Planning, hard work, and a lot of boxes needed to move Transcona Library

Roughly 40,000 books had to be packed up and moved in a short window of time

March 4, 2019

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.

The move was mapped out so employees knew where every book had to go.

“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.

Around 20 employees helped pack and unpack roughly 40,000 books.

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.”

Libraries, Recreation and Leisure Celebrating City Employees

Was this information helpful?

How can we make this web page better?

Information collected will be used to improve our website. Do not use this form to submit a request for service or information because it will not be forwarded to departments for response. To submit a request for service or information, contact 311.

This form is not intended to collect personal information; however, any personal information you choose to include in your comments is collected by the City of Winnipeg under the authority of section 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of improving our website and will not be used or disclosed for any other purposes, except as authorized by law. Contact the Corporate Access and Privacy Officer by mail (City Clerk’s Department, Susan A. Thompson Building, 510 Main Street, Winnipeg MB, R3B 1B9) or by telephone (311) if you have any questions about the collection of this information.

Ces renseignements sont-ils utiles?

Comment pourrait-on améliorer cette page Web?

Les renseignements recueillis serviront à l’amélioration de notre site Web. Prière de ne pas se servir de ce formulaire pour soumettre une demande de service ou de renseignements, car la demande ne sera pas transmise au service en question. Pour soumettre une demande de service ou de renseignements, veuillez communiquer avec le 311.

Le présent formulaire ne vise pas à recueillir des renseignements personnels. Cependant, les renseignements personnels que vous choisissez d’inclure dans vos commentaires sont recueillis par la Ville de Winnipeg en conformité avec l’alinéa 36(1)b) de la Loi sur l’accès à l’information et la protection de la vie privée dans le but d’améliorer son site Web et ne seront ni utilisés ni divulgués pour d’autres raisons, sauf dans les cas où cela est autorisé par la loi. Communiquez avec l’agent de l’accès à l’information et de la protection de la vie privée de la Ville par courrier au Bureau du greffier, immeuble Susan-A.-Thompson, 510, rue Main, Winnipeg (Manitoba) R3B 1B9, ou par téléphone au 311 si vous avez des questions sur la collecte de ces renseignements.