Prince William Public Libraries Receives Grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York

Selected through a national call for proposals, the library funds will expand programs for English language learning and college access

New York, New York, June 10, 2025 — Prince William Public Libraries is among 11 public library systems across nine states to receive a grant up to $500,000 each from Carnegie Corporation of New York, the foundation established by Andrew Carnegie, who funded the construction of more than 2,500 libraries worldwide. PWPL was selected through a competitive request for proposals as part of a two-year initiative launched by Carnegie’s Education program to help deliver critical services that promote socioeconomic mobility.

From expanding English language workforce training in the greater Prince William community to strengthening literacy models in urban New Jersey and supporting mentorship programs for local youth in Kansas City, Missouri, the funding will help public libraries advance opportunity and civic participation. Library services include English language instruction for immigrants, continuing education for adults seeking to build skills and attain high school diplomas, and college counseling for teens.

The Prince William Library Foundation will provide $400,000 in grant funds to PWPL to expand its English as a Second Language (ESL) and workforce development programs in response to rising demand from its diverse, multilingual community. PWPL will partner with a local university to offer leveled ESL classes, provide free placement tests, and train at least 12 librarians in TESOL to sustain programming long-term. The grant will also support interpreter services during job-readiness programs and expand access to ESL learning resources, including translated materials, language-learning software, and take-home kits.

“These initiatives aim to serve over 10,000 learners, improve English proficiency, and reduce access barriers for immigrants and non-English speakers in Prince William County and the City of Manassas,” commented Jennifer Patterson, PWPL director. “PWPL emphasizes long-term sustainability by embedding ESL instruction into regular staff duties and developing local partnerships, ensuring greater community responsive enrichment and access to approachable, adaptive experts.”

This national effort, called Libraries as Pillars of Education and Democracy, builds on the foundation’s renewed commitment to libraries as trusted public institutions that help reduce political polarization. The first round of grants was announced in September 2024, with $4 million in grants to New York City’s three public library systems.

“Andrew Carnegie believed libraries were ladders upon which anyone and everyone could rise, and that belief continues to guide us,” said Dame Louise Richardson, president of Carnegie. “At a time when trust in public institutions is fraying, libraries retain public trust. We are delighted to support these grantees as they provide essential programs and community services.”

Following a call for proposals that drew more than 1,400 responses, Carnegie prioritized initiatives with strong community demand and demonstrated success in one or both of two areas:

• Adult English language and literacy programs that build job readiness.

• College access programs that provide teens with academic, civic, and leadership skills, college admissions knowledge, and support from their families in their transition to college.  

“Libraries are places where people build knowledge, skills, and agency,” said Ambika Kapur, an Education program director at Carnegie. “This initiative reflects our belief in investing in civic participation — wherever people come together to learn.”

The selected grantees:

Boston Public Library Fund, Boston, Massachusetts
Gwinnett County Public Library, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Harris County Public Library, Houston, Texas
Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, Missouri
Library Foundation of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee
Plainfield Public Library, Plainfield, New Jersey
Prince William Library Foundation, Prince William County and the City of Manassas, Virginia
Library Foundation SD, San Diego, California 
San José Public Library Foundation, San José, California
Seattle Public Library Foundation, Seattle, Washington

Carnegie has been one of the largest philanthropic funders of libraries, from the early construction of almost 1,700 libraries in the U.S. to helping establish the endowment of the American Library Association, funding the nation’s first graduate library school, and digitizing archival collections around the world.

Learn more about Carnegie’s longtime support of libraries at carnegie.org/libraries.

About Carnegie Corporation of New York

Carnegie Corporation of New York was established by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding. Today the foundation works to reduce political polarization through philanthropic support for the issues that Carnegie considered most important: education, democracy, and peace. @CarnegieCorp

About Prince William Public Libraries

Prince William Public Libraries has 12 branches throughout Prince William County and the City of Manassas, providing free access to books, e-books, e-audio, print and digital magazines, Digital Library, and CDs/DVDs. PWPL also offers free educational and entertaining programs for all ages.
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Carnegie Corporation of New York Media Contact: Angely Montilla, [email protected]
PWPL Media Contact: Rachel Johnson, [email protected]