Frances Kibble Kenny Lake Public Library
🏢 Independent Community Library · Copper Center, Alaska
Frances Kibble Kenny Lake Public Library
Born from a traveling collection of books in boxes in the early 1960s and named for the tireless librarian who hand-delivered materials across the Copper River Valley, the Frances Kibble Kenny Lake Public Library is a volunteer-powered community anchor at Mile 5 Edgerton Highway — 250 miles east of Anchorage on the edge of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 1pm–4pm |
| Tuesday | 4pm–7pm |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 1pm–4pm |
| Friday | 1pm–4pm |
| Saturday | 1pm–4pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: Mile 5 Edgerton Highway, HC 60 Box 223, Copper Center, AK 99573
Phone: (907) 822-3015
Website: kennylakelibrary.org
Plus Code: 93HPPXGR+WW (Copper Center, AK)
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📖 About Frances Kibble Kenny Lake Public Library
The Frances Kibble Kenny Lake Public Library has served the remote Copper River Valley since the early 1960s, when the community's first library was a single bookshelf in the community hall, stocked with books Frances Kibble solicited by hand. Kibble pioneered library service here by begging resources, cutting envelopes in half for card pockets, and driving materials across the region before a dedicated building existed. A bookmobile extended the library's reach for approximately a decade starting around 1978, and the library was formally named in Frances Kibble's honor by board vote in February 2004. Entirely grant-funded with no local tax base — Kenny Lake is an unincorporated community in the Copper River Census Area — the library now operates out of a permanent building near Kenny Lake School, serving nearly 1,000 residents scattered across 24,000 square miles of wilderness adjacent to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Named in February 2004 for Frances Kibble, who pioneered library service in the Copper River Valley by hand-delivering books and cutting envelopes for card pockets before a permanent building or state funding existed
- Operated a bookmobile for roughly a decade starting around 1978, extending books across the vast Copper River basin
- Closes automatically when temperatures drop to −30°F — a practical safety policy unique to Alaska's most remote rural libraries
- Loans unusual tools including a chimney brush, Kill-a-Watt energy meter, and DVD disc cleaner — a genuine Library of Things in miniature
- Operates on no local property-tax base, funded entirely by Alaska state grants, community revenue sharing, and patron donations
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Kenny Lake cardholders borrow and research digitally through Alaska's shared resources:
📚 Services
- Book, AV, and magazine lending
- Interlibrary loan (ILL) through the Alaska Library Network
- Free public computers and Wi-Fi
- Printer and photocopier access
- Document lamination
- DVD disc cleaning
- Chimney brush rental
- Kill-a-Watt energy meter rental
- Community meeting space
- Little Free Library (outdoor take-a-book/leave-a-book station)
🎸 Programs
- Tot Time — early literacy stories and activities for young children
- Family Book Club — ongoing community reading group
- Summer Book Camp — week-long program for ages 7–12 with reading, crafts, games, and nature themes
- Christmas Open House — annual community holiday gathering
- Library Board Meetings — open to the public, 3rd Thursday of each month
📍 Nearby Libraries in the Copper River Valley
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Copper Center · Browse all Alaska libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Frances Kibble Kenny Lake Public Library ever close for weather?
Yes — the library closes automatically whenever temperatures reach −30°F or below, and during declared emergencies. This policy reflects the genuine safety challenges of rural Alaska, where heating systems and road conditions can make operating the library unsafe for both staff and patrons.
Can I borrow tools or equipment here, not just books?
Yes. The library loans a chimney brush, a Kill-a-Watt energy-monitoring device, and a DVD disc cleaner — practical tools that reflect the self-reliant spirit of Copper River Valley life. Document lamination is also available on-site.
Is this library funded by a city or borough government?
No. Kenny Lake is an unincorporated community with no local government, so there is no property-tax base to draw on. The library is run entirely on Alaska state grants, community revenue sharing funds, and patron donations — every contribution directly supports services.
What is the Summer Book Camp, and who can attend?
Summer Book Camp is the library's annual week-long children's program for readers ages 7–12. Past camps have drawn more than 20 young participants for a mix of reading, crafts, games, and nature-themed activities. Dates vary by year — check the library's website or Facebook page for the current summer's schedule.
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