Support the Library Renovation
The FNSB Libraries serve nearly 100,000 residents of Alaska’s Interior. The Noel Wien Library is the main branch and is visited by over 1,000 visitors each day.
The Noel Wien Library was built in 1977 but has only had limited renovations. Technology has obviously advanced and the library is in need of expansion and modernization.
The library is a vibrant hub of activity and important gathering spot for all members of our community.
Renovation Highlights & Benefits
- Fully renovated public spaces to improve library services and efficiency for all ages.
- Teen Room with current technology, age-appropriate materials, study areas, computer lab, and adaptable space.
- Addition of 4,000+ square feet providing convertible programming spaces for children, tweens, and teens, as well as family reading areas and access to our beautiful gardens.
- Business center for small business creation and growth.
- Countryman Cafe, a coffee shop and used book store.
- Additional community gathering and meeting spaces for various-sized groups.
- Enhanced and larger reading areas with easy WiFi and charging access.
- Renovated public restrooms
- Fully outfitted Active Learning Lab for community and staff programming.
Support the Renovation
We are currently seeking foundational gifts for the project. We will be reaching out to the community for wider support as the project start date more closely approaches. If you have questions about how to support the project right now, please contact Michelle Daml (board President and Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee) or Jamia Alexander-Ball (Library Director).
You can email us directly at president@thelibraryfoundation.org
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Want to know more about the Renovation?
Please contact Michelle Daml, Board President and Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee: president@thelibraryfoundation.org, 907.459.1029.
*Fairbanks Library Foundation Tax ID: 92-0072826*
Thank You Donors
Anonymous
Anonymous
Cheryl Petersen
In the words of Dean Faber, “Knowledge is Good”
Judy Ann Norrgard Cole
The Alaska Community Foundation
Karen and Kent Pine
Mt. McKinley Bank
Linda Schandelmeier
This is with John Davies
Jan Julian
Michael Pollen
Emily Thielke
My grandmother was an avid reader. She didn't get to finish school, so she advocated for education and reading as an important part of education.
Elizabeth Schaffhauser and Gerald Walker
Tricia Wurtz
Donation is also from my husband, Knut Kielland
Arva Chiu
Brandon McGrath-Bernhard
Joy Gesin
In honor of Fairbanks educators and life-long learners
Lynda Sather
David and Sandra Lanning
John Peirce
Nancy Smoyer
Anonymous
Stutzman Engineering
Usibelli Mining
To sponsor Active Learning Lab
Fairbanks Kiwanis
Purchase of End Tiles for Berry Room
Sarah Masterman
Susan Carney
Aldean Kilbourn
Linda Unsicker
TOTE Maritime
In Kind Shipping Donation
George McLaughlin
Michael Hostina & Barbara Santora
Niesje Steinkruger
Nancy and Jim Dewitt
Pam Seiser
Just a dollar for every time I have visited the old Noel Wien Library.
Mary Farrell
Can't wait til the library is back!! 🙂
Amanda Bent
Judy Rae Smith
We started our history with the library in 1971 at the log building on first avenue. Now I use Libby on my I pad. I love the library.
Judith Ripley
Karen and Darrell Haggstrom
Keith and Carolyn Hanneman
Malie Carolyn Gray
Jim and Barb Hameister
Nancy Hausle-Johnson
Rex and Moira Nutter
Sue McHenry
Cynthia Wentworth
Ann Wood O'Brien
Fawn Jelinek
Elyse Guttenberg
Leah Willaims
Support the Library – Support Fairbanks’ Future
With more space, modernized resources, a business center and a new public computer use are, the renovation will improve access to information and technology for all ages.
Please help the Noel Wien library continue to be a safe space for our diverse community to come together and solve problems for meaningful change and dialogue.
How much do we need?
The Noel Wien Library Foundation’s goal is to inspire lifelong curiosity and growth. Our financial goal is to raise $1.5 million by summer of 2024. These funds will provide for the interior needs of the library such as tables, chairs and technology.
The project has secured approximately 75% of funding required to date. Help this new space for our community become a reality!
Meet the Capital Improvement Project Board
Michelle Daml
Chair
Curriculum Coordinator for Fairbanks North Star Borough School District since August 2011. From 1998 to 2011 Michelle was a K-5 Elementary School Teacher at the FNSBSD. Experience includes working with teams, facilitating both large and small groups, and teaching classes and workshops for adults and children. She has served on many non-profit boards in the state and community. Organized, reliable, and communicates well with colleagues. Michelle has been on the Fairbanks Library Foundation Board since 2012 and the President since 2018.
Kathy Alton
Co-Chair
High School Language Arts teacher (1974-2004)
Curriculum developer for several Alaskan school districts (2004-2011)
Board member and President of Fairbanks Library Foundation (2012-2018)
Active member of Delta Kappa Gama-Beta Chapter (1995-present)
Current member of Golden Heart Readers
Book club member ( 1998-present)
Rhonda Bressler
Treasurer
Once upon a time I found a different world on the other side of a wardrobe, became the 14th member of the fellowship, journey to find treasure with a band of pirates and found what really is cheaper by the dozen. My name is Rhonda Bressler and I grew up in North Pole Alaska I finding many wonderful adventures waiting for me in the books at the Library. I attended summer reading programs, researched science fair projects for Badger Road Elementary School and studied for UAF final exams in both the North Pole and Noel Wien Libraries. Now as a Mom and business owner I’m back in the library for more movies nights, community evens and a quiet comfortable place to work. I’m so excited to lend my skills to the Library Foundation as the Bookkeeper and find yet another adventure in the library.
Peggy Carlson
Member
Retired from the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District with 35 years as both a teacher and administrator. Recent positions include FNSBSD Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction and State System of Support Coach with the Department of Education as a district improvement coach, working in rural Alaska. She serves on the non-profit boards of Kids Voting North Alaska and Stars of Gold Readers. Peggy has strong facilitation and organizing skills and is dedicated to supporting youth and literacy.
Lesa Meath
Member
An educator of 30 years, Lesa’s experience includes a variety of teaching and leadership roles. She has served as a teacher, coach and mentor in districts across Alaska. Lesa is Nationally Board Certified, active in a number of professional and service organizations, and is self-employed as a consultant and presenter. Lesa’s own early reading passion was fueled by hours spent at the George C. Thomas library in downtown Fairbanks, and the bookmobile she looked forward to each summer growing up in the Goldstream valley.
Brandi Wehner
Administrative Services Manager
Brandi hails from Southeast Alaska and moved to Fairbanks in the Fall of 2017. She is new to FNSB Libraries, and we are very lucky to have her! She brings a wealth of government experience in facilities, grants management, budgeting, and human resources, with over 26 years of experience in these fields. She has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Alaska, with a concentration in Accounting and Entrepreneurship. We look forward to working with her as our capital campaign manager for when Noel Wien Library reaches new heights..
Kate Ripley
Member
Kate Ripley has more than 30 years of professional experience in strategic communications, public relations, media, and marketing in Alaska. After a 10-year career in journalism in Juneau and Fairbanks, Kate joined the University of Alaska, where she served 15 years in leadership positions in public relations, alumni relations, and development. She now works as a communications and public relations consultant.
Kate was born and raised in Juneau. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism at the University of Montana and a master’s degree in Northern Studies at UAF.
Melissa Harter
Library Director
Melissa has worked in libraries for over 30 years, and currently serves as the Director of the Fairbanks North Star Borough Public Libraries. As a trailing military spouse she gained experience in a wide variety of libraries, including law, academic, public and virtual. This gives her a broad vision of what a public library is, and can be for a community, and provides the foundation for her work on collaborative projects and partnerships. Her professional work includes membership in the American Library Association, Public Library Association, Alaska Library Association, DirLead and serves as an officer on the Alaska Library Network.
Renee Van Nort
Administrative Manager
Renee has worked for the Fairbanks North Star Borough over 24 years in various positions for Finance and more recently 12 years for the public libraries. Renee was integrally involved in the process to fund and build the new North Pole Branch Library which opened in 2014. Her experience includes grants management, budgeting, governmental accounting, and building management.
Sarah McGowan
Member
Sarah is a financial advisor specializing in group retirement plans at the local school district and UAF. Her background lends expertise in investment strategies that ensure that the Foundation can leverage their investments to provide support to the borough libraries in perpetuity. Before shifting into financial advising, Sarah worked as a cultural anthropologist and archaeologist. So Sarah appreciates Fairbanks’ multi-cultural environment and encourages library programming that makes library services accessible to people from all walks of life and honors all community members’ heritage and history.
