Community support for a public library in Ketchikan dates back to 1900, about the time of the town’s incorporation. Local women, organized as the Ladies Library Club, assembled the town’s first library collection…a single bookcase.
As volunteer supporters continued to build the library collection, the was housed in several different locations over the years.
In 1967, the library moved into its current location in the Centennial Building on Dock Street, sharing space with the City Museum. This two-story structure was built to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of Alaska’s purchase by the United States.
In 1985, library supporters officially organized as the Friends of the Ketchikan Library. This committed membership holds the mission to advance library operations and services.
Ketchikan residents recognize the library as an important investment for Ketchikan and have long held the vision of a new library facility that is accessible to all and meets current and future needs of the community.
In 2004, the Friends expanded its focus to provide community leadership and advocacy for a new library facility. Multiple locations, design concepts and funding options were explored. For various reasons related to community priorities, local economies, and reduced public/private funding resources, timing for a new library facility was delayed.
Today, the new library for Ketchikan, along with over 20 library projects in other Alaska communities, is part of a statewide library construction program. Sixcommunities throughout Alaska received state funding for library construction in July 2010.
Ketchikan will have the opportunity to apply for state funding in 2011, and the potential of the community’s vision of a new library becoming a reality by 2013.
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