Wayne County Public Library receives $10,000 Carnegie gift to support new Preservation Station

The Wayne County 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 across the U.S. between 1886 and 1917. About 750 still operate in their original buildings. The Wayne County Public Library was officially established in 1897.

In 1903 a funding request was sent to Carnegie, who granted $15,000 on the condition that $1,500 be raised annually for maintenance. A new library was built at Market and Larwill streets and dedicated in 1905.

As space needs grew and the building deteriorated, a replacement was constructed on the same site and dedicated in 1967. Today, that facility houses WCPL’s administrative offices, Bookmobile, IT and technical services departments, and the Friends of the Library Book Cellar.

In 2007 WCPL opened a new Wayne County Main Library at Liberty and Walnut streets, becoming a key part of downtown Wooster’s revitalization.

“We are deeply honored to receive this generous gift," said Jennifer Shatzer, library director. "This support will play a meaningful role in our efforts to create the Preservation Station, a dedicated space at the Main Library in Wooster where community members can preserve and share their memories for generations to come. We are grateful for this recognition and excited to continue serving Wayne County with resources that celebrate and safeguard our local history."

“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.”

Patrons are invited to share their photos, stories and community celebrations at www.carnegielibraries.org.