Projects

Anchorage Library Renewal Initiative

The goal of the Initiative is to build 21st century libraries that encourage lifelong learning and community engagement, and reflect the diversity of Anchorage's neighbrohoods and residents. Thanks to the generous support of the community, we are over halfway to our goal of raising $21 million for the Initiative. The Anchorage Public Library has renovation or upgrades planned for each of its locations. Review the status of projects by clicking on the list to the right.

 

Anchorage 21st Century Libraries

The Anchorage Public Library Community Plan is finished!

The findings are unsettling—our public library is in a struggle for survival. In Alaska’s boom and bust economy, the library has seen deep cuts during difficult years, but little restoration during good years. If left unchecked, current funding trends will lead to a library system that is at best mediocre and at worst irrelevant. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. The Library Community Plan offers exciting and empowering recommendations on how to turn our library into an indispensible resource for the community.

Over the past year, national library experts Himmel & Wilson Library Consultants worked with local outreach specialists Agnew::Beck to challenge our community to imagine a world-class, 21st century library for Anchorage. The team did a statistical comparison of APL to peer libraries and introduced innovative ideas and service models from other successful libraries. They shared these ideas and gathered feedback from residents through focus groups, an online survey, personal interviews, a library summit and town hall meeting. Over 6,000 people participated in the process to create a community-supported vision for the future of our library.

The plan focuses on five categories and includes very specific recommendations in each category to move APL beyond survival mode, into a thriving public library:

1. Create a more welcoming, community-centered library
2. Encourage a new generation of library users while engaging traditional users
3. Enhance customer service
4. Let people know what the library offers
5. Reduce operating costs and secure new sources of funding

The Library Foundation, the Friends of the Library, and the Anchorage Public Library are committed to ensuring that our library thrives in the future. However, it will take the support of the entire community to advance the recommendations of the plan. As a Library supporter, you understand that a thriving library is one of the most important resources for our community. Your support will be critical over the next year as we put the plan in motion.

Read the plan and learn more at: www.Anchorage21stCenturyLibraries.org.

To join our effort, contact info@anchoragelibraryfoundation.org