It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Tuesday February 3, 2026.
It happened on February 15, 2023, almost three years ago.
The Friends of the Palmer Public Library had met a week before. It was a cheerful meeting. After years of COVID restrictions, they could plan public events again: a basket auction, a Saturday Firefighters story time. Rachel House was the president of the nonprofit. She says everyone was excited about opening up to the community again.
House said it felt like,“We’re back!”
But then it happened. The library roof collapsed. An innocent blanket of snow grew into an angry sasquatch stomping its big foot on the roof. The damage was extensive.
In the days that followed the library staff boxed up books and materials. They wore snowsuits in the unheated building. They used headlamps because there was no power. It was hard work, but they were determined.
The library is part of the City of Palmer Community Development Department. Library Director Joy Bailey is responsible for the day-to-day activities.
In the days and years that followed, Bailey says that kids would show up from nowhere and hand her change to help the library. “A lot of people—the friends, the volunteers that ran the friends—we had more community members asking how can we help?” House says.
The Friends of the Palmer Library is a nonprofit organization with its own mandate and own budget. It’s all-volunteer, driven by people like House. She joined the Friends because the library was a special place for her three daughters.
The Friends support the library by organizing community events and fundraisers. The Matanuska Orchestra concert on Sunday February 15 at the Palmer Depot is one such event. They also organize a summer reading program for kids.
The damaged library building was torn down last summer. Construction of the new building begins this spring.
The City of Palmer put a $10 million bond on the ballot in Fall 2023 to help rebuild the library. It passed easily. The Friends have also been fundraising to support the new library. They hope to supplement the bond—and even reduce the burden on Palmer taxpayers. If the city has to spend the whole $10 million from the bond, the interest payments will be a “strain” on the city, Bailey says.
The Friends have raised $200,000 so far. But they hope to raise much more in a capital campaign. They’ll reveal the details of the campaign next Wednesday, February 11, at the Palmer Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
If you would like to contribute to the Friends of the Palmer Public Library or volunteer, you can find them on Facebook or at friendspplak.org.
The first Friday art opening at the Art Cafe features block prints by Joe Halladay. Stop by between 5 and 7 p.m. to meet the artist and see his work.
Then stop by the Palmer Museum of History and Art between 6 and 8 p.m. for the Beyond the Classroom Exhibit. This juried art exhibition showcases outstanding artwork by local high school students in grades nine through 12.
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This Page Two article was written by David Cheezem and read by Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.
That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Tuesday February 3, 2026.