Alaska public libraries face Sept. 1 deadline to file annual report or risk grant eligibility

Alaska public libraries have until September 1 to file their FY26 annual report or risk losing eligibility for the Public Library Assistance grant, the Alaska State Library said Tuesday.

The report opened July 15 through the AK Counting Opinions portal. Filing it each year is a condition of grant eligibility. This year's report has been updated to remove recorded program counts, add new meeting-room questions, and include new Alaska-level holds questions. The Alaska State Library has designated 2026 a practice year for the meeting-room questions. The holds questions are optional and can be skipped without triggering edit checks or errors. The report is part of the national Public Libraries Survey, which covers more than 9,000 library systems each year.

The Alaska State Library has scheduled a free 45-minute Zoom training for July 29 at 10 a.m. A recording will be available for a limited time to those who register.

Libraries can use the online PLAR Guide and a downloadable 2026 PLAR Worksheet to help complete the report. Libraries struggling to meet grant requirements can request a waiver by emailing [email protected]. Waivers for the interlibrary loan requirement are currently being granted while the Alaska State Library develops an alternative program. Questions about the annual report can be directed to Kate Enge at [email protected].