Carnegie Corporation gifts RPL $10,000 in celebration of country's 250th birthday

The gift is part of the Carnegie Libraries 250 initiative, a national effort honoring the legacy of the 1,681 public libraries Carnegie funded between 1886 and 1917 and celebrating their ongoing role as "cradles of democracy." (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - The Rochester Public Library announced on Friday that it is one of about 1,280 Carnegie Libraries across the United States to receive a $10,000 gift from Carnegie Corporation of New York in celebration of America's 250th anniversary.

As part of the initiative, the Carnegie Corporation reached out to every Carnegie library in the nation and confirmed that roughly 1,280 still operate and acknowledge their historical connection to Carnegie, making them eligible for the celebratory funds. Approximately 750 Carnegie libraries continue to use their original buildings, while others, like Rochester's, have evolved to meet the needs of their communities in new or updated spaces.

Gift recipients can expect to receive funding in January 2026. Libraries may use the $10,000 in any way that supports their mission, benefits their community, or marks the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary.

"We were surprised by this wonderful gift and will take time to decide how to use the funds in a way that would honor Andrew Carnegie's mission," said Marie Lejeune, Library Director.

The $10,000 gifts are part of a larger $20 million special initiative by the Carnegie Corporation designed to support civic institutions, foster civic participation, and bring communities together ahead of the anniversary. In addition to supporting libraries, the initiative includes grants for cultural events, educational programs, and civic engagement opportunities across the country.

Carnegie Libraries and their patrons are encouraged to share photos and stories for possible inclusion on Carnegie's new website, carnegielibraries.org, which highlights user-generated content and provides access to archival materials, historical documents, and resources about the origins of each library building.