Ouzinkie Tribal Media Center
🏢 Native Village of Ouzinkie · Ouzinkie, Alaska
Ouzinkie Tribal Media Center
The Ouzinkie Tribal Media Center is the community library of Ouzinkie, an Alutiiq village on Spruce Island in Kodiak Island Borough, accessible only by small plane or boat from Kodiak. Run by the Native Village of Ouzinkie, it serves around 109 residents with books, magazines, digital entertainment, and access to Alaska's statewide electronic library for all ages.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | Please call ahead |
| Tuesday | Please call ahead |
| Wednesday | Please call ahead |
| Thursday | Please call ahead |
| Friday | Please call ahead |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 216 Third Street, OUZINKIE, AK 99644
Phone: +1 907-680-2323
Website: ouzinkie.org
Plus Code: 9399WGF3+4X (OUZINKIE, 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 Ouzinkie Tribal Media Center
Ouzinkie sits on the northeastern shore of Spruce Island, about 10 miles north of the city of Kodiak, in an Alutiiq community whose name derives from the Native word Uusenkaaq. The village first appeared on the U.S. Census in 1880 and retains a strong Alaska Native identity — more than 70 percent of residents identified as American Indian and Alaska Native in 2020. The Ouzinkie Tribal Media Center is operated by the Native Village of Ouzinkie with support from IMLS Native American Library Services grants, offering the community books, magazines, and digital resources for patrons of all ages. Spruce Island is also historically significant as the home of Saint Herman of Alaska, an Orthodox monk who lived there from 1808 until his death in 1836 and was canonized as the first saint of North America by the Russian Orthodox Church — a legacy that draws pilgrims and visitors to the island each year.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Community library run by the Native Village of Ouzinkie on Spruce Island, Kodiak Island Borough
- Collection of over 2,400 volumes serving Ouzinkie's Alutiiq residents and visitors
- Supported by IMLS Native American Library Services grants for books, magazines, and digital resources
- Access to Alaska SLED statewide databases and the Alaska Digital Library eBook collection
- Located on Spruce Island, home of Saint Herman of Alaska — the first Orthodox saint canonized in North America
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Ouzinkie library patrons have access to Alaska's statewide digital resources:
📚 Services
- Circulating book and magazine collection (over 2,400 volumes)
- Digital resources through Alaska SLED and Alaska Digital Library
- Community reading materials for all ages
- Internet access (call ahead for current availability)
🎸 Programs
- Reading programs for youth and families
- Community access to digital entertainment and educational resources
📍 Nearby Libraries in Kodiak Island Borough
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Ouzinkie and the Tribal Media Center?
Ouzinkie is accessible only by floatplane or skiff from the city of Kodiak, about 10 miles to the south. There are no roads connecting Spruce Island to the road system. Visitors should call the Native Village of Ouzinkie at 907-680-2323 to confirm library access hours before traveling.
Is the Ouzinkie Tribal Media Center open to non-tribal members?
The library serves the broader Ouzinkie community and operates as a public library with IMLS funding. Contact the Native Village of Ouzinkie at 907-680-2323 for current visiting hours, as schedules in remote Alaska villages may vary seasonally.
What digital resources are available through the Ouzinkie library?
Through Alaska's statewide programs, patrons can access the Alaska Digital Library (eBooks and audiobooks via Libby/OverDrive) and Alaska SLED, which provides free online databases, encyclopedias, and research tools for all Alaskans regardless of which library they use.
Why is Spruce Island significant, and does the library have local history resources?
Spruce Island was home to Saint Herman of Alaska, a Russian Orthodox monk who arrived in 1808 and became the first Orthodox saint canonized in North America. The island draws Orthodox pilgrims each year. The library's local collection reflects the Alutiiq heritage of Ouzinkie and its deep connections to both Native Alaskan and Orthodox Christian traditions.
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