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Virtually unornamented on the exterior in the modern aesthetic, the library benefits from simple lines and geometric forms. Completed in 1977, the library was designed by the Anchorage firm of CCC/HOK. The one-story building is steel framed with vertical cedar wood siding. Windows are few in proportion to wall space, responding to a climate whose bitter cold in winter and excessive sunshine in summer discourage the extensive use of glass, but despite a low ceiling the interior is light, open, and appealing. The irregular plan accommodates public library space, stacks, auditorium, and administrative offices, centered on a skylit court. There is also indirect lighting from second-story windows above the lobby.