Big Lake Public Library
🏢 Matanuska-Susitna Borough Library System · Big Lake, Alaska
Big Lake Public Library
Opened in 2002, Big Lake Public Library anchors a recreational lakeside community 13 miles from Wasilla — housing the unique Jo Cassidy Alaska Reading Room and serving Mat-Su Valley residents with free programs, digital resources, and Mon–Sat hours six days a week.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–6pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | 10am–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 3140 S. Big Lake Road, Big Lake, AK 99652
Phone: (907) 861-7635
Website: matsu.gov
Plus Code: 93HGG5XJ+22 (Big Lake, AK)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Big Lake Public Library
Opened in 2002, the Big Lake Public Library serves the communities of Big Lake, Houston, Knik-Goose Bay, Meadow Lakes, and the wider Matanuska-Susitna Valley from its building on S. Big Lake Road, about 13 miles from Wasilla. As one of five branches of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Library System, it holds more than 23,000 volumes and circulates roughly 42,500 items a year to a service population of nearly 10,000 residents. The library's Jo Cassidy Alaska Reading Room — converted from a former quiet room with advocate-funded shelving — houses a focused collection of Alaska history books and Big Lake community memorabilia. Year-round programming for children, teens, and adults is sustained in part by the Big Lake Library Advocates, an all-volunteer nonprofit that has supported the library since 1992. Big Lake itself is home to the kennel of four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race champion Martin Buser, and the library celebrates that heritage through community programs and its Alaska Reading Room collections.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Opened 2002 as the Mat-Su Borough's regional library for Big Lake, Houston, Knik-Goose Bay, and Meadow Lakes
- Jo Cassidy Alaska Reading Room — dedicated collection of Alaska history books, memorabilia, and Big Lake community archives
- More than 23,000 volumes with approximately 42,500 items circulated annually
- Free Wi-Fi, notary services, and a reservable conference and meeting room
- Supported since 1992 by the Big Lake Library Advocates, an all-volunteer community nonprofit
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Big Lake cardholders and Alaska residents can access these free digital resources:
📚 Services
- Print books, magazines, and audiovisual materials
- Free Wi-Fi and public computer access
- Notary services
- Conference and meeting room available for reservation
- Library card issuance (in-person, valid state ID required)
- Interlibrary loan via the Alaska Library Catalog (ALC)
🎸 Programs
- Summer Reading Program — themed events including MAT-SAR Search and Rescue Dogs, STEAM Craft Day, Poetry Slam, and Kids Don't Float water-safety events
- PreK Story Time and Lapsit Story Time — recurring sessions for young children
- After-school programs for school-age children
- STEAM program — hybrid online and in-person science, technology, engineering, arts, and math activities
- Adult programs: Conversation Club (monthly), crochet and knitting workshops, Literature and Lattes book chats
- Community events: author talks, talent shows, bingo nights, and Iditarod-themed activities
📍 Nearby Libraries in Southcentral Alaska
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Big Lake Public Library serve residents outside Big Lake itself?
Yes. As the Mat-Su Borough's regional branch for a large portion of the Valley, the library officially serves residents of Big Lake, Houston, Knik-Goose Bay, Meadow Lakes, Willow, and Wasilla — reflecting the dispersed settlement pattern of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, where five borough libraries cover an area larger than many U.S. states.
What is the Jo Cassidy Alaska Reading Room?
It is a dedicated room inside the library — formerly the building's quiet room — converted with advocate-funded shelving to house a curated collection of Alaska history books, memorabilia, and materials documenting the history of Big Lake and the Mat-Su region. It serves as the library's local-history archive and a resource for anyone researching life in Alaska's Susitna Valley. The room is named for Jo Cassidy, the library's longtime director.
Can I use the library's digital resources from home?
Yes. With an active Big Lake library card you can borrow eBooks, audiobooks, and digital magazines through the Alaska Digital Library (Libby), read the Anchorage Daily News and Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman online at no cost, and access dozens of databases — genealogy, health, business, and more — through SLED (Statewide Library Electronic Doorway) at lam.alaska.gov/sled.
How does the library connect to Big Lake's dog-mushing heritage?
Big Lake is home to the kennel of four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race champion Martin Buser, and mushing is woven into local identity. The library celebrates this through Iditarod-themed community programs and the Jo Cassidy Alaska Reading Room's Alaska wilderness and sled-dog literature.
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