History

Sitka Public Library, formerly known as Kettleson Memorial Library, is a public library serving the City and Borough of Sitka since March 20, 1923. It is now tax supported, but owes a great debt of gratitude to the Sitka Library Association, whose volunteers provided library service in Sitka for nearly fifty years.

Our building was built in 1967 with a gift from Theodore Kettleson, a longtime Sitka resident. Additional funds came from the Library Services and Construction Act, and gifts from the generous citizens of Sitka. An addition, which more than doubled the library's size, was completed in 1983, and an extensive library expansion and remodel broke ground in the fall of 2014, expanding the library by 60%. 

The library was temporarily moved to the Stratton Library building on the old Sheldon Jackson College campus while work was completed on our building. The expansion was completed in February of 2016, and the library reopened at 320 Harbor Drive on February 4, 2016, under the name Sitka Public Library.

We are proud of our beautiful setting and excellent library service supported by Sitka's citizens.