Shirly Jackson Community Library
🏢 Kake City School District · Kake, Alaska
Shirly Jackson Community Library
The Shirly Jackson Community Library in Kake, Alaska is a hard-won community resource on Kupreanof Island, rebuilt through local determination after sitting dormant for 16 years — and named in honor of a beloved local teacher who shaped generations of students in this Tlingit community.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 175 LIBRARY DR, KAKE, AK 99830
Phone: (907) 785-3741
Website: kakeschools.com
Plus Code: 9488X3F5+WH (KAKE, AK)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Shirly Jackson Community Library
Housed inside Kake High School at 175 Library Drive, the Shirly Jackson Community Library serves Kake, a Tlingit community of roughly 600 residents on Kupreanof Island in Southeast Alaska, accessible only by plane or ferry. The library closed in 1999 when it lost its librarian, leaving the community without a public library for over a decade. In 2015, the Kake City School District, the City of Kake, community volunteers, and an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer joined forces to renovate and reopen the collection. The revived library features bean bags, potted plants, six public computers, and free Wi-Fi, and welcomes donations of novels, graphic novels, picture books published within the last ten years, and historical Alaska and Tlingit materials. Cardholders can also access SLED databases and the Alaska Digital Library for eBooks and audiobooks from anywhere on the island.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Named for Shirly Jackson, a community teacher honored for her lasting influence on generations of Kake students
- Closed 1999–2015 and revived through a grassroots community effort with an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer
- Located inside Kake High School — a shared community-school resource on Kupreanof Island
- Collects and preserves Alaska Native history, Tlingit oral histories, and local historical materials
- Free public Wi-Fi and six computer terminals available during open hours
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your free Kake library card unlocks Alaska's statewide digital resources through SLED and the Alaska Digital Library:
📚 Services
- Book lending and circulation
- Public computers (6 terminals) and free Wi-Fi
- Alaska Digital Library eBooks & audiobooks via OverDrive/Libby
- SLED statewide database access
- Donations accepted: novels, graphic novels, picture books (last 10 years), Alaska & Tlingit historical materials
🎸 Programs
- Youth story time and children's programming
- Yoga and community wellness sessions
- Community events and gatherings
📍 Nearby Libraries in Southeast Alaska
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to the Shirly Jackson Community Library in Kake?
The library is located at 175 Library Drive inside Kake High School. Kake is on Kupreanof Island in Southeast Alaska and is accessible by small plane or the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system. There is no road connection to the outside Alaska highway network.
Why did the Kake library close for 16 years, and how did it reopen?
The library closed in 1999 when it no longer had a librarian. In 2015, the Kake City School District, the City of Kake, community members, and an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer partnered to renovate the space and restock the shelves, reopening it as a community resource after more than a decade of closure.
What kinds of materials does the library most need?
The library welcomes donations of novels, graphic novels, and picture books published within the last ten years. It especially values historical Alaska materials, Tlingit books, and oral history recordings that reflect the heritage of the Kake community.
Can I access eBooks or online resources from Kake?
Yes. Your free Kake library card gives you access to the Alaska Digital Library (via the Libby/OverDrive app) for eBooks and audiobooks, as well as SLED — Alaska's Statewide Library Electronic Doorway — for databases, live homework tutoring, and research tools, all available 24/7 from any internet-connected device.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.