Historic photo postcard of a library in Alamosa, Colorado

Alamosa, CO

Alamosa, COVisit the Library and Archives In my nearly 15 years at Alamosa Public Library, I have uncovered much of its 125-year history. It evolved from a simple reading room above the “Railroad Street” firehouse into a cherished Carnegie Library at 4th and State. This story was submitted by a Carnegie Library fan. Got a…

Parents and kids outside a food truck

Charlotte, MI

Charlotte, MIVisit the Library and Archives Charlotte Community Library received its first building (then called Charlotte Public Library) from Andrew Carnegie in 1894. The library existed in that building very happily for many years, and patrons still come in and tell us of all the happy memories they have of that original building! We were…

Portrait of Andrew Carnegie in front of library stacks

Glen Ellyn, IL

Glen Ellyn, ILVisit the Library and Archives Community members of all ages participated in activities and enjoyed light refreshments in celebration the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence at the library on May 30, 2026. Attractions included a flight simulator challenge, hand-cut silhouette portraits, signing a replica Declaration of Independence, and…

Brick library with columns and stairs

La Porte, IN

La Porte, INVisit the Library and Archives This library has been an integral part of the community for over 100 years. We love our library and everything that it provides, from a maker’s space to books, music, films, learning opportunities, and workshops. This story was submitted by a Carnegie Library fan. Got a story? Share…

An information flyer for an open house on the history of Kingman, IL

Kingman, IN

Kingman, INVisit the Library and Archives Kingman-Millcreek Public Library has been focused on the legacy of Andrew Carnegie to small communities by investing in preserving our history. An open house held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, was a new event experience for the library, as we displayed everything related to our history as a library…

Titanium plant beds are arranged on grass, with soil and plants growing

De Land, IL

De Land, ILVisit the Library and Archives Goose Creek District Library serves a district of less than 800 with less than $110,000 per year. Some of the Carnegie Libraries 250 gift was used to supplement our programming and collection development funds, but the largest portion was dedicated to our new community garden! With the funds,…

Children sit in rows holding a picture book on George Washington

Bayonne, NJ

Bayonne, NJVisit the Library and Archives Credit: Anna Schiavone, Philip G. Vroom Community School We used our funds to provide every kindergarten, second-, and third-grade student their own copy (to keep in their home library!) of the easy reader American Revolution book George Washington and the General’s Dog by Frank Murphy. (The Bayonne Education Foundation…

People sit at computers in an open lab space in a library.

Puyallup, WA

Puyallup, WAVisit the Library and Archives We used the money to upgrade our computer station tables. We had a designer help us make two pods of six computers in a hexagon shape back in March. Then, this May, we had an additional six tables installed for four computers, a station between the printers for paperwork,…

A red Carnegie Library in Catskill, NY

Catskill, NY

Catskill, NYVisit the Library and Archives We plan to put these funds toward our major capital improvement project, which is now moving forward. This once-in-a-generation project will restore and transform our 125-year-old Carnegie Library into a modern, refreshed, and accessible community space, while preserving the historic character that makes the building so special. With a…

A wooden door with stained glass

Madison, ME

Madison, MEVisit the Library and Archives We were already in the process of having our front door restored when we received notification of the $10,000 gift. The bull’s-eye glass was 75 percent broken, and the door was showing all 120 years of use. The total cost was $10,520. Money doesn’t often fall from the sky,…