Archives Sneak Peek

Check out the gridwork for the compact shelving going into the archives! These rows of shelves will be able to be rolled back and forth to maximize storage space. The storage room is double the size of our old storage room, but has triple the capacity (due to the mobile shelving). It will hold 4,313 linear feet (1.3 kilometers) of archival materials.

The shelving rests on tracks built in to the floor, which was specially leveled. The room is essentially a “building within a building” with special supports travelling down through the lower two levels.

The red canister in the corner contains a gas fire suppression system. In the event of a fire, the gas will displace the oxygen in the room, thus suppressing the fire without need for water.The room has its own HVAC system. It will be thoroughly cleaned before we move in. Except for special tours, only staff will normally be allowed in this room, although the door has  a little “porthole” that will allow you to see in from the hallway.

Shelves are 25’ long, and fully loaded weigh about 2,000 lbs (900 kg) each. Two lbs of hand pressure on the wheel will move or stop an entire shelf; 12 lbs of pressure will move 6 shelves.

~Thanks to Grebel Librarian and Archivist Laureen Harder-Gissing for photos and fun facts! Thanks to Paul Penner for contributing photos as well.