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While the Waterloo Concert band asked for a $1,000 increase next year to help pay for a qualâ€" ity music director, and Kâ€"W Opera requested an $8,000 grant from council, the largest request was made by Waterloo Public Library. Three local organizations attempted to warm up to Waterâ€" loo councils generous side Monâ€" day night when they asked for increases in funding for the year Library representatives made a plea for an additional $411,000 in funding. Chief librarian Joanne Tate said the increase would be put towards improving the library‘s resource collection and staffing situaâ€" tions. The library‘s 1999 operating budget sat at about $2.1 million, with close to $1.8 million comâ€" ing from city taxes. The request, among other things, seemed to put the library board members on the hot seat with some members of council questioning why the extra funds wouldn‘t go towards extending the library‘s operating hours. Operating hours has been a bone of contention with both council and the public for the past few years. "I think a reasonable expectaâ€" tion is that the hours should be extended," said Coun. Sean Tate said that while she agrees the hours of operation have to be addressed, and are in fact slated to increase in the year 2001, library users would rather see a better selection of quality books, magazines, newspapers, audioâ€"visual and electronic forâ€" mat resources. The library‘s current hours are Mondayâ€"Thursday from 10 a m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 1â€"5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a. m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1â€"4 p.m. Tate said some of the consid ered changes include extending operating time by at least one hour Monday through Thursâ€" day, and opening the doors at 10 a.m. on Friday instead of 1 p.m. In its presentation, the library board also confirmed that it hopes to get $10.000 in funding Library board seeks more funding by Andrea Bailey Chronicle Staff next year from the capital reserve fund, which will be put towards the first year of a 10â€" year project to upgrade comâ€" puter and communications system within the library The new system, which could have local libraries sharing colâ€" lections in the future, already has councils approval. Spending of $428,000 from the capital reserve fund to replace a 10â€"yearâ€"old system is already set. l Be in over 25,000 homes every week of the year. Advertise in the Waterloo Chronicle â€" 886â€"2830 I A Community Service of Remembrance The Edward R. Good Funeral Home was established in 1946 and is the only independently awned and operated family funeral home in Kitchener and Waterioo Each year, on the first Sunday of Advent, our funeral home hosts a Community Service of Remembrance to remember those individuals who have died during the past year and help their families prepare for the coming Christmas season. The service will be led by Marilyn Hollinger, Dena Moitoso and participants from our People Needing People program. If you require transportation, please call the funeral home at 745â€"8445. The church is wheelchair accessible. 171 King Street South, Waterloo, Ontario N2J 1P7 74$â€"8445 Funeral Home Limited EDWARD R. GOOD The need for a funding increase, however, comes from a shortfall in the board‘s fundraisâ€" ing efforts and numbers of donations received. Donations were not as plentiful as in other years, said library chair Terry That didn‘t sit well Coun. Mike Connolly, commented he finds the tion "strange". The chair of the city‘s finance committee asked Hallman, with who situaâ€" "Why do you come to us when you fall short on donations?", adding that if every organization did that, council would be in quite a spot. "Basically we have no where else to go," Hallman said, adding the board‘s revenue base must be met no matter where the funds come from. Council agreed to further disâ€" cuss all requests at the final budâ€" get meeting scheduled to Dec. 13. The Chnstmas Bureau is open for business providing gifts to less fortunate members of the Kitchenerâ€"Waterloo community Groups wanting to distnbute Chnistmas hampers or toys to needy families are encouraged to work through the Bureau to reduce duplication Those who need help but are not on social assistance may obtain an application form at the House of Fnendship Men‘s Hosâ€" tel, 63 Charles St. E., Kitchener, the Emergency Food Hamper program, 807 Guelph St., Kitchâ€" ener; the Chandlerâ€"Mowat Com:â€" Christmas Bureau open to public While supplies last. FirneEss CGlLassics All 1999 Swimwear _ TPBR Y 75 King St. S. * Waterloo Town Square * 147â€"1424 The Y j s . â€" sys Pendant Pliut _ MP\ set in 14kt gold REAL SUITS Tired of looking all over for a suit that fits and looks great? Your search is over! for REAL WOMEN 20*°70"° orr Diamond t," or dazzle her with Half Carat tdw 3949 compare at $2000 00 or choose Quarter Carat tdw compare at $850.00 $249 P" Gleaming .20 Carat idw Diamond set in 14kt. Gold * *# .5 Earrings |__ munity Center, 222 Chandler Dr., Kitchener; the Courtlandâ€" Shelley Community Center, 1064G Courtland Ave., Kitchâ€" ener, the Sunnydale Community Resource Center, 514C Sunnyâ€" dale Place, Waterloo; or the Salvaâ€" uon Army Toy Center in Market Square (Jower level) in Kitchener The House of Friendship Chnistmas food hampers will be packed and distributed Dec. 6â€" 22. To donate money, food, or to volunteer. call 742â€"0312. Those wishing to donate toys to the Salvation Armys Toy Cenâ€" ter can call 745â€"2320. compare at $2000.00 compare at $850.00 @y A compare at $700.00 urnnrt"tflZSO,m 199 ‘470 « Y3