Funding: Public Library Systems in 11 Communities Receive Grants Totaling $5 Million from Carnegie Corporation of New York

From the Carnegie Corporation of New York:

Eleven public library systems across nine states will receive grants of up to $500,000 each from Carnegie Corporation of New York, the foundation established by Andrew Carnegie, who funded the construction of more than 2,500 libraries worldwide. The libraries were selected through a competitive request for proposals as part of a two-year initiative launched by Carnegie’s Education program to help deliver critical services that promote socioeconomic mobility.

From expanding English language workforce training in Prince William County, Virginia, to strengthening literacy models in urban New Jersey and supporting mentorship programs for local youth in Kansas City, Missouri, the funding will help public libraries advance opportunity and civic participation. Library services include English language instruction for immigrants, continuing education for adults seeking to build skills and attain high school diplomas, and college counseling for teens.

This national effort, called Libraries as Pillars of Education and Democracy, builds on the foundation’s renewed commitment to libraries as trusted public institutions that help reduce political polarization. The first round of grants was announced in September 2024 with $4 million in grants to New York City’s three public library systems.

“Andrew Carnegie believed libraries were ladders upon which anyone and everyone could rise, and that belief continues to guide us,” said Dame Louise Richardson, president of Carnegie. “At a time when trust in public institutions is fraying, libraries retain public trust. We are delighted to support these grantees as they provide essential programs and community services.”

Following a call for proposals that drew more than 1,400 responses, Carnegie prioritized initiatives with strong community demand and demonstrated success in one or both of two areas:

• Adult English language and literacy programs that build job readiness.
• College access programs that provide teens with academic, civic, and leadership skills, college admissions knowledge, and support from their families in their transition to college.

“Libraries are places where people build knowledge, skills, and agency,” said Ambika Kapur, an Education program director at Carnegie. “This initiative reflects our belief in investing in civic participation — wherever people come together to learn.”

The Selected Grantees

Boston Public Library Fund (Boston, Massachusetts)
Gwinnett County Public Library (Lawrenceville, Georgia)
Harris County Public Library (Houston, Texas)
Kansas City Public Library (Kansas City, Missouri)
Library Foundation of Los Angeles (Los Angeles, California)
Nashville Public Library (Nashville, Tennessee)
Plainfield Public Library (Plainfield, New Jersey)
Prince William Public Libraries (Prince William County, Virginia)
Library Foundation SD (San Diego, California)
San José Public Library Foundation (San José, California)
Seattle Public Library Foundation (Seattle, Washington)

Source

• See Also: Kansas City Public Library Gets $500,000 Grant. How it Plans to Use the Money (via KC Star)
• See Also: Boston Public Library Receives National Grant to Expand Workforce Support for English-Language Learners (via BPL)

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