History & Rare Books

Kegoayah Kozga Name Interpretation

     There is no complete agreement regarding the meaning of the words, Kegoayah Kozga. However, in Ella Higginson's book, Alaska: the Great Country (1926), there is little room for argument. The following is found on Page 525:

"Nome has a woman's club. It is federated and it owns its club-house, a small but pretty building. Its' name is Kegoayah Kozga, or Nothern Lights. It held an open meeting while we were in Nome. Bishop Rowe described a journey by sled dog and canoe, Congressman Sulzer gave an informal talk, and the ladies of the club presented an interesting programme. The afternoon was the most profitable I have spent at a woman's club."

The Alice Green Rare Book Collection

     The Kegoayah Kozga Public Library has a collection of old and rare books that were purchased in 1983 from retired Presbyterian Minister, Alice Green. Green began amassing books and articles on Alaska and neighboring regions around 1963 while serving as Presbyterian Minister for Savoonga on St. Lawrence Island.

     Among the books are many rare volumes including numerous first editions, government reports, early Alaska Native ethnographies on St. Lawrence Island, popularly written books in Alaska life, and biographies of famous and not-so-famous Alaskans. Most of these publications are dated between the 1800s and 1975. The following are examples of just a few titles:

• The King Island Journal: The 1951-52 Journal of Juan and Rie Munoz, Teachers on a Bering Sea Island by Rie Munoz (2007)
• Hunting in Alaska: A Comprehensive Guide by Christopher Batin (2006)
• Alaska Eskimo Footwear by Jill Oakes (1952)
• ALASKA: Saga of a Bold Land by Walter R. Borneman (2003)
• The Race to Nome: The Story of the Heroic Alaska Dog Teams that Rushed Diphtheria Serum to Stricken Nome in 1925 by Kenneth Ungermann (1963)
• The Great Trek: The Story of a Five-Year Drive of Reindeer Herd Through the Icy Wastes of Alaska and Northwestern Canada by Max Miller (1935)
• Roadhouse Tale by M. Clark (1902); a collection of stories gathered from conversations of "mushers," who sat by the fire during the cold, dark evenings of a long winter in Northern Alaska
• The Eskimo and His Reindeer in Alaska by C.L. Andrews (1939); with lots of old photos and illustrations
• Voyage of the Jeannette: the Ship and Ice Journals of George W. De Long (1813); in two volumes
• Nome and the Seward Peninsula: History, Biographies, and Stories by E.S. Harrison (1905)

     Currently, advance appointments must be made to access these library materials.  Please call (907) 443-6628 to make an appointment.  All materials are for use in the library only. Inter-library loans from this collection are not available. They are not checked out and they do not leave the library building. Photocopies can be made; copyright laws must be followed where applicable.