ARLIS Wildlife Realia Collection (Alaska Resources Library)
A working research library that quietly lends out taxidermy: since 1997 the Alaska Resources Library has amassed hundreds of furs, skulls, baleen, polar bear paws, whole mounted ducks and other 'realia' from the Dept. of Fish and Game's furs-mounts-skulls collection. Anyone with an Anchorage, UAA or ARLIS library card can check a specimen out for two weeks, signing a statement of responsibility and keeping mounts in the library's Plexiglas cases. It is reportedly the only library in the U.S. with a trove like this.
The move: Go browse the open shelves of skulls and pelts together, then actually check out a wolf fur or a walrus skull on a library card and take your strange borrowed companion home for a two-week 'guest.'
- 📍 University/UAA area (Midtown Anchorage)
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Indoors
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Verified 2026-06-06.