Osawatomie Public Library Receives $10,000 Gift from Carnegie Corporation of New York
Osawatomie Public Library Receives $10,000 Gift from Carnegie Corporation of New York
Osawatomie, Kansas, January 30, 2026 — Osawatomie 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 those libraries continue to operate in their original buildings, while others have relocated to new facilities. Originally founded in 1889 through a donation of 100 books by local businessman J.W. Sponable, Osawatomie Public Library received $7,500 in 1910 from Andrew Carnegie to construct a dedicated library building. The library was one of 63 Carnegie libraries in Kansas established through this historic program, though operations relocated to a new facility in 1980.
“This gift honors the legacy of Andrew Carnegie and the critical importance of free public libraries in society,” said Sam Moon, Director of Community Affairs and Library Director for the City of Osawatomie. “We are grateful to have survived and thrived for more than a century, and we look forward to putting this gift to good use for our community and our patrons. The timing—coinciding with the launch of a new expansion effort—feels especially meaningful as we commit to another century of service.”
“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 Corporation of New York and former head of the University of Oxford. “We still believe this and are delighted to celebrate our connection to the libraries he founded.”
Osawatomie Public Library received the gift in late January 2026 and plans to use the funds to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary, advance the library’s mission, and benefit the Osawatomie community.
Patrons are invited to share their Osawatomie Public Library photos, stories, and memories at carnegielibraries.org.
For media inquiries:
Osawatomie Public Library
Sam Moon | [email protected] | (913) 755-2136
Carnegie Corporation of New York
Angely Montilla | [email protected] | 347-360-7803
Carnegie’s news release: https://www.carnegie.org/news/articles/hundreds-of-carnegie-libraries-to-receive-10000-gifts-in-celebration-of-united-states-250th-anniversary/