Samuel B. Foss Library

🏢 Pedro Bay Village Council · Pedro Bay, Alaska

Samuel B. Foss Library

The Samuel B. Foss Library serves Pedro Bay — a Dena'ina Athabascan village of roughly 40 residents at the northeast end of Iliamna Lake on Alaska's remote Southwest Peninsula — providing books, internet access, and free statewide digital resources to a community reachable only by small plane or boat.

📞 907-850-2225🌐 lam.alaska.gov🧭 Get directions
🕑 Hours & visit📖 About⭐ Highlights📚 Services📍 Nearby❓ FAQ

🕑 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: 1 WATERFRONT WAY, PEDRO BAY, AK 99647

Phone: 907-850-2225

Website: lam.alaska.gov

Plus Code: 93F7QVPQ+27 (PEDRO BAY, AK)

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👋 Use the Library Online

&📚Alaska Digital Library (eBooks/Audiobooks) →&📖SLED — Alaska Statewide Resources →

📖 About Samuel B. Foss Library

Pedro Bay is a census-designated place in the Lake and Peninsula Borough, sitting at the head of Pedro Bay on Iliamna Lake approximately 176 air miles southwest of Anchorage. The community is home to Dena'ina Athabascan people and has maintained a traditional subsistence lifestyle centered on fishing, hunting, and gathering on Iliamna Lake — one of the largest lakes in the United States. The Samuel B. Foss Library, operated under the Pedro Bay Village Council, is a member of the Alaska Digital Library (OverDrive), giving cardholders free access to the statewide eBook and audiobook network. The library logs roughly 520 annual service hours and approximately 520 patron visits per year — impressive engagement for a community its size. Because Pedro Bay has no road connection to the outside world, the library plays an especially important role as an information and literacy resource. Scheduling depends on local staff availability; calling the village council at 907-850-2225 or emailing library@pedrobay.com before visiting is strongly recommended.

⭐ What makes this library special

  • Serves a Dena'ina Athabascan village of approximately 40 residents — accessible only by air or boat
  • Located on the northeast shore of Iliamna Lake, one of the largest lakes in the United States
  • Member of the Alaska Digital Library (OverDrive) — free statewide eBooks and audiobooks with library card
  • Operated under the Pedro Bay Village Council; part of the Alaska Library Network
  • Approximately 520 annual patron visits — strong community engagement for its size

📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card

Library cardholders get free access to Alaska's statewide digital resources:

&📚 SLED — Statewide Library Electronic DoorwayFree research databases, newspapers, and reference tools for all Alaskans. Access at <a href="https://lam.alaska.gov/sled" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lam.alaska.gov/sled</a>.
&🎧 Alaska Digital Library (Libby / OverDrive)Borrow eBooks, audiobooks, and eMagazines free with your Pedro Bay library card at <a href="https://adl.overdrive.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">adl.overdrive.com</a>.

📚 Services

  • Book lending
  • Internet access
  • Interlibrary loan
  • Reference assistance
  • Alaska Digital Library eBooks and audiobooks (free with library card)

🎸 Programs

  • Community reading and literacy support
  • Library card registration (unlocks Alaska Digital Library)
  • Contact the village council at 907-850-2225 for current programming

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Pedro Bay to visit the library?

Pedro Bay has no road connection. The only ways to reach the village are by small plane (charter or scheduled air taxi service, typically via King Salmon or Anchorage) or by boat across Iliamna Lake. Calling the village at 907-850-2225 before travel to confirm library availability is essential.

What is the Samuel B. Foss Library named after?

The library is named Samuel B. Foss Library, honoring a local community figure. The library is administered by the Pedro Bay Village Council and is part of the Alaska Library Network and Alaska Digital Library (OverDrive), connecting this remote village to statewide borrowing and digital resources.

Can I access eBooks and audiobooks from Pedro Bay remotely?

Yes. Pedro Bay Community Library is a member of the Alaska Digital Library (OverDrive/Libby). Once you have a library card, you can borrow eBooks and audiobooks from any device with an internet connection at adl.overdrive.com — no visit required.

What is life like in Pedro Bay, and how does the library fit into the community?

Pedro Bay is a small Dena'ina Athabascan village maintaining a traditional subsistence lifestyle on Iliamna Lake, one of the largest lakes in the United States. With roughly 40 year-round residents and no road access, the library is one of the village's key institutions for education, literacy, and connection to broader information resources.

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