Bay Area Carnegie Libraries to Receive $10,000 Each | KQED

"In 1886, the industrialist Andrew Carnegie began funding the construction of free public libraries across the United States, eventually lending his name to 1,681 "Carnegie libraries." Chances are you've stepped into a Carnegie library at some point - in San Francisco, the Mission, Golden Gate Valley and Chinatown branch libraries, among others, were all built with the help of the philanthropist's grants."

"Now, thanks to the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Carnegie libraries across the country will each receive a $10,000 donation as part of a $20 million initiative to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The funds, to be delivered in January 2026, are unrestricted, and can be used by the libraries in any way they see fit."

"At the national level, President Trump signed an executive order earlier this year seeking to dismantle the entire Institute of Museum and Library Services. A total of $30 million in IMLS grants meant for museums and libraries were terminated or frozen this year. (The IMLS recently announced it will support " Freedom Trucks," mobile exhibits of American history, to celebrate the country's semiquincentennial.)"

"For the Carnegie Foundation, the library donations are part of an effort to reduce political polarization and, in the process, help strengthen these civic institutions facing persistent funding challenges. Roughly 1,280 Carnegie libraries in the U.S. are still in operation and acknowledge their link to Carnegie, making them eligible to receive the funds. The initiative aims to support "America's civic institutions and organizations that foster civic participation and bring people together," according to a press release from the Carnegie Corporation."

In 1886 Andrew Carnegie began funding free public libraries across the United States, resulting in 1,681 Carnegie libraries. Many branches in San Francisco and other cities were built with those grants. The Carnegie Corporation of New York will donate $10,000 to each eligible Carnegie library as part of a $20 million initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, with funds delivered in January 2026 and unrestricted in use. The effort aims to reduce political polarization and strengthen civic institutions facing funding challenges. About 1,280 Carnegie libraries still operate and acknowledge their Carnegie link. At the national level, the Institute of Museum and Library Services faced proposed dismantling and $30 million in grants were terminated or frozen, while IMLS later announced support for mobile "Freedom Trucks" exhibits.

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