Funds recognize Albina Library, Gresham Library, North Portland Library and St. Johns Library for legacy of contributions to community
PORTLAND, Ore. — December 29, 2025 — Multnomah County Library will receive a $40,000 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.
In Portland, Carnegie funded the construction of seven new libraries under the visionary leadership of Mary Frances Isom. Three of those historic buildings are still in use as libraries today: Albina Library, North Portland Library and St. Johns Library (undergoing renovation). Gresham Library relocated in 1990 and the original Carnegie building now houses Gresham Historical Society.
The library system will receive this gift in January 2026 through The Library Foundation, a local nonprofit solely dedicated to supporting our library’s leadership, innovation and reach through private support.
“Multnomah County Library became what it is today in part because of the investment of Andrew Carnegie and our local community more than 100 years ago,” said Director of Libraries Annie Lewis. “That tradition of community stewardship in our libraries continues now as we modernize and expand library spaces for future generations.”
“We are incredibly grateful for this gift from the Carnegie Foundation and for the recognition of our libraries as fundamental democratic institutions,” said Love Centerwall, Executive Director of The Library Foundation. “Andrew Carnegie’s gifts not only funded buildings, they rallied communities and committed local governments to ongoing funding for operations. Our libraries’ strength and future still depend on this collaborative public and private commitment. He understood that a library is only as strong as the community that supports it.”
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About Multnomah County Library
A treasured community institution since 1864, Multnomah County Library is one of the nation’s busiest public library systems, providing social, educational and cultural programs, resources and services, online and through its 19 public locations. With an eye toward the future of community-centered spaces, the library is working to build, rebuild or expand eight libraries through a voter approved capital bond. In addition to being Oregon’s largest provider of free internet access, the library offers millions of print and digital resources, in multiple languages for people of all ages. From early literacy to job training, computer-assisted design and 3D printing, the library supports all people in their pursuits to connect, learn and create. Learn more at multcolib.org.