Lake Andes 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 have moved to new locations. Opened in 1914 our library is one of the Carnegie Libraries in SD built through this historic program.

“This gift honors the history of Carnegie Libraries and the role they have played in communities nationwide for more than a century,” said Library Director, Mary Jo Parker.

“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.”

Lake Andes Public 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 Lake Andes Public Library photos, stories, and community celebrations at carnegielibraries.org.