in white shirts working on

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NEWS photo Paul McGratn

NORTH VANCOUVER District chief librarian Enid Dearing, who retired on Friday, is finally looking forward to spending some much-deserved free time reading books at her home on Bowen Island.

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computers,’ says Dearing. “Computers had just started to comme an the scene and that way our computer training, peering through the window."

Dearing has been largely responsible for the expansion and growth of the North Vancouver District Library. In 1968 its head- quarters were moved to a large but Jeaky warehouse cn Lynn Avenue.

The next year, a bright new ad- dition wus opened in the Capilano area and then the Deep Cove branch moved into a storefront on Gallant Avenue.

A year later, the Lynn Valley and Seylynn branches, along with the library headquarters were combined in a large new building on the corer of Mountain High- way and 27th Avenue.

Five years later, a second floor was added.

By the end of 1971, annual library circulation amounted to over $00,900 books and there were 15 full-time staff. Later, records, tapes, videos and compact discs were added and work began on computerizing the catalogue.

Adult and children’s programs were also introduced.

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As chief librarian, most of Dearing’s ime has been taken up with administrative duties. She says chat she hus missed the day- to-day contact with the fibrary UNCES,

“There are so many aspects tu librarianship. | think my job has gotten harder over the years,” Dearing says. “In the early days | worked with the public. | miss than.”

Looking back on her career, Dearing says the one aspect that stands out the most for her is the growth of the district library.

“Pye spent many of my years moving libraries, I think we're a good medium-sized = library,” Dearing says. ‘ve had a very happy career.**

The district library and its three branches currently circulate over 825,000 items. For the past few years, Dearing and her staff have been working to achieve full automation of the library service.

That system was put in place an May 29. Any item in the library can now be located through its computerized system,

Deuring’s future plans include a move to Bowen Island.

892-5857 932-6617

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