Anyone who has ever moved knows the process takes a lot of planning and hard work. The same is true when moving an entire library.
“A lot more goes into moving a library than you would think,” said Alan Chorney, Transcona Library Branch Head.
The former Transcona Library, on Victoria Avenue West, closed on February 16, 2019. The new library will be open to the public on March 7 at 10 a.m.
Chorney, along with other Winnipeg Public Library staff, have been working to figure out what was in the old library and how that is transferring into the new space.
The library’s collection includes roughly 40,000 books. All of them had to be boxed up and moved roughly two kilometres to the new library on Transcona Boulevard.
“We had taller shelves in the old library and the shelves we have now are a little lower to create a more open feeling,” said Chorney.
Around 20 employees are helping with the physical move, including setting up the space, packing and unpacking books, and shelving the collection.
“We have also had dozens of other people from various departments helping out with each aspect of moving into the new branch,” said Chorney.
He added he has noticed employees’ passion for their work growing in anticipation of the new branch opening.
“It gets them revitalized about all the programs and services the library can offer,” he said.
The former Transcona library was built in 1961 and was 8,574 sq. ft. The new library is approximately 13,500 sq. ft.
“I just can’t wait to show this space to the public,” said Chorney. “I want this to be the place in Transcona people come.”