Literacy Council of Alaska

Literacy Council of Alaska is a tutoring service in Fairbanks, AK, operating as a 501c3 non-profit that serves the Interior and North Slope of Alaska. Founded in 1973, the organization empowers residents to unlock their potential through personalized tutoring and collaborative programs focused on education, community awareness, and essential life skills. The council provides one-on-one GED tutoring to help students earn high school equivalency diplomas, alongside adult reading classes, college and career guidance, and digital literacy training. For English Language Learners, it offers in-person and virtual classes as well as individual tutoring designed to help adult learners improve their language skills and adjust to life in Alaska. The Pathways program assists out-of-school youth aged 16 to 24 by creating personalized plans to meet their education and career goals. Additionally, the organization runs Forget-Me-Not Books, a community-driven bookstore open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM, which offers affordable used books and donates thousands of volumes back to the community each year.

The staff includes Lucie Magrath as Executive Director, Shelby Cook as Assistant Executive Director and Pathways Director, and Sarah Perez as Adult Education Director. Other key personnel include instructors and specialists for GED preparation, rural student instruction, and case management for the Pathways program. In the most recent fiscal year, the council reported 1,362 volunteer hours and 1,470 study hours for English Language Learners, along with 3,879 GED study hours. The team also supported 37 WIOA participants and helped 21 students graduate with high school equivalency diplomas. The bookstore contributed 2,040 volunteer hours, reflecting the organization's reliance on community support to deliver its services.

Located at 724 27th Ave #2, the business sits on 27th Avenue, about a quarter of a mile from 30th Avenue and 28th Avenue. It is roughly half a mile from South Cushman Street and the Robert Mitchell Expressway, with Richardson Highway located about 0.6 miles away.

The organization holds a rating of 4.70 from customers who have reviewed it. This positive feedback reflects the impact of its long-standing presence in the region and its specific focus on helping individuals in Fairbanks and the Interior achieve their educational and career goals through literacy.

Literacy Council of Alaska remains a dedicated resource in Fairbanks, combining direct tutoring with community book donations to support lifelong learning and economic opportunity for residents of the Interior.