Carnegie Libraries 250

Libraries in Little Falls and Sauk Centre Received $10,000 Gifts from Carnegie Corporation of New York

Little Falls Carnegie Library and Sauk Centre Sinclair Lewis Library, branches of the Great River Regional Library, received $10,000 gifts 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. Sauk Centre opened in 1903 and Little Falls opened in 1905, our libraries are two of 58 Carnegie Libraries in Minnesota built through this historic program. 

“These gifts honor the history of Carnegie Libraries and the role they have played in communities nationwide for more than a century. What rich history we are able to be a part of,” said Brandi Canter, Great River Regional Library Executive Director. 

“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.” 

Great River Regional Library received the gifts for Little Falls and Sauk Centre branches in early 2026. The funds are to celebrate the 250th anniversary, further our mission, and benefit our community.

Carnegie Corporation of New York invites patrons to share their library photos, stories, and community celebrations in Little Falls and Sauk Centre, Minnesota, at carnegielibraries.org. 

See Carnegie's news release here: https://www.carnegie.org/news/articles/hundreds-of-carnegie-libraries-to-receive-10000-gifts-in-celebration-of-united-states-250th-anniversary/