LIBRARY FOUNDATION OF LOS ANGELES RECEIVES $500,000 CARNEGIE GRANT TO EXPAND ADULT ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING AND COLLEGE ACCESS FOR TEENS AT LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY

One of 11 library systems nationwide selected in Carnegie’s “Libraries as Pillars of Education and
Democracy” initiative

Los Angeles, CA – June 10, 2025 — The Library Foundation of Los Angeles (LFLA) has been awarded a $500,000 grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York to expand critical educational programs to foster lifelong learning and opportunity across Los Angeles. Over the next two years, the grant will fund new and expanded services at the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) in two essential areas: English as a Second Language (ESL) for adults and college readiness for teens.

“This generous investment from Carnegie Corporation of New York strengthens the Los Angeles Public Library’s mission to transform lives through education,” said City Librarian John F. Szabo. “From helping adults build literacy skills to guiding teens on the path to college, LAPL opens doors for all Angelenos—longtime residents and new immigrants alike. We’re honored to be among the nation’s leading libraries selected for this prestigious grant.”

The funding is part of Carnegie’s national effort, Libraries as Pillars of Education and Democracy, that builds on the foundation’s renewed commitment to libraries as trusted public institutions that help reduce political polarization. Following a call for proposals that drew more than 1,400 responses, Carnegie prioritized initiatives with strong community demand and demonstrated success. Since its early 20th-century campaign to build libraries across the U.S., Carnegie has championed libraries in Los Angeles, funding several branch libraries—including two beloved sites still in use today: Lincoln Heights and Vermont Square.

The LAPL ESL initiative supported by Carnegie will launch classes structured by skill levels and goals and organize volunteer training to enhance English language ability, prepare individuals for the workforce, and encourage civic involvement. The initiative will address the significant need for tutors in branch libraries and aims to establish a more systematic assessment process for learners, to ensure classes and tools are tailored to individual students’ needs. It builds on LAPL’s existing adult literacy programs that provide one-on-one tutoring, classes, access to self-paced digital learning tools, and more.

The college readiness program will coordinate efforts among schools, libraries, and community organizations in South Central Los Angeles to boost awareness, accessibility, and involvement in LAPL’s comprehensive college readiness services, including academic support and leadership programs among teens who are harder to reach. LAPL will support students and adopt a “train-the-trainer” model to strengthen staff capabilities and ensure sustainability.

“Carnegie Corporation of New York’s new ‘Libraries as Pillars of Democracy’ initiative is a powerful example of how private philanthropy can help expand opportunity at the Los Angeles Public Library,” said Stacy Lieberman, President and CEO of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles. “We are proud to help advance these transformative programs for adult English language learners and college-bound teens.”

About the Library Foundation of Los Angeles
The Library Foundation of Los Angeles provides critical support to the Los Angeles Public Library resulting in free programs, resources, and services available to the millions of adults, children, and youth in Los Angeles. Through fundraising, advocacy, and innovative programs, the Library Foundation strengthens the Los Angeles Public Library and promotes greater awareness of its valuable resources. For more information, please visit lfla.org.

About the Los Angeles Public Library
A recipient of the nation’s highest honor for library service—the National Medal from the Institute of Museum and Library Services—the Los Angeles Public Library serves the largest and most diverse urban population of any library in the nation. Its Central Library, 72 branch libraries, collection of more than eight million books, state-of-the-art technology accessible at lapl.org, and thousands of public programs provide everyone with free and easy access to information and the opportunity for lifelong learning.

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