June 2025
How Pinawa Got Its Library (a tale of books, boxes, and big ideas)
For this month, Winnipeg River Arts Council features Pinawa Library. Back in the early 1960s, the families moving from Deep River to the brand-new town of Pinawa, Manitoba, quickly realized something was missing: books! No bookstores, no libraries—just lots of curious minds and empty shelves.
So, what did they do? They got creative. A group of determined locals kicked off a book drive, putting out the call for donations. The community responded with heart—and books started pouring in. With nowhere else to go, the growing collection took up residence in the Gilbert School, stored in boxes and shared on a help-yourself basis. It wasn’t fancy, but it was a start.
Soon enough, people realized the book situation needed a serious upgrade. They took action—petitioning the government and making a trip to Winnipeg to lobby for funding. The province agreed to help, but with one condition: they’d pick the books. The residents politely said, “Thanks, but we’ve got this,” and took charge of their own collection.
Margaret Sweatman
Volunteers rolled up their sleeves, catalogued books, organized shelves, and made the whole thing work. Eventually, a Library Board was formed, staff were hired, and the Pinawa Public Library began to grow—not just in size, but in spirit.
Current head librarian is Lois Bernardin, supported by library assistants Cheryl Michaluk, Jennie Miller, and Denise Van Den Bussche. They also have two student assistants, Mika Rasmussen and Raquel Long. Patrons can access the internet via the computers, use the free WIFI, get books from other libraries, make photocopies, borrow walking poles and pedometers, and select videos from a huge collection. Drop-in activities include The Knit Shift and children’s story time.
Today, it’s more than just a library—it’s a hub of stories, learning, and community. From books to videos, radon detectors, toys, and games, it offers something for everyone. With fun programs like StoryWalk, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the Little Free Library, author visits and presentations, it continues to thrive—powered by dedicated volunteers, creative fundraising, and a whole lot of hometown pride.
