Funding to support programming around United States’ 250th anniversary
The Carnegie Corporation of New York has awarded a $10,000 gift to the Westfield Washington Public Library. The award is part of Carnegie Libraries 250, a special initiative celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and honoring the roughly 1,280 Carnegie Libraries still serving their communities.
Scottish immigrant Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of 1,681 free public libraries nationwide between 1886 and 1917. That includes the original Westfield Washington Public Library, which was awarded a $9,000 Carnegie grant in 1920, to build the library at 104 W. Main Street. Indiana boasts the highest number of Carnegie libraries in the United States, with 164 built between 1901 and 1922.
Sollars
“This gift is a meaningful reminder of the vision that helped shape public libraries across the country,” says Executive Director Sheryl Sollars. “For nearly 170 years, the Westfield Washington Public Library has served as a place of learning, connection, and opportunity for this community. It is an honor to be recognized as part of that enduring Carnegie tradition while continuing to meet the evolving needs of Westfield residents.”
“Our founder, Andrew Carnegie, who championed the free public library movement, described libraries as ‘cradles of democracy’ that ‘strengthen the democratic idea, the equality of the citizen, and the royalty of man,’” adds Dame Louise Richardson, president of Carnegie Corporation of New York and former head of the University of Oxford. “We still believe this and are delighted to celebrate our connection to the libraries he founded.”
The Westfield Washington Public Library may use the funds to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary, further its mission, and benefit the community it serves. Patrons are invited to share their Westfield Washington Public Library photos, stories, and community celebrations at carnegielibraries.org.
