The Howard County Public Library has been awarded a $10,000 gift from the Andrew Carnegie organization in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The funds will be used to expand programs and create new opportunities for residents across the community, according to the library staff.

The grant honors the legacy of Scottish immigrant and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who funded the construction of 1,681 free public libraries in the United States between 1886 and 1917. Today, approximately 1,280 of those libraries remain in operation, with about 750 still serving their communities from their original buildings. The library in Fayette is one of those. It was constructed in 1914, and the building is still in use today.

Carnegie famously described libraries as “cradles of democracy” that “strengthen the democratic idea, the equality of the citizen.” His belief that free public libraries provide opportunity and access to knowledge for all continues to shape communities more than a century later

The $10,000 gift will directly support expanded programming in Fayette, and educational workshops designed to increase access to learning resources for residents of all ages.

“This generous gift allows us to build on Carnegie’s vision by ensuring our library remains a place where everyone has access to information, enrichment, and opportunity,” said Chris Kloeppel, Howard County Library Director.

The award not only commemorates a historic milestone in the nation’s history but also reinforces the enduring role of public libraries as vital centers of education, civic engagement, and community connection.