The Fort Fairfield Public Library has received 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. Opened in 1913, and still in the original building, the library is one of 18 Carnegie Libraries in the State of Maine built through this historic program.
“This $10,000 gift honors the history of the Fort Fairfield Public Library, originally built with a $10,000 Carnegie grant, and the vital role the library has played in our community for more than a century,” said Library Director Justin Howe.
“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.”
Fort Fairfield Public Library received the gift on Feb. 5, and may use the funds however they wish to celebrate the 250th anniversary, further their mission and benefit the community.
Patrons are invited to share their Fort Fairfield Public Library photos, stories and community celebrations on the social media page and at carnegielibraries.org.
