Craig City Council accepts $7,000 state grant for public library

Craig Public Library will take in $7,000 in state grant money. The Craig City Council voted 5-0 by roll call Thursday to accept it. One council member was absent.

The motion accepted and appropriated the money from the state of Alaska as a Public Library Assistance grant for the library at 504 Third Street. The council opened the item for discussion. No member spoke before the roll call.

The council also approved the appointment of a new city planner by voice vote. The presiding officer said it was "good that we've been able to fill the position relatively quickly" and that the appointee "appears to be eminently qualified," adding: "Everybody sat on that committee and got that done in a timely manner."

Council members did not discuss the grant's terms. Under Alaska State Library rules, Public Library Assistance recipients must match the award dollar for dollar. Craig must provide another $7,000 in local funds or qualifying volunteer labor, valued at $22 an hour. Recipients must also spend at least $3,500 a year on library materials. Libraries must stay open at least 48 weeks a year and at least three days a week, and offer at least five hours of evening or weekend service each week.

The state library's published timeline for the current grant cycle shows FY2027 applications were due April 1, 2026, with award letters expected this fall. If this award falls under that FY2027 cycle, the grant period runs through June 30, 2027. Craig would then need to file its annual report with the state library by September 1, 2027, to remain eligible for future Public Library Assistance funding. Missing that filing deadline puts a library's grant eligibility at risk, according to the state library's public library statistics page.