Peoria Public Library will receive a $10,000 gift from the Carnegie Corporation of New York as part of an initiative marking next year’s 250th anniversary of America's independence.
The Carnegie Libraries 250 program honors nearly 1,300 Carnegie Libraries still in service across the U.S. Among them is Peoria library’s Lincoln Branch, which was built in 1911 thanks to a $20,000 gift from Andrew Carnegie.
“We’re grateful to receive this gift, which honors the history of Carnegie libraries and the important role they’ve played in communities across the United States,” Peoria Public Library Executive Director Randall Yelverton said in a news release.
Carnegie funded the construction of close to 1,700 public libraries nationwide between 1886-1917. About 750 still use their original buildings, while others have moved into newer locations.
Peoria’s Lincoln Branch updated the facility with a 12,000-square-foot addition in 2011.
Carnegie Corporation president Dame Louise Richardson, the former head of the University of Oxford, noted that Andrew Carnegie described public libraries as “cradles of democracy” that “strengthen the democratic idea, the equality of the citizen, and the royalty of man.”
“We still believe this and are delighted to celebrate our connection to the libraries he founded,” Richardson said in the news release.
Yelverton said the Peoria Public Library is expected to receive its gift early next year, and it can be used however they choose.
“We will find a way for these funds to further our mission and benefit our community, as well as hopefully celebrate the 250th anniversary in some way,” he said.
