We are excited to announce that Hedberg Public 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 (like HPL) have moved to new locations. Opened in 1901, our library is one of 65 Carnegie Libraries (63 public, 2 academic) in Wisconsin built through this historic program.
“We are surprised and delighted to receive this generous grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York,” says Eric Robinson. “At a time when libraries face possible funding cutbacks, monetary donations and grants like this have a tremendous impact on our ability to serve the Janesville community. We are currently exploring options on how to best implement the grant.”
“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.”
Though HPL is no longer housed in the Carnegie building, we are proud to have been one of about 1,280 Carnegie Libraries established and still serving communities nationwide. HPL will receive the gift in January 2026, and we'll begin exploring the many ways we may use the funds to celebrate the 250th anniversary, further our mission, and benefit our community.
Patrons are invited to share their Hedberg Public Library photos, stories, and community celebrations at carnegielibraries.org.