Mayor Mark Begich, Anchorage Assemblywoman Debbie Ossiander and Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce President Mike Melielo were among those on hand Monday at the Valley River Center for the announcement that the Rasmuson Foundation will donate more than $4.4 million to the Anchorage Public Library, with $1,000,000 in challenge funds for the new Chugiak-Eagle River branch library, which is expected to open in the late summer or fall of this year. In 2006, Mayor Begich launched the Anchorage Library Renewal Initiative, which is aimed at revitalizing and improving services at the libraries. The local branch, the busiest in the library sytem, will double in size to about 20,000 square feet and will be located at the south end of Valley River Center. A $300,000 match is required by the foundation for the local donation.

This article published in The Alaska Star on Thursday, January 17, 2008.