MONTCLAIR, NJ (October 29, 2025) — Montclair 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 with a $40,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie, The Bellevue Avenue Branch of Montclair Public Library, located at 185 Bellevue Avenue, has served generations of Montclair residents as a vital hub of learning, literacy, and civic engagement.
Designed by architect F.A. Nelson, the building reflects Classical Revival style, a hallmark of Carnegie Libraries, with its symmetrical façade, grand arched windows, and stately brick and limestone construction. Inside, its high ceilings, original woodwork, and large windows create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Over the years, the library has hosted everything from children’s story times and book clubs to art exhibits and community meetings, embodying the spirit of the public library as a democratic institution open to all.
“We are delighted to receive this gift from Carnegie Corporation of New York. Anyone who has visited our Bellevue Avenue Branch knows that it is not only an incredible historic building but also something very special to our library community, and we are so grateful to have the opportunity to celebrate it.” said Library Director Radwa Ali.
“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.”
Montclair Public Library will receive the gift in January 2026, and will be able to use the funds freely to further the library’s mission and continue to benefit the community.