March 17, 2026
Library and Community Services
DATE: March 17, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
LaShonda White, Deputy City Manager of Community
Services
Kate Eppler, Deputy Director of Community Services –
Library
Subject:
Accept and Appropriate Carnegie Corporation of New
York Grant Funds
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Acceptance of the $10,000 gift from the Carnegie Corporation of New York will increase Library revenue in fiscal year 2025–2026. Of this amount, $5,000 will be
used to purchase furnishings, materials, and supplies for the Richmond History Collection Room in the renovated
Main Library. The remaining $5,000 will be disbursed to the Richmond Museum Association to support Museum
programming and exhibits. No additional General Fund
resources are required.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Carnegie Corporation of New York
announced it would gift $10,000 to every United States
library originally constructed with funds from Andrew
Carnegie. The original Richmond Public Library, opened
in 1910 at 400 Nevin Ave, was one such building. The
Richmond Museum of History & Culture currently
occupies the former ‘Carnegie Library’ space. In
acknowledgement of their continued stewardship of the
building and partnership with the Richmond Public
Library, the Library proposes to share the Carnegie gift with the Richmond Museum of History and Culture.
AGENDA
REPORT
March 17, 2026
RECOMMENDED ACTION: ADOPT a resolution to ACCEPT and APPROPRIATE $10,000 in gift funds from Carnegie Corporation of New
York; and AUTHORIZE a payment of $5,000 from the
Carnegie funds to the Richmond Museum Association -
Community Services (Kate Eppler 510-620-
5452/LaShonda White 510-620-6828).
DISCUSSION:
Between 1886 and 1917, industrialist Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of 1,681 public libraries in the United States.
In 1908, the Richmond Club sent a successful petition to Carnegie for a gift of funds to build a public library. The ensuing donation of $17,500 resulted in the construction of the 86th Carnegie-funded library in California, at 400 Nevin Avenue in Richmond. The Carnegie-funded building first opened as a public library in 1910.
In 1949, following explosive population growth in Richmond and a bond measure to build a new Civic Center campus, the Richmond Public Library opened a Main Library as part of that new campus at 325 Civic Center Plaza. The original Carnegie library building at 400 Nevin Avenue now serves as the home of the Richmond Museum of History and Culture (the Museum).
In late 2025, the Carnegie Corporation of New York announced its ‘Carnegie Libraries 250’ initiative, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Through the Carnegie Libraries 250 program, the Carnegie Corporation is making gifts of $10,000 each to the 1,280 libraries that still use their Carnegie building or acknowledge their historical link to Carnegie’s generosity. Libraries are encouraged to use their gifts to further their mission and benefit their community, but no other restrictions are placed on the funds.
Throughout the years, the Library has worked in partnership with the Museum in a variety of ways. Most recently, Museum staff have provided assistance and feedback as Library staff evaluate and organize materials from the Richmond Historical Collection.
When the Main Library re-opens in 2027, after an extensive, $34-million-dollar renovation, the facility will have a dedicated space for these historical materials and will continue to collaborate with the Museum to support researchers and develop historical programming. In acknowledgment of the Library’s ongoing partnership with the Museum, which currently operates the Carnegie-funded facility, the Library proposes to divide the Carnegie Libraries gift: $5,000 will be used to support furnishings and supplies for the Richmond History Collection room in the renovated Main Library, and $5,000 will be paid to the Richmond Museum Association to support continued Museum programming and exhibits.
March 17, 2026
City staff recommend adopting a resolution to accept $10,000 from Carnegie Corporation of New York and authorize $5,000 to the Richmond Museum Association (Attachment 1).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution
Attachment 2 – Carnegie Libraries 250 Announcement
Attachment 3 – Carnegie Press Release