The Carnegie Corporation of New York is awarding $10,000 grants to 21 libraries across Brooklyn through Carnegie Libraries 250, a national initiative marking the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The effort highlights the continued role of public libraries in supporting civic life and recognizes about 1,280 Carnegie libraries still operating in the United States.
Brooklyn’s first Carnegie library opened in 1904 and nearly 125 years later it remains in service. The borough continues to reflect Andrew Carnegie’s vision of expanding access to books and information for people of all backgrounds, with 18 of the original Carnegie-funded branches still in use today.
“In Brooklyn, the first Carnegie Library opened in 1904. It continues to serve Brooklynites today nearly 125 years later—standing as a testament to Andrew Carnegie and his vision to provide access to books and information to people from all walks of life,” said Linda E. Johnson, president and chief executive officer of Brooklyn Public Library.
Carnegie, a Scottish immigrant, funded the construction of 1,681 free public libraries nationwide between 1886 and 1917, including 21 in Brooklyn. His commitment to public learning was shaped by his early life. As a teenager working in a Pennsylvania cotton mill, he gained access to books through a private collection made available to working boys, an experience that influenced his belief in libraries as pathways to opportunity.
The new funding will support a mix of programming and improvements across participating branches. Planned activities include art classes, author talks, bilingual storytimes and technology instruction. Some locations will use the grants to upgrade meeting spaces or create exhibition areas for local artists.
As the nation approaches its semiquincentennial, the initiative underscores how libraries rooted in history continue to evolve. Across Brooklyn, these investments reinforce the role of libraries as accessible spaces for education, culture and community connection.
