11/17/2025
Etowah Carnegie Library to Receive $10,000 Gift from Carnegie Corporation of New York
Etowah, Tennessee | November 10, 2025 — Etowah Carnegie 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. Opened in 1915, our library is one of just
four remaining Carnegie Libraries in Tennessee built through this historic program.
“We are honored to receive this gift,” said Library Director Briana Pagdon. “We look forward to
celebrating the history of our library and the role Carnegie Libraries have played across
communities nationwide.”
“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.”
Etowah Carnegie Library will receive the gift in January 2026, and we may use the funds
however we wish to celebrate the 250th anniversary, further our mission, and benefit our
community.
Patrons are invited to share their photos, stories, and community celebrations of Etowah
Carnegie Library at carnegielibraries.org.
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