Anchorage Public Library (APL) and the Anchorage Library Foundation (ALF) are working to re-establish a downtown library. This project is made possible by a generous bequest from Janet and John Goetz, long-time downtown residents who had a vision to bring back a walkable library to serve the diverse needs of downtown residents, workers and visitors.
Over 25 years ago, community member Janet Goetz initiated a campaign to bring the downtown library to life. When she passed away in 2010, that dream took a large step forward with her generous donation to ALF, of a 7.2-million-dollar trust explicitly to open a branch within the historic Anchorage townsite. After some false starts, plans appeared to be making progress in 2017 with renewed interest from the City, however the trust funds were not enough to fully complete the project and cover library operations, so the project was placed on pause. The following decade brought a 7.1 earthquake, a pandemic, and continued fiscal uncertainty that further delayed the planning process.
During the course of the project, multiple sites have been explored including the front runner, Old City Hall, a building located at 524 West 4th Ave. While a popular choice, updated studies were required to ensure the space could functionally support a library.
In 2021 ALF received a 2.5-million-dollar State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Division of Community and Regional Affairs Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund Grant. These funds allowed for an updated engineering survey and design plan to help determine the viability of the Old City Hall location. The results of the study determined the building could house a library within a narrow scope to accommodate both capital budgets and physical limitations.
From 2021-2025, the Municipality of Anchorage established memorandums of understanding with ALF to move the project forward; and APL received initial design concepts, completed a new survey directed to Downtown residents and business owners, and developed an operating budget based on the Old City Hall location
Today, APL has incorporated past and recent community feedback to design a library that will be an important part of downtown revitalization and serve residents, workers, and visitors.
Once complete the library will provide:
The Municipality of Anchorage will operate the Downtown Branch Library for a minimum of twelve years once construction is complete.
Check back here for future updates and new timelines as they become available.
To provide feedback on this project please e-mail apl@anchorageak.gov
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