Library Getting $10,000 Gift from Carnegie Corporation

Crawfordsville District 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, 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 across the United States.

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. The first Carnegie Library to open in the state, our library is one of 164 Carnegie Libraries in Indiana – more than any other state – built through this historic program.

The Crawfordsville community received $25,000 from Mr. Carnegie for the construction of the building, while the city provided the land and annual funding. Opened in 1902, the building was enjoyed as a library for 103 years before the need for more space resulted in the construction of a new building across the street. The Carnegie building’s interior was renovated, and it opened in 2007 as the Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County which is still in operation today.

Due to the age and unique history of the Carnegie Library, it has been recognized with a state historical marker since 2009 and was recently granted a local historic designation by the Crawfordsville Historic Preservation Commission to help preserve the exterior character of the building for generations.

“This gift from the Carnegie Corporation of New York is a wonderful surprise. Carnegie Libraries have played a significant role in their communities, and this is a wonderful way to honor their history and contribution to American life,” said Library Director Theresa Tyner.

“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.”

Crawfordsville District Public Library will receive the gift in January 2026, and the funds may be used to celebrate the 250th anniversary, further our mission, and benefit our community.

Patrons are invited to share their Crawfordsville District Public Library photos, stories, and community celebrations at carnegielibraries.org.