Today, our new Ketchikan Public Library is in early stages of construction and on schedule to be open to the community and visitors late Fall 2012.
Our community has received a challenge grant from the Rasmuson Foundation. Through this challenge, the Rasmuson Foundation will match every donation received dollar to dollar up to $500,000. This incredible gift presents an opportunity for the community to come together to achieve the maximum goal of this challenge grant, and in doing so, secure the final funding necessary to furnish and equip the interior our new Ketchikan Public Library and encourages all of us to play a vital part in the realization of our new library as a valuable legacy for generations to come and the vital future and success of Ketchikan.
The Friends of the Library recognize this challenge as a rare opportunity. It is not every day you are offered a guarantee to double your donation at no additional cost to yourself, or receive a 100% return on your investment.
The Friends a leading the effort to maximize this challenge by reaching out to residents, businesses, corporations and civic organizations and extending invitations to invest in “Our Next Chapter.” through donations to fully achieve the Rasmuson Challenge and ensure our new library is well equipped and ready for our community and visitors to enjoy.
We invite you to join us in this next success of “Our Next Chapter” by donating today. Thank you!
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. Over the following six years Multiple locations, design concepts and funding options were explored. Through great perseverance and untold hours of volunteer time an effort, the community successful selected a site, completed the design and secured the funding to build our new library project.
