VANCOUVER—The union representing workers at the Vancouver Public Library’s main branch is calling on members of the public to contact VPL board members by phone and attend a crucial board meeting next week that will determine the fate of Canada’s only public library bindery.
“Without the bindery, the preservation of our library materials will suffer,” says CUPE 391 president Alex Youngberg.
At the May 30 meeting, the VPL board will announce its decision of whether to close the bindery or leave it open to pre-treat and preserve the collection. Youngberg says the bindery is integral to collection development and maintenance.
“Without the support of the bindery, Vancouver’s status as a provincial library resource and depository will be undermined. Simply discarding books and ordering replacements does not build sustainability into the collection or support environmental directives from the City of Vancouver.”
Youngberg said the library receives large volumes of materials from community organizations that wish to preserve a record of their local histories. The access these contributors currently enjoy with the bindery in place will be in jeopardy if it is closed, she added.
“If you’re among those people who don’t believe that the maintenance of the library’s collection, or how it is developed, should be determined by commercial library suppliers, then please, let your voice be heard,” said Youngberg.
To book a spot on the speaker’s list and/or reserve a seat at next Wednesday’s board meeting, concerned library patrons are asked to call (604) 331-4003 or (604) 331-4000.
The precise location of the meeting, which begins at 4:30 p.m., will be confirmed tomorrow. It will take place at or near the Central library branch at 350 West Georgia.
Contact: Alex Youngberg, CUPE 391 president: (604) 322-4879
Dan Gawthrop, CUPE Communications: (604) 999-6132