Moving an entire library collection into a new home is a task best done one book at a time.
The Canmore Public Library is moving into Elevation Place (the newly named multiplex) at the end of this summer and, with that in mind, officials are holding a contest to get the community involved.
In cooperation with the municipality, the library will choose 30 lucky winners to be part of a book brigade that will help move a small number of books down Main Street to the new location on Railway Avenue.
“We want to involve the community in the move, honour the history of the library in our community, and generate excitement for the opening of Elevation Place,” said Chris Bartolomie, Supervisor of Arts and Culture for the Town of Canmore.
It is the second time in 20 years the public library has changed location. In 1995, it was the entire Lawrence Grassi school body, 500 children, plus volunteers, that helped move all the books.
“Books were passed from one location to the next and spanned about two blocks,” said library director Michelle Preston. “We’ll be using the wagon this time instead of passing the books themselves because the distance is farther and we can protect the books if the weather isn’t great.”
Back then, the collection was 25,000 items and over 400 bankers’ boxes were used to pack everything up, with the library being closed for less than a week.
The upcoming book brigade will happen a few weeks before the grand opening of Elevation Place and today the collection has over 60,000 items.
While the library will be closed during the move, all e-resources and downloadable e-books, audiobooks and online access to library accounts will be available.
“Before shutting down we’ll encourage people to borrow as many items as possible,” Preston said. “We’ll extend the loan period to accommodate the closure, and have people return items at our new location.”
The book brigade is part of the larger community celebration plans surrounding the opening of the $39 million Elevation Place facility.
The contest is open to Canmore residents who have a current library membership until Aug. 5. To enter the draw, go to www.canmorelibrary.ab.ca or leave a ballot in the box at the library.
