Hold Your Next Event at the Library!
There’s room for you at the Library. From business meetings to weddings we have a space for your event. Free parking and convenient locations in Mid-town, Mountain View and Eagle River.
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.
How we got here
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
What's next
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:
- High speed internet and computer access
- Books and media for browsing/checkout, item return, and holds pickup
- A selection of Alaskana books for all ages
- A dedicated space for families
- A dedicated space for quiet study or co-work
- Library account and reference services
- Access to library online resources
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
A downtown library was chosen as our next branch due to the nature of the trust. Funds may not currently be used for any other location, for example South Anchorage. APL continually assesses community needs and long-term plans include additional service points across the municipality as resources become available.
The Goetz bequest stipulated that the library be named the Anchorage Original Townsite Library. APL’s naming conventions currently include location when naming branch libraries to connect them to the area or neighborhood where they reside.
Official- Anchorage Original Townsite Downtown Library.
In writing and colloquially – Anchorage Original Townsite Downtown Library, Anchorage Public Library - Downtown Branch, or Downtown Library.
As a walkable library, the Downtown Library is uniquely positioned to serve the diverse needs of downtown residents, workers, and visitors.
Like all of our library locations, the goal of the downtown branch will be to provide a welcoming and safe experience for all members of our community. Like many of our branches, APL will have contracted security on-site during open hours.
The library is a quick 8-minute walk from the public transit station. Visitors also have access to over 4,000 parking spaces including garages, meters, and pay lots. However, the Downtown Library is intended to be a walking library for folks visiting before or after work or on a lunch break, tourists exploring the area, or residents participating in other downtown activities who want to park once and enjoy multiple city amenities.
The construction and day-to-day operation of the Downtown Library are funded with a combination of private funds and a grant from the State of Alaska. The Anchorage Library Foundation and Friends of the Library will also support the Downtown Library by providing opportunities for the community to invest in downtown revitalization and show support for expanding library access.
As the fiduciary party for managing the Goetz trust, ALF will work with APL to ensure library operations remain sustainable without the use of municipal funds within the initial required 12-year time frame. As with any project of this scope, the needs of the community will change over time and as the Downtown Library evolves APL, ALF, and the MOA will work together on right sizing library needs beyond the first 12 years.
The municipal Real Estate Department is committed to working with Visit Anchorage to find a location that will support the needs of both visitors and locals.
The municipal Real Estate Department continually works to optimize use of municipally owned property including Old City Hall. Any future tenants would be announced by those tenants or by the MOA as applicable.
Construction is planned to begin in Summer 2026 with a target opening of early 2027.
Reading Rendezvous, Saturday, May 16
Join us on the Loussac Library lawn for fun activities, live entertainment, and so much more as we kick off the library's Summer Discovery reading program.
Get Growing with Library Seed Exchanges
Visit the Gerrish, Mountain View, or Chugiak-Eagle River libraries for free seeds or to share your own.