Walton & Tipton Township Public Library to receive $10,000 gift from Carnegie Corporation of New York

Last Updated on October 23, 2025 by Cass County Communication Network

WALTON — The Walton & Tipton Township 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. Built in 1905 and opened in 1914, the Walton & Tipton Township Public Library is one of 164 Carnegie Libraries in Indiana built through this historic program.

“We are so blessed to have received this amazing gift,” said Kristi Hileman, library director. “The funds will be used to honor the role of a Carnegie Library in benefitting the public.”

“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.”

The Walton & Tipton Township Public Library will receive the gift in January 2026, and we may use the funds however we wish to celebrate the 250th anniversary, further our mission, and benefit our community.

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

SOURCE: News release from Walton & Tipton Township Public Library