"Andrew Carnegie and the foundation he established, Carnegie Corporation of New York, have endeavored for more than 100 years to expand educational opportunity, beginning with the creation of 2,509 public libraries and library services throughout the United States and Commonwealth countries. Andrew Carnegie was a great believer in self-help and self-education, which explains his passion for libraries and learning -- a passion that I share. Carnegie Corporation was founded not just for the advancement of knowledge but of understanding. There is scarcely any aspect of education and learning that the foundation has ignored. Over the years the Corporation has worked to strengthen higher education; develop adult education and continuing education for women; advance understanding of cognition and creativity, foster the learning capabilities of young children and adolescents; and reform aspects of precollege education, K through 12.

"Our foundation is about children and their future – their future, which is our future. It is about adults and their aspirations, dreams, ambitions, and journeys of self-discovery through education. But it is also about our citizens -- all our citizens, old and new -- for whom libraries, librarians, books, and other materials have invariably provided a welcome refuge, a pathway to learning and accomplishment, and a source of self-help and hope.

"Today we are here to celebrate Andrew Carnegie’s gifts totaling $56 million to build free public libraries beginning more than a century ago. Specifically, we are here to underscore the importance for all of us of reading. We also want to pay tribute to other private donors -- foundations, corporations, and individuals -- who have contributed to the revitalization of public libraries here and elsewhere. While their commitment to the library enterprise can never take the place of public support, without the generosity and vision of these many devoted philanthropists, an important national institution might long ago have foundered. Instead, libraries everywhere are renewing their mission and drawing on new reserves for the coming century.

"This set of one-time grants to 25 public libraries in New York and other major cities signifies the importance that Carnegie Corporation’s trustees and I attach to the vitality of the public library. We view these awards as testimonials to the need for libraries to strengthen their literacy and outreach programs serving children, youth, and adults, for diversifying their collections, and for preserving the heritage of the past. It is our hope that the grants will become a magnet for solidifying ongoing public and private support for this great work and for raising public consciousness and commitment to the cause of learning."