Chelsea Adams, Katie Day
19 February 2026
Learn about the remarkable partnerships that produced more than 2,500 Carnegie‑funded libraries across the United States and the complex, negotiated process that made these institutions enduring pillars of public knowledge. Drawing on contemporary scholarship, the conversation illuminates how local communities, librarians, and decision makers harnessed Andrew Carnegie’s philanthropic energy to shape America’s public library system. 00:30 Intro 03:00 Andrew Carnegie: Immigrant to Titan of American Industry 11:30 Carnegie Libraries Spread Across the Country 24:40 Library Design and Enduring Legacy 30:00 Carnegie’s Vision of Citizenship & the Gospel of Wealth 39:45 What We Learned This Week For a full list of episode sources and resources, visit our website.
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