The Dunkirk Public Library has received a $10,000 gift from Carnegie Corp. 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. Established in 1904 with a gift of $25,000, our library is one of over one hundred Carnegie Libraries in New York built through this historic program.

“Our library has been serving the residents of Dunkirk and the surrounding areas for over 120 years. This gift is a testament to the ongoing and essential role Carnegie Libraries play in their communities, and we look forward to putting the funds to use for the benefit of our patrons” said Library Director Jason Hammond.

“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 Dunkirk Public Library received the gift in January, and after a period of planning and procurement, our patrons are about to experience significant improvements to our public gathering spaces, especially with regard to the Computing Center, Meeting Room, and Reading Room.

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