Staff starts a new chapter for library

Moving more than 100,000 books is a daunting task

chris.calcino@thechronicle.com.au THE prospect of moving more than 100,000 books to a new library is still daunting for Wendy Langerak, even though she has done it all before.

Toowoomba City Library staff have spent the past week stacking, packing and hauling off tonnes of tomes to their temporary new home at 618 Ruthven St.

Ms Langerak was on the payroll when the current Victoria St site, due for demolition, was opened in 1988.

“It’s sad that we’re leaving this building after so long, especially at such a central location,” she said.

“But the new building looks wonderful, with a lot of natural light and colours.

“It’s really the end of an era.”

Library manager Pam Armstrong said the move was ahead of time, meaning the new Ruthven St site would be fully functional by March 31.

A specialist library relocation company, Quantum Libraries, has been called in from Brisbane to assist in the move.

Shifting books is apparently big business, with libraries in Dalby and Grafton to be relocated in the coming weeks.

“I think everyone who works here is pretty excited about the move to a new, modern library,” Ms Armstrong said.

Books can still be returned to the Local History Library at 476 Ruthven St.

A mega book sale will be held at the Victoria St site from March 27 to 29.

PHOTOS: KEVIN FARMER thechronicle.com.au ON THE MOVE: Library staff helping move more than 100,000 books to a temporary new library are (from left) Wendy Langerak, Katie Wegener, Allan Duffy, Ann Batham and Leonie Youngberry.

LOOKING BACK: Wendy Langerak holds a picture of herself taken at the opening of Toowoomba City Library on Victoria St in 1988.

MEMORIES: Librarian Wendy Langerak (nee Bass) gets to work when the Toowoomba City Library on Victoria St was opened in 1988.