Tuzzy Consortium Library
🏢 North Slope Borough · Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow), Alaska
Tuzzy Consortium Library
The Tuzzy Consortium Library serves the northernmost public library community in the United States, providing both public library services to the entire North Slope Borough and academic library support for Iḷisaġvik College from its home inside the Iñupiat Heritage Center in Utqiagvik — the city officially renamed from Barrow in December 2016 as part of a broader effort to honor the Iñupiaq language. Named for Evelyn Tuzroyluk Higbee of Point Hope, a founding board member of the college, the library is also a federal depository holding U.S. government documents alongside one of Alaska's most specialized Arctic and polar research collections.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 12pm–7pm |
| Tuesday | 12pm–7pm |
| Wednesday | 12pm–7pm |
| Thursday | 12pm–7pm |
| Friday | 12pm–7pm |
| Saturday | 12pm–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 5421 North Star Street, BARROW, AK 99723
Phone: +1-907-852-4050
Website: tuzzy.org
Plus Code: C33576XW+74 (BARROW, AK)
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Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Tuzzy Consortium Library
The Tuzzy Consortium Library is a dual-purpose institution: it serves as the public library for the entire North Slope Borough and as the academic library for Iḷisaġvik College, Alaska's only tribally controlled college. Located inside the Iñupiat Heritage Center on North Star Street, the library holds a growing archive and a circulating Alaskan section with particular emphasis on Arctic and polar regions information, the North Slope, and Iñupiaq history, language, and culture. As a Federal Depository Library, Tuzzy receives and makes available U.S. government publications — a rare designation for a remote community library. The library is named in honor of Evelyn Tuzroyluk Higbee of Point Hope, a member of the original board of higher education for the college. Cardholders have access to the Alaska Digital Library eBooks and audiobooks through OverDrive, Kanopy streaming video, LinkedIn Learning, and live homework help. The city of Utqiagvik was officially renamed from Barrow on December 1, 2016, following a voter-approved referendum that supported the use of the Iñupiaq language as part of a decolonization process.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Northernmost public library in the United States, serving the entire North Slope Borough from Utqiagvik
- Named for Evelyn Tuzroyluk Higbee of Point Hope, a founding board member of Iḷisaġvik College
- Federal Depository Library — one of Alaska's few remote communities holding U.S. government documents
- Specializes in Arctic and polar research, Iñupiaq language and culture, and North Slope history
- Located inside the Iñupiat Heritage Center; serves dual public and academic roles for Iḷisaġvik College
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Tuzzy cardholders can borrow, stream, and learn free through Alaska and national digital collections:
📚 Services
- Public library card for North Slope Borough residents
- Circulating collection of books, eBooks, audiobooks, DVDs, and magazines
- Federal Depository Library — U.S. government documents available to the public
- Arctic, polar, and Iñupiaq specialized research collection
- Interlibrary loan service
- Meeting room reservations
- Public computers and Internet access
- Live Homework Help and Learning Express databases
🎸 Programs
- Children's Storytime (weekly on Saturdays at 1pm)
- Crafternoon (Saturdays at 1:30pm)
- Thematic book club — Vampires & Chicken Nuggets (third Monday monthly at 6pm)
- Chess Club (second Saturday monthly, noon–4pm)
- Needle Stories Fiber Arts Group (first Saturday monthly, 1–3pm)
- Suicide prevention community events and outreach
📍 Nearby Libraries in Northern Alaska
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called the Tuzzy Consortium Library and not Barrow Public Library?
The library is named after Evelyn Tuzroyluk Higbee of Point Hope, a member of the original board of higher education for Iḷisaġvik College. It operates as a consortium serving both the North Slope Borough public and the college's students and faculty. The city itself was also officially renamed from Barrow to Utqiagvik on December 1, 2016, following a community referendum to honor the Iñupiaq language.
What is unique about the Tuzzy Consortium Library's collections?
Tuzzy holds one of Alaska's most specialized Arctic and polar research collections, with particular emphasis on the North Slope, Iñupiaq history, language, and culture. It is also a Federal Depository Library, meaning it receives and makes available U.S. government documents — a rare distinction for any library, and especially notable for a remote Arctic community.
Is Tuzzy open to the general public or only college students?
Tuzzy is fully open to the public. It serves as the public library for the entire North Slope Borough as well as the academic library for Iḷisaġvik College. Any resident of the North Slope Borough can obtain a library card and use the full collection, digital resources, and programs.
What digital resources can I access with a Tuzzy library card?
Cardholders get free access to the Alaska Digital Library for eBooks and audiobooks via the Libby app, Kanopy for film and documentary streaming, LinkedIn Learning for professional skills courses, Brainpop and Explora research databases, the New York Times, Live Homework Help, and Learning Express.
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