Cordova Public Library
🏢 City of Cordova · Cordova, Alaska
Cordova Public Library
Cordova Public Library has served Alaska’s premier fishing port for over a century — from an informal railway workers’ reading room in 1909 to a stunning modern home on the third floor of the award-winning Cordova Center. Its celebrated “Fisherman’s Corner” and one of the finest Alaskana collections in the state make it the intellectual anchor of Prince William Sound.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Saturday | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 601 FIRST STREET, CORDOVA, AK 99574
Phone: (907) 424-6667
Website: cordovalibrary.org
Plus Code: 93GPG6VR+QJ (CORDOVA, AK)
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📖 About Cordova Public Library
The Cordova Public Library has deep roots in this historic fishing city, where commercial fishermen have landed salmon from Prince William Sound since the early 20th century. The library’s story began in 1909 when Reverend Eustace Ziegler opened a reading room at the Red Dragon saloon for Copper River and Northwestern Railway workers — complete with a fireplace that remains a library hallmark to this day. It became a true public library in June 1925, when the women’s guild of St. George’s Episcopal Church opened the collection to all. In November 2015, the community came together in a memorable book brigade, passing volumes by hand from the old Centennial Building across the street into the newly built Cordova Center at 601 First Street — a modern 33,929-square-foot facility housing the library alongside the Cordova Historical Museum and city offices. The current space features wood-carved salmon wall accents, a copper-accented fireplace, a children’s room decorated with orcas, and five public computers with free Wi-Fi. The library’s “Fisherman’s Corner” is a nationally recognized specialized collection of commercial fishing literature and media, a fitting tribute to the community where roughly half of all households have at least one member in the fishing industry.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Over 115 years of continuous service — started in 1909 as a reading room for Copper River & Northwestern Railway workers, officially public since 1925
- “Fisherman’s Corner” — a unique specialized collection of commercial fishing books and videos, reflecting Cordova’s identity as a premier fishing port on Prince William Sound
- One of the finest Alaskana collections in the state, covering Alaska history, natural history and regional literature
- Located on the third floor of the Cordova Center, a 33,929 sq ft civic building opened in 2015, with wood-carved salmon décor and a signature copper-accented fireplace
- Community “book brigade” in November 2015: residents passed books by hand from the old Centennial Building into the new Cordova Center
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Cordova cardholders — and all Alaska residents — can access these free statewide digital resources:
📚 Services
- Book, DVD, audiobook and magazine lending with free library cards
- Fisherman’s Corner — specialized commercial fishing literature and media collection
- Alaskana collection — one of the state’s finest regional history collections
- 5 public computers and free Wi-Fi (no card required for Wi-Fi)
- Interlibrary loan through the Alaska library network
- McNaughton bestseller rental collection
- Quiet reading zones including adult section and fireplace area
- Children’s room with games, puzzles and puppets for checkout
🎸 Programs
- Storytime for Little Ones — Wednesdays at 12 p.m.
- After-School Art for ages 8+ — Fridays 1-2:30 p.m., taught by professional artists
- Monthly Poetry Sessions for adults — last Fridays at 6 p.m.
- Senior Mug-Up — Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. (brain games & tech help)
- Knit Lit Book Club — monthly knitting and reading gatherings
- Sunday Afternoon Movies — free screenings with popcorn
- Summer reading program for youth
- Halloween book giveaways through the Friends of the Library
📍 Nearby Libraries in Southcentral Alaska
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “Fisherman’s Corner” at Cordova Public Library?
Fisherman’s Corner is a specialized collection of books, magazines and videos focused on commercial fishing — a nod to Cordova’s identity as one of Alaska’s foremost fishing communities. About half of Cordova households have at least one person in the fishing or processing industry, so the collection serves both professional and recreational interest in the fisheries of Prince William Sound and the Copper River Delta.
When did the Cordova Public Library move to the Cordova Center?
The library moved in November 2015, when residents organized a “book brigade” — passing volumes by hand from the old Centennial Building across the street into the new Cordova Center at 601 First Street. The Cordova Center is a 33,929-square-foot civic facility that also houses the Cordova Historical Museum and city offices.
How old is the Cordova Public Library, and who founded it?
The library’s roots go back to 1909, when Reverend Eustace Ziegler opened a reading room at the Red Dragon to give Copper River & Northwestern Railway workers a warm place to read. It became a formal public library in June 1925, when the women’s guild of St. George’s Episcopal Church opened the collection to the public.
Does Cordova Public Library offer digital resources I can use from home?
Yes. With a Cordova library card — or any valid Alaska library card — you can access SLED (lam.alaska.gov/sled), Alaska’s statewide portal for free eBooks, audiobooks and research databases, as well as the Libby app for the Alaska Digital Library. Wi-Fi is also free at the library without a card.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.