Library History

History

Sitka Public Library (formerly 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 other generous Sitka citizens. An addition, which more than doubled the library's size, was completed in 1983, and, more recently, an extensive library expansion/remodel broke ground in the fall of 2014, expanding the library by 60 percent.

The library was temporarily moved to the old Stratton Library building on the old Sheldon Jackson College campus while work was completed on our building. The expansion was completed in February, 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.