Library Director Looks Back at 2015 and Forward to 2016

Kayla Desroches/KMXT

The Kodiak Public Library observed its second anniversary at its new location earlier this month. Library director Katie Baxter says the current building on Egan Way was completed in October of 2013.

“There was a wonderful history of people committed to the library in Kodiak since the inception. There was an original location downtown on Mill Bay Road and, over time, the building just outlived its purpose, and various community members became aware of opportunities through state funding and grant programs to be able to design a new building.”

Baxter says the library offers a host of different opportunities, including a series of author meet and greets and storytelling workshops.

“I am proud of each and every program that the library has offered. We have offered a total of over 250 programs just in the last year alone. This year, we will exceed that amount. And, in addition, the library serves as a community forum for people who want to share their passions, knowledge, habits, activities.”
 
She says the library is also in the middle of creating its technology plan.

“We have been fortunate enough to receive through state grants various iPads, MacBooks, etcetera, and so we slowly roll out the use of that equipment, and so this year is a very important time for us to make that equipment available to patrons, give one-on-one instruction.”

Baxter says the library is planning to complete some work on the property next year.

“We’re delighted as a staff that the library is thriving and is used so much, and yet behind the scenes we know that we are still tweaking some of the building project needs and we’re waiting for the good weather of the spring to wrap up the landscape of the exterior grounds.”

The Kodiak Public Library is located at 612 Egan Way and its regular hours on weekdays are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.