Community invited for library's 100th birthday

Wrangell’s public library is turning 100 years old. It was established in November 1921.

The library is celebrating with an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28. Coffee, punch and birthday cake will be served.

Irene Ingle Public Library director Margaret Villarma, who was hired by Kay Jabusch in 1989 and took over from her as director in 2015, said the story of the library’s progression over the past 100 years will be on display at the open house.

The library is an important resource for everyone in the community, Villarma said, “from toddlers to our elderly.”

In 1974, Wrangell sold $157,000 in bonds to construct a building specifically designed as a library. The total cost of the project was $176,000.

The city council (as it was known before Wrangell became a borough) named the library in honor of Irene Ingle when she retired in 1980 after 33 years of service. The library building was expanded and renovated in 1993.