Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
AKRON — The Akron Carnegie Public Library will receive a $10,000 gift from Carnegie Corporation of New York, the foundation established by Andrew Carnegie.
The award is part of Carnegie Libraries 250, an 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 across the United States, according to a news release from the Akron Carnegie Public Library.
Scottish immigrant Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of 1,681 free public libraries nationwide between 1886 and 1917. Approximately 750 of them continue to use their original buildings, while others have moved to new locations. Opened in 1915, the Akron library is one of 164 Carnegie Public Libraries in Indiana built through the program.
“The Carnegie gift of $12,500 in 1913 went a long way in helping us fund the construction of our library,” said Janet Hawley, library director. “We are delighted to receive this gift! Carnegie Libraries have played such a tremendous role in our communities across the country throughout the past century, enriching many lives and promoting literacy and education.”
“Our founder, Andrew Carnegie, who championed the free public library movement of the late 19th century, described libraries as ‘cradles of democracy’ that ‘strengthen the democratic idea, the equality of the citizen, and the royalty of man,’” said Dame Louise Richardson, president of Carnegie 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 Akron Carnegie Public Library will receive the gift in January, and they may use the funds however they wish to celebrate the 250th anniversary, further their mission and benefit their community.
Patrons are invited to share their Akron Carnegie Public Library photos, stories and community celebrations at carnegielibraries.org.
