Noel Wien Public Library
🏢 Fairbanks North Star Borough Public Libraries · Fairbanks, Alaska
Noel Wien Public Library
Built on the site of Fairbanks' original airstrip and named for Alaska's pioneer bush pilot Noel Wien, this 65,000-square-foot community anchor completed a $14 million transformation in June 2024 — and still shelters the beloved 'An Alaskan Fairy Tale' mural that has greeted children since 1980.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–8pm |
| 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: 1215 Cowles Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701
Phone: (907) 459-1020
Website: fnsb.gov
Plus Code: 93PJR7Q7+66 (Fairbanks, AK)
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📖 About Noel Wien Public Library
Noel Wien Public Library is the flagship branch of the Fairbanks North Star Borough library system, named for Noel Wien (1899–1977), the Wisconsin-born aviator who made the first commercial flight from Fairbanks to Nome in 1925 and founded Wien Alaska Airways. The building stands on the grounds of Weeks Field — Fairbanks' original airstrip — and was designed by the Anchorage firm CCC/HOK; voters approved a $4.9 million bond and the library opened on October 29, 1977. A 1997–1998 expansion brought the building to approximately 65,000 square feet; a $14 million renovation and 4,000-square-foot addition completed in June 2024 added a teen room, a MakerSpace, the Countryman Café, illuminated bookshelves, and renovated conference and auditorium spaces. The library holds roughly 280,000 items and welcomes an average of 1,080 visitors each day, serving as the administrative hub for the Fairbanks North Star Borough's North Pole Branch and the broader statewide Alaska library network.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Berry Room children's area featuring 'An Alaskan Fairy Tale' — begun by wildlife painter William D. Berry and completed after his 1979 death by Caldecott Medal–winning illustrator Trina Schart Hyman
- Internationally displayed art collection including works by Alfred Skondovitch, with a self-guided Art Bingo trail through the building
- Book Tile Project at the main entrance: ceramic tiles resembling book covers installed since 1998, contributing over $80,000 to library improvements
- New 1,900 sq ft teen room and dedicated MakerSpace added in the $14 million June 2024 renovation
- Stands on the historic site of Weeks Field — the very airstrip that pioneer namesake Noel Wien once landed on
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Fairbanks North Star Borough cardholders can stream, download and research free through Alaska's shared collections:
📚 Services
- Free public computers and Wi-Fi
- Four reservable study rooms (call reference desk: 907-459-1047, up to 2 hours/day)
- Large meeting rooms and auditorium for non-commercial public events
- Printing and copying services
- Reference and research assistance at the desk, by phone (907-459-1047), and by email
- Bookmobile serving Ester, Two Rivers/Pleasant Valley, Salcha, Fox, and homebound patrons
- Administrative hub for the North Pole Branch Library
🎸 Programs
- Summer Reading Program for all ages
- Children's and family programs in the Berry Room
- Teen programs in the 1,900 sq ft young adult space
- Adult programming including genealogy research events with the Fairbanks Genealogical Society
- Art programming tied to the permanent collection: Library Art Bingo, origami, blackout poetry
📍 Nearby Libraries in Alaska
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Noel Wien, and why is the library built on Weeks Field?
Noel Wien (1899–1977) was Alaska's pioneering bush pilot: he made the first flight from Anchorage to Fairbanks (1924), the first commercial Fairbanks-to-Nome run (1925), and the first crossing of the Bering Strait to Asia (1929), then founded Wien Alaska Airways in 1927. The library opened in 1977 — the year he passed away — on the site of Weeks Field, the same Fairbanks airstrip Wien once used, connecting the building's identity directly to his legacy.
What is the Berry Room, and did the famous mural survive the 2024 renovation?
The Berry Room is the library's children's area, named for Fairbanks wildlife painter William D. Berry. He began a mural called 'An Alaskan Fairy Tale' for the space before his death in 1979; Caldecott Medal–winning illustrator Trina Schart Hyman completed it in 1980. The mural was carefully preserved during the $14 million 2023–2024 renovation and remains a centerpiece of the Berry Room today.
What does a library card here give you if you live in a remote part of Alaska?
A Fairbanks North Star Borough card is accepted at more than 90% of public libraries statewide through Alaska's shared catalog. It also unlocks free digital access anywhere in Alaska: the Alaska Digital Library (eBooks and audiobooks via Libby), hoopla (streaming media), and SLED (statewide research databases from the Alaska State Library) — all usable with nothing but an internet connection.
What was added in the 2024 renovation, and how long was the library closed?
The library closed in May 2023 for a $14 million renovation and 4,000-square-foot expansion. It reopened June 1, 2024 — about 13 months later. The project added a 1,900 sq ft teen room, a new MakerSpace, the Countryman Café near the Berry Room, illuminated bookshelves, overhauled restrooms and HVAC systems, and renovated conference and auditorium spaces.
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