The Loveland Public Library has been selected to receive a $10,000 grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York as part of its Carnegie Libraries 250 initiative. This national program honors the legacy of Carnegie libraries and supports their continued role in civic life as the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The Loveland Public Library will receive the funds in early 2026. The library team is currently reviewing plans for how best to allocate the grant. Potential uses include expanded library programming, community outreach, and special events that reflect the library’s mission to inform, engage, and inspire.
This recognition also honors the vision of the Loveland Woman’s Improvement Society, which partnered with the City of Loveland in 1905 to secure funding from Andrew Carnegie to build the city’s first library. That vision became reality in 1908 when Loveland’s original Carnegie library opened its doors and served the community for over 60 years.
Scottish American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of 1,681 free public libraries across the United States between 1886 and 1917. Loveland’s library is one of 17 Carnegie libraries in Colorado and remains a proud part of this enduring legacy.
“I am thrilled to receive this gift from the Carnegie Foundation. It reflects the Loveland Public Library’s commitment to serving our community through the democratic values of public dialogue, literacy and learning, and access to information,” said Amy Phillips, Director of the Loveland Public Library.
“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 and former head of the University of Oxford. “We still believe this and are delighted to celebrate our connection to the libraries he founded.”
To read the official announcement about the Carnegie Libraries 250 initiative, visit Carnegie Corporation’s official announcement. The Loveland Public Library invites everyone in the community to explore its resources and programs in person. Located at 300 N. Adams Ave. in Loveland, the library is open Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call (970) 962-BOOK (2665) or visit lovlib.org.
