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4

February 2nd, 1976

in November this year. Mr. Overend further stated that if the Board decides
to go ahead with construction of the new Library Headquarters building,
Surrey will be morally obligated to participate in the cost. Alderman
Thompson noted that in order to reduce costs, the FVRL would maintain the
same hours of service but would decrease the book supply, and he pointed out
that there has already been a drastic cut back of that item. Mr. Overend
agreed that the book supply is at a low rate at the present time; however,
he stated that the required $220,593.00 to cover additional wages will have

to be taken out of other items in the budget, such as books. Alderman

Mabbett stated he was beginning to wonder whether the City should be
expanding its Library service this year; but, Mr. Overend pointed out that
there would be no less of a cliarge as the assessment has been set and

the budget passed by the Board. Alderman Ranger stated his concern that
the budget was prepared by the outgoing Board of 1975, and Mr. Overend
advised it is traditional for the outgoing Board to set the Provisional
Budget and recommend it to the incoming Board. Alderman Ranger further
expressed his concern that the basis for the 1976 budget was on the 1975
proposed budget rather than on the actual 1975 experience, and he

stated he found that very hard to accept. Alderman Laking inquired why
the Board so strongly rejected the idea of leasing land for a Headquarters
building in Mission for $1.00 per year and Mr. Overend advised that the
lot offered over a year ago is not now available while the proposed
building site in Abbotsford is in an excellent location. Alderman
Thompson inquired what a City~owned Library would cost and Alderman
Keryluk advised that cost for such a facility in Burnaby is about $8.00
per capita and in Vancouver $12.00. Alderman Thompscn referred to a
Statement on Page 3 under item 2, paragraph 5 which reads: "The net
figure of $292,670 (referring to the total budget allocation for books
and periodicals) is dangerously low and can only be approved as barely
"adequate" if the FVRL retains its bookstock now in branches in Richmond.
Any compromise with Richmond concerning the FVRL bookstock should be
accompanied by a sizeable increase in allocation for 1976", and in
answer to his request for clarification, Mr. Overend advised Alderman
Thompson that if the FVRL leaves 50,000 books in Richmond for one year,
the Library Development Commission will pay the sum of $120,000.00 which
will be enough to buy 20,000 new books to put into the new branches of
the FVRL and the other 30,000 books in Richmond will be returned, with

that Municipality having paid rent on them for the balance of the year.