University of Alaska Fairbanks Rasmuson Library

University of Alaska Fairbanks Rasmuson Library https://library.uaf.edu Welcome to The Elmer E. Rasmuson Library of The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF).

Containing more than 1.75 million items, we are the largest library in the state of Alaska. The library is comprised of the main library as well as the BioSciences Library, which is located in the Arctic Health Research building.

Fahrig and Slepnev visited the University in March of 1930, after recovering Eielson and Borland after their fatal crash...
10/01/2026

Fahrig and Slepnev visited the University in March of 1930, after recovering Eielson and Borland after their fatal crash in Siberia. They congratulated President Bunnell on the progress of the University, and participated in a school assembly alongside a number of other well known aviators. The Carl Ben Eielson Memorial Building would open in 1934 with a temporary roof with plans to host a school for aeronautical engineering, and has undergone a number of changes and renovations since. On the topic of aviation, check out the Open House tonight on the second floor of the Rasmuson Library! We'll be open to the public and showing off our collections!

Mechanic Fahrig and Commander Slepnev of Russian rescue plane from Siberia (Junker), 1930, UAF-1991-98-379, Kay J. Kennedy Aviation Photograph Collection, APRCA, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

UA students, apply for the Paul H. McCarthy Award! This $2,500 award will support your research using the Alaska and Pol...
09/28/2026

UA students, apply for the Paul H. McCarthy Award!

This $2,500 award will support your research using the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives.

For details, head to https://library.uaf.edu/aprca/mccarthy



Here's a fun one from The Pub! Did you know the Archives doesn't only collect old things? This slide was taken by a stud...
09/24/2026

Here's a fun one from The Pub! Did you know the Archives doesn't only collect old things? This slide was taken by a student photographer for University Relations between 1995 and 2000. Anybody recognize him?

Unnumbered, late 90s, University Relations Collection, Archives, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Just last week in 1922 was the 104th anniversary of our dedication! On September 13th, 1922, a crowd gathered to a band ...
09/17/2026

Just last week in 1922 was the 104th anniversary of our dedication! On September 13th, 1922, a crowd gathered to a band and general merriment, with speakers including Mortin E. Steven, president of the Board of Regents, and the Honorable Scott C. Bone, then-Governor of Alaska to celebrate the dedication of the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines. The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported the day of "there wasn't a hitch or the lack of a thrill in every moment of the celebration."

Dedication Ceremony, 13 September 1922, UAF-1958-1026-1073, Charles E. Bunnell Collection, Archives, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Another semester underway brings back our old tradition -- the annual Bonfire at Starvation Gulch! Symbolizing the passa...
09/10/2026

Another semester underway brings back our old tradition -- the annual Bonfire at Starvation Gulch! Symbolizing the passage of the "torch" of knowledge, the University of Alaska Fairbanks students have been putting this on since all the way back in 1923. The bonfire pictured here is from September of 1928, a whole 98 years ago.

Building the Annual Bonfire, September 1928, UAF-1958-1026-1095, Charles E. Bunnell Collection, Archives, University of Alaska Fairbanks

The University of Alaska played a significant role in the statehood movement of the 1950s. Delegates drafted the Alaska ...
09/03/2026

The University of Alaska played a significant role in the statehood movement of the 1950s. Delegates drafted the Alaska Constitution beginning September 8th, 1955, and stretching through the February of 1956 in what is now Constitution Hall and was then the Student Union. The objective was pushing Alaska a little closer to statehood, which it would gain on January 3rd, 1959.⁠ In this photo, President of the Convention and later Governor William Egan is seated at the raised table. ⁠
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Constitutional Convention, 1955-56, UAF-1985-120-259, William A. Egan papers, Archives, University of Alaska Fairbanks

The newly completed landscaping between the Wood Center and Wickersham, somewhere after 1972! We always love a panorama ...
08/27/2026

The newly completed landscaping between the Wood Center and Wickersham, somewhere after 1972! We always love a panorama down here in the Archives. As Wickersham Hall was constructed in 1957, and dedicated to Judge James A. Wickersham in 1958 -- the Wood Center and this landscaping was a much later addition. You can see some equipment still parked on fresh soil in front of the closest stairwell at Wickersham. These days, the flowers and trees are all filled in!

Panorama, post 1972, UAF-1996-0144-1806A & B, University Relations Photograph Collection, Archives, University of Alaska Fairbanks

This last week in 1967, the University of Alaska became a flood evacuation center for the city of Fairbanks. More than 7...
08/20/2026

This last week in 1967, the University of Alaska became a flood evacuation center for the city of Fairbanks. More than 7,000 people (and nearly 100 dogs!) were evacuated here, and many buildings on campus became temporary housing. More than 68,000 meals were served on campus in that week. The high water lines are still marked today with signs around campus. This photo would have been taken roughly behind the Bunnell Building on Tanana Loop.

Overlook, 1967, UAF-1996-014-01113, University Relations Photograph Collection, Archives, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Welcome to Fall Semester 2026! UAF Rasmuson Library has upcoming orientations for new & returning undergraduate students...
08/17/2026

Welcome to Fall Semester 2026!

UAF Rasmuson Library has upcoming orientations for new & returning undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty.

Check out the schedule at https://bit.ly/UAForientation2026


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1732 Tanana Loop
Fairbanks, AK
99775

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+19074747481

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