Gustavus Public Library
🏢 City of Gustavus · Gustavus, Alaska
Gustavus Public Library
The Gustavus Public Library is a volunteer-powered community anchor at the doorstep of Glacier Bay National Park — providing 11,500+ volumes, free internet access, a dedicated children's room, and a large meeting space to one of Alaska's most remote glacier-forged communities, accessible only by air or ferry.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 9am–4pm |
| Wednesday | 12pm–7pm |
| Thursday | 12pm–4pm |
| Friday | 12pm–4pm |
| Saturday | 12pm–4pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 14 Gustavus Road, Gustavus, AK 99826
Phone: (907) 697-2350
Website: gustavus-ak.gov
Plus Code: 94C6C79Q+C6 (Gustavus, AK)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Gustavus Public Library
The Gustavus Public Library serves one of Alaska's most extraordinary communities: a town of roughly 450–655 residents accessible only by air or the Alaska Marine Highway ferry, situated on the outwash plain of retreating glaciers at the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Operated as a municipal department of the City of Gustavus but staffed almost entirely by community volunteers, the library holds more than 11,500 volumes and circulates over 6,200 items annually to a service population of under 500 — a remarkable per-capita lending rate. The library provides free wireless internet and public computers, a dedicated children's reading room, a large community meeting room, and interlibrary loan services connecting patrons to the wider Alaska library network. Hours have shifted over time (check gustavus-ak.gov/library for the current schedule), and the community's commitment to the library is evident: as one long-time patron has put it, the Gustavus library is "the heart and soul" of this isolated but tight-knit town.
⭐ What makes this library special
- More than 11,500 volumes with 6,200+ annual circulations — one of Alaska's highest per-capita circulation rates for communities of its size
- Staffed almost entirely by community volunteers, with the City of Gustavus providing municipal oversight
- Large community meeting room available for public gatherings and events
- Free wireless internet and public computer access — essential infrastructure in a community with no road connection to the outside world
- Dedicated children's reading room with books and programming for young readers
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Gustavus cardholders access Alaska's statewide digital resources at no cost:
📚 Services
- Book, magazine, and audiovisual lending (11,500+ volumes)
- Dedicated children's reading room
- Large community meeting room
- Free wireless internet and public computer access
- Interlibrary Loan (ILL) for verified cardholders in good standing
- Fax: (907) 697-2249
- Library cards for Gustavus residents (free) and temporary/seasonal residents ($20 one-time fee with government ID)
- Curbside pickup and appointments available on request
🎸 Programs
- Silent Reading Club — 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, 4:30–6:30pm (snacks at 4:30, silent reading 5:00–6:00, open chat from 6:00pm)
- Library Band — music instruction and arts and crafts programming for the community
- Volunteer program — community members can apply to staff and support daily library operations
📍 Nearby Libraries in Southeast Alaska
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a library card at the Gustavus Public Library?
Gustavus residents can obtain a free library card with a valid ID. Temporary or seasonal residents — including researchers, park workers, and longer-stay visitors — may get a card with a one-time $20 fee and a current government-issued ID. Note that guest and Alaska Resident cards do not include Interlibrary Loan privileges; a full resident card is required for ILL requests.
Can I request books or materials the library doesn't have on its shelves?
Yes. Verified cardholders in good standing can request items through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). A suggested $3 donation covers postage. Cards blocked due to fines are not eligible for ILL requests. See the full policy at gustavus-ak.gov/library/page/inter-library-loan-ill.
Is the library open every day of the week?
The library is open Tuesday through Saturday and closed Sunday and Monday. Tuesday offers the earliest start time (9:00am–4:00pm); Wednesday has the latest closing (12:00pm–7:00pm); Thursday through Saturday run 12:00pm–4:00pm. Hours have changed before — call (907) 697-2350 or check gustavus-ak.gov/library to confirm before visiting.
How do I actually get to Gustavus and the library?
The library is at 14 Gustavus Road in the center of this small community. To reach Gustavus itself, visitors fly from Juneau (Alaska Airlines and Wings of Alaska offer scheduled service year-round) or take the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry when seasonal service is available from Juneau or Skagway. There are no highway connections to the Alaska road system.
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