This September, The Friends of the Seward Library mailed out 257 pounds of used children’s books to five remote villages.
Two years ago, after the used book sale, the Friends put out the call for a need for children’s books. We received a message from Marci Treadwell, a Seward small business owner (Starbird Studio) by summer and a teacher during the school year in Fort Yukon.

Marci expressed a need for children’s books. Many of her first grade students could use a book to have for their own, to take home and practice reading and share with siblings. No community library and no school library was available to her students. A sponsor came forward to pay for that first mailing of used children’s books and it started our ‘Books to the Bush’ program.

All our used children’s books that are retired from the library shelves or donated by community are available for free during the year The remaining books after the sale go into storage. Rather than have used books sitting, the Friends of the Library looked for a way to put the used books into children’s hands. Marci’s need provided that.

This September, Marci carried our message to other teachers from remote locations that also have a need for books to give to their students and have in their class rooms.Five boxes weighing 50+ pounds each were mailed, book rate, to Fort Yukon, Venetie, Circle, Beaver and Chalkyitsik.


If you know of a family, school, teacher, pre-school or community center near or far, that has a need for children’s books, let us know.

Email: friendofthesewardlibrary@gmail.com  or call 907-362-1225

Photo by Marci Treadwell of her Fort Yukon class opening their box of books
Photo by SCLA of the note from students.

Moving?  Cleaning out your stacks of books?  Remember that used books are accepted all year long at the Seward Community Library Museum.  Just bring them in to the library and place in our drop box located at the top of the stairs.  If you have boxes to give, please email us to arrange a time when a volunteer can meet you and help you with your donation.

Before you box/bag up your donations, please read our Donation Book Guide, see our button at the top left.  This guide will give you the information needed when selecting your items for donation. Remember that your donations need to be in good physical shape, no water, mold or mildew of any kind, just follow our guide.

Thank you.

Seward, AK (August 20, 2015) – The Seward Community Library Association (SCLA), a.k.a. Friends of the Seward Community Library, is happy to share that donations of used books are on their way to students in Fort Yukon this school year. Fort Yukon is a remote community on the Yukon River, above the Arctic Circle.

After SCLA’s used book sale in April, they put out a call asking if anyone knew of a village or outlying community that might make good use of used books. Retired Seward High teacher Mary Daniel responded and said that her daughter, Marci Treadwell, teaches in Fort Yukon during the winters. Fort Yukon has no public or school library, and Marcy said that the books would be well-received by the teachers and students there.

Last week, Marci and the Friends’ team packed two very large boxes with 251 used children’s book. The shipping of the boxes will be paid for by a private donor. In total, the two boxes weigh 106 pounds.

According to the state’s school database, there were 106 students in Fort Yukon’s school last year. So Marcy will be delivering approximately one pound of books per student this fall! SCLA President, Mary Tougas, says that “putting books into children’s hands is exactly what the Friends’ mission is all about.”

The mission of the Seward Community Library Association, a.k.a. The Friends of the Seward Library, is to support and enhance literacy in our community, provide educational opportunities through scholarships and other programs, support library functions, and encourage community-wide involvement in cultural activities for all ages. Their mission benefits from the support of community donors and volunteers. For additional information, please visit www.friendsofscla.org.