f]:)fat'tfot of dV07,fh, QIanaouoE-'i cdV{unlaipaL <JJubLia 1ib'ia'"ly
HEADQUARTERS: 2834 WESTLYNN SHOPPING CENTRE
NORTH VANCOUVER, B. C.

Miss B. M. Dearing

w

TELEPHONE 987-7622

District Librarian

February, 1967.

Mr. Leslie D.G. Brooks
545 Granada Crescent
North Vancouver, B.C.
Dear

Mr. Brooks:

Enclosed is a copy of the proceedings of the Vainstein Report
Seminar held on January 28, 1967, at Canyon Gardens, and a copy of
the resolutions of the British Columbia Library Association endorsed
by the seminar. These resolutions have been sent to The Honourable
Wesley D. Black, Provincial Secretary.
A separate letter is being sent to each Council, Library Board,
School Board and the Regional College Committee, asking them to name
a member to the Co-ordinating Committee, which is to be established
as soon as possible, When this matter arises at your meeting, we hope
you will be able to provide the necessary details for those unable
to attend the Seminar.
We were pleased with the success of the meeting and wish to thank
you for showing, by your attendance, an interest in the continued
development of libraries on the North Shore.
Yours very truly,

C

/G, 11,, ·"-

,......._...

!J

..e, ,;,,J,,

.

if

(Miss) Enid Dearing,
Secretary to the Board.
ED/dm
encl:

Vainstein Report Seminar
Saturday, January 28, 1967

Canyon Gardens
North Vancouver, B.C.

Sponsored by North Vancouver District Library Board.
Report of Proceedings
Forty two people attended the Vainstein Report Seminar sponsored
by the North Vancouver District Library Board, on Saturday, January 28,
1967, at Canyon Gardens, North Vancouver. The following bodies were
represented.
North Vancouver - City Council; Library Board; School
District #44.

North Vancouver - District Council; Library Board.
West Vancouver - Municipal Council; Library Board;
School District #45.
School Librarians and School Supervisors from North and
West Vancouver.
....

Librarians from the three municipal public libraries.
Provincial Legislature by Mr. R. Perrault, M.L.A�
North Shore Business and Professional Women's Club.

Municipal Managers of North Vancouver District and
West Vancouver.
Public Library Commission.

The meeting gathered for a buffet luncheon, courtesy of the Public
Library Commission� Mr. M.J.R. Lakes, Chairman, North Vancouver District
Library Board, conducted the meeting. Mrs. D. Parr, Chairman, Public
Library Commission, gave a brief address on the Commission and introduced
the guest speakeri Dr. Ronald Hagleri Associate Professor, School of
Librarianship, University of British Columbia: Research Assistant and
Editor of Public Libraries in British Columbia: a survey with recommend­
ations, by Miss R. Vainstein. Dr. Hagler 1 s stimulating address dealt
chiefly with explanations and clarification of the report as it pertained
to the North Shore area. After explaining the levels of service outlined
in the report, he presented many ideas and suggestions for cooperation
within and without our own service area, pertaining to public, school
and college libraries. One of his most interesting suggestions was that
of the three municipal public libraries cooperating to establish a library
in Park Royal. Throughout he emphasized that cooperative ventures will
vary throughout B.C. and that each area must make and carry out its own
plans. He also stressed that cooperative ventures should receive favour­
able consideration from the Public library Commission in the form of
grants.

-2[A full transcript of Dr. Hagler 1 s address will be available at
a later date, only the highlights have been presented here]
After Dr. Hagler's address the meeting divided into three groups
to discuss the following topics:
1. Public Library Cooperation under the leadership of Mrs. Jane
Weir, Trustee, North Vancouver District Library.
2. School and Public Library Cooperation led by Mrs. Phyllis
Simpson, Trustee, North Vancouver School Board.
3. Municipal and Provincial support of Public Libraries - discussed
under the leadership of Mr. R.L. Davison, Superintendent, Public
Library Commission.
Lively discussions ensued in all groups, as reported by the group
leaders when the group reconvened at 3:15 p.m.
Brief highlights from the discussion leaders reports were as follow c
1. Public Library Cooperation
General agreement was reached that there are many areas of
cooperation that can be done at the administrative level. Mrs.
Musto, Librarian, West Vancouver Memorial Library, offered non­
fiction books (2 years after publication date) for interlibrary
loan to the North Vancouver City and District Libraries. Detai1of such loans and cooperative purchasing in certain subject
fields will be left to the library administrators. Problems of
student use, caused by new universities and colleges, prompted
discussion on a possible reference resource centre for students
and adults in the proposed regional college. Details here included
the acquisition of a good periodical and microfilm collection.
This group then recommended that a committee of representatives
from Councils, Library Boards and School Boards be formed to set
policy and work out plans for further cooperation.
2. School and Public Library Cooperation

j

Student use of school and public libraries and the need for
cooperation was generally agroed to be necessary. Although the
group did not come to any definite conclusions the following
subjects were discussed�
A computerized reference centre for B.C.
Cooperation between School Districts 44 and 45.

Joint periodical and microfilming collections.

Mrs. Simpson also announced that School District 44 will be
opening, on an experimental basis, three secondary school libraT·r
Delbrook, Windsor and North Vancouver, for four nights per week
as soon as staff is obtained.

-33. Municipal and Provincial aid to Public Libraries
This discussion evolved around government grants to public
libraries. It was noted that provincial grants to municipal
public libraries constitute only 5% of the operating budgets of
municipal public libraries.
It was generally agreed that this
amount was far too low and that every effort should be made to
convince the government that additional funds are necessary if
the Vainstein Report is to be implemented and the standards of
public library services improved.
With regard to local financial support it was agreed that
cooperation is desirable to make the best possible use of monies
available.
The possibility of a regional college for the North Shore
and possible library cooperation with such a college was also
discussed.
General discussion ensued as to further steps that should be
taken and the need for continued study of cooperation.
RESOLUTIONS
(1) Moved: Mr. Peter Jones, seconded: Mrs. Joyce Chadwick,
Whereas the discussions of this seminar have resulted in
interest and concern for a continued study of possible
areas of co-operation for the improvement of all libraries
on the North Shore.
Therefore be it resolved that this seminar endorse the est­
ablishment of a co-ordinating committee to consist of a
representative from the following bodies: Councils, North
Vancouver City and District and West Vancouver; School
Districts 44 and 45; Library Boards of North Vancouver City
and District and West Vancouver; North Shore Community
College.
Co-ordinating Committee.
This committee to be formed immediately to study possible
areas of co-operation and prepare policies regarding all
North Shore libraries.
CARRIED
(2)

Whereas the group discussing municipal and provincial support
of public libraries expressed concern at the lack of
support the Public Library Commission receives from the
Provincial Government for its operation and for grants
to public libraries.

"

�

�

-4Therefore be it resolved that: this seminar endorse the
resolutions pertaining to the Vainstein Report and the
provincial support of libraries passed by the Fall Meet­
ing of the British Columbia Library Association, and that
this resolution be forwarded to the Provincial Government.
CARRIED

(A copy of the resolutions is attached)
Miss Dearing was asked to attend to the details of the proceedings
and resolutions of this seminar.
The seminar adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
Enid Dearing,
Secretary to the Board,
North Vancouver District Library.

BRITISH COLUMBIA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
Resolutions Adopted at the Fall Meeting
I.

October 2, 1966.

Whereas the British Columbia Library Association is actively
concerned with the improvement of library service in all areas
of British Columbia,
And whereas the Vainstein Report amply demonstrates that a province­
wide system of public library service areas is an effective and
economical method of improving such service,
Therefore, be it resolved that the British Columbia Library Assoc­
iation fully endorse the Vainstein Report and give every
assistance to the Public Library Commission and to local
organizations in its implementation,
And be it further resoived that the members of the British Columbia
Library Association use their influence and initiative as
individuals to bring about an understanding and acceptance of
the report, and action on its recommendations.

II.

Whereas the British Columbia Library Association recognizes that the
leadership role of the Public Library Commission in public
library development cannot be fully exercised without the
expansion of its staff,
Therefore, be it resolved that the Provincial Government be requec�.
to provide the funds necessary for such expansion, and for
retaining other personnel where specialists are required.

I I I.

Whereas the Vainstein Report demonstrates that the present level of
direct provincial aid (approximately seven per cent of the
province's total public library operating axpenses) is grossly
inadequate to provide a basis for co-ordinated province-wide
development,
Therefore, be it resolved that the Provincial Government be urgently
requested to raise the level of direct grant support immediately
to an average of twenty per cent of public library operating
expenses to support this co-ordinated development.