The Carnegie Corporation of New York is giving $10,000 gifts to operating Carnegie Libraries across the United States. The special funding honors the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. [1]
The grant money is part of a $20 million special initiative to support civic groups in America. Library recipients will receive their checks beginning in January 2026.
The grant money is part of a $20 million special initiative to support civic groups in America.
“Our founder, Andrew Carnegie, who championed the free public library movement of the late 19th century, described libraries as ‘cradles of democracy’ that ‘strengthen the democratic idea, the equality of the citizen, and the royalty of man,’” said Dame Louise Richardson, president of Carnegie and former head of the University of Oxford. “We still believe this and are delighted to celebrate our connection to the libraries he founded.”
Between 1886 and 1917, Scottish immigrant Andrew Carnegie paid to build 1,681 free public libraries. Today, about 1,280 of those locations are still open and eligible for the new gifts. Around 750 of these libraries still use their original buildings.
Local libraries can use the $10,000 however they choose to celebrate the anniversary, support their mission, and help their communities. Patrons and staff can also share stories and photos on a new interactive website, carnegielibraries.org.
Notes:
- ^Carnegie Corporation of New York. (2024). Hundreds of Carnegie Libraries to Receive $10,000 Gifts in Celebration of United States’ 250th Anniversary – Carnegie Corporation of New York. Carnegie Corporation of New York. Retrieved from https://carnegie.org/article/hundreds-of-carnegie-libraries-to-receive-10000-gifts-in-celebration-of-united-states-250th-anniversary/ (go back ↩)
