THUNDER BAY — Waverley Library will close to the public on Monday, Nov. 23, 2026, as Thunder Bay Public Library prepares for a major renovation of the 75-year-old branch.
The final day for public access will be Sunday, Nov. 22. Construction is scheduled to begin Jan. 2, 2027.
Renovation will address foundation, accessibility and water issues
Thunder Bay Public Library says the project will involve far more than cosmetic upgrades.
Work will address the building’s foundation, water infiltration, accessibility and safety, while also redesigning the interior to better reflect how residents use the library today.
“Waverley has served this city for 75 years, and the work we are about to do is what allows it to serve the next 75,” said Richard Togman, CEO of Thunder Bay Public Library.
“This is not cosmetic. We are dealing with the foundation, with water, with accessibility, and with a layout that no longer matches how people use a library.”
Larger children’s library and new community spaces planned
The renovation will include a children’s library approximately twice the size of the current space.
Other planned improvements include:
- new accessible washrooms;
- a redesigned entrance;
- a small business and co-working space; and
- an Indigenous Knowledge Centre.
The scale of the work requires the building to be fully closed during construction.
Other Thunder Bay library branches will remain open
Brodie Library, Mary J.L. Black Library and County Park Library will remain open throughout the Waverley closure.
Thunder Bay Public Library says it is finalizing plans for expanded service at County Park Library to help provide additional coverage on the city’s north side.
Confirmed service details are expected to be released well before Waverley closes Nov. 23.
Renovation plans to be unveiled in October
Full renovation plans, including floor plans and renderings, will be presented to the public at a launch event on Thursday, Oct. 8.
The plans will remain available for public viewing on Friday, Oct. 9.
The public presentation will give residents their first detailed look at how the historic branch will be reconfigured and how the new spaces are expected to function.
Staff expected to continue regular shifts through 2026
Thunder Bay Public Library says all staff are expected to continue working their regular shifts through the end of 2026.
Any staffing changes beginning in the new year are being discussed with the library’s union partners.
What the closure means for north-side library users
Waverley Library has long been a major public service hub on Thunder Bay’s north side, providing access to books, computers, programming, study space and community resources.
Its temporary closure will place greater importance on County Park Library and other branches, particularly for residents who depend on in-person library services.
The planned renovation is also significant because it aims to preserve and modernize one of the city’s longstanding civic buildings rather than replace it.
Thunder Bay Public Library says service arrangements during construction will be confirmed before the closure takes effect.
Updated information on the renovation and temporary service changes is available through the Thunder Bay Public Library website.
