The Seldovia Public Library is a State of Alaska-recognized non-profit corporation established in 1935 and in continuous operation since then.

Part of the Alaska Library System, the library has always been staffed solely by volunteers and is managed by a director who is also a member of the seven-member library board. Circulation services are available to seasonal and permanent residents and visitors to the Seldovia community without charge.

The early years

The original library was directed by Susan Bloch English and located in the Post Office building. The founding board of directors included:

• Juanita Anderson
• Mrs. Thomas Garner
• Lloyd A. Hansen
• H. H. Malcolm
• Helen Malcolm
• Jean McCullaugh
• Joe V. Miller
• R. C. Morris
• Ruth A. Vincent
• Dorothy Warner

How we grew

The library is presently located in the central sections of the city multipurpose building. This section was constructed by the library using a grant from the State of Alaska and build on city-owned property with the stipulation that the city would own the building and the library would use its portion rent-free. The 4288′ sq. construction was designed by architect Harold Alsted and built by contractor Hugh Smith, at a total project cost of $198,000. The new building was dedicated on March 31, 1979 in a public ceremony presided over by then-Mayor Darlene Crawford.

Adding technology

In the mid 1990s, thanks to another grant from the State of Alaska and the hard work of library volunteer Helen Hille, city manager Ivan Widdom, and Seldovian Chris Lethin, the library purchased its first computer with software to manage circulation.

In 2001 the library received its first computer for public use from the Gates Foundation. A second computer was purchased in 2005 for public use with a followup grant.

In 2004 the library received a donation of a newer, purpose-built computer from Tom Glover and under the supervision of library volunteer Savannah Lewis, new software was purchased and the collection was fully catalogued into a new circulation program, ResourceMate. In the spring of 2009, a computer donation from another library patron allowed the library to realize its long-held dream of having a dedicated, stand-alone collection catalog look-up computer. Still on the wishlist is making the collection catalog available online.

Today

The current library director is Shirly Giles, who took over from Susan English. Members of today’s library board are:

• Shirly Giles
• Leny Buchman
• Sherri Burt
• Ila Dillon
• Savannah Lewis
• Tracie Merrill
• Tracy Philpot

The library board meets quarterly on the last Wednesday of April, July, October, and January in the library at 7 pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend board meetings, but participation is at the discretion of the meeting chairman.

The library obtains the majority of its annual operating budget in the form of a grant from the State of Alaska. This is augmented by donations from our patrons and proceeds from the sale of books, movies, and baked goods.

The library is staffed entirely by volunteers. Current library workers are:

• Shirly Giles
• Leny Buchman
• Paulie Carluccio
• Ila Dillon
• Savannah Lewis
• Tracie Merrill
• Susan Millay

We are always in need of more volunteers, including students looking to build up community service credentials for their college applications. If you can spare some time to help out the library, please contact Shirly Giles.

Library services

The library has a collection for adults and children of all ages of close to 10,000 books, magazines, audiobooks, music, and movies on DVD and videotape, and new items are added on a weekly basis. We also participate in the Interlibrary Loan system and can obtain materials from libraries all over the state upon request.

Books and magazines are loaned for three weeks and movies for one week; all items may be renewed by phone or email. We do not have a formal overdue charge, but patrons are asked to make a donation to the library operating fund in proportion to how late their items are.

We have two computers for public use, available during library hours without charge. Computers may be used for 20 minutes at a time when other patrons are waiting; when there is no waiting line, there is no time limit on use. The computers have DSL internet, browser access to internet-based email, office suites, and some instructional and game software. Computer use assistance is available on Saturdays, and informal tutoring may be available on Saturday by prearranged appointment. We add free wireless internet during 2008, with coverage in the Multipurpose Room and the library front steps as well as in the library itself.

A sale shelf is located inside the library, stocked with items weeded from the collection and donations from the public. The library also hosts a free paperback trade rack and give-away shelf. Our annual book sale is held on July 4, but we often offer special sales during the monthly crafters’ bazaars, the first Saturday of the month.

The library occasionally hosts special events and classes, sponsored by the library itself or in cooperation with other local organizations. If your organization would like to use the library for a special event, please contact the director, Shirly Giles.