The Seattle Public Library to Receive $450K Carnegie Grant to Expand English Language Learning Programs
release date: June 10, 2025
The Seattle Public Library will significantly increase its free English language learning programs over the next two years, thanks to a $450,000 grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York awarded to The Seattle Public Library Foundation.
The grant is part of Carnegie’s “Libraries as Pillars of Education and Democracy” initiative, which is awarding a total of $5 million to 11 libraries in nine states to strengthen English language learning and college access programs.
“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 two-year grant, which begins on July 1, 2025, is expected to help the Library nearly double its culturally responsive programs for English language learners, while adding options such as hybrid formats and free onsite childcare to further expand access.
“Carnegie’s renewed investment in public libraries is very timely,” said Tom Fay, Chief Librarian for The Seattle Public Library (SPL). “Thanks to this generous and forward-thinking grant, we can help respond to an urgent need for more programs that empower Seattle’s immigrants and refugees to pursue their goals and fully participate in our city’s economic and social life.”
“We are grateful for Carnegie’s commitment to Seattle and to public libraries,” said Brian Lawrence, CEO of The Seattle Public Library Foundation, the nonprofit partner of SPL. “Libraries are among our most trusted institutions, and seeing an organization like Carnegie Corporation returning to fund this transformational work is significant.”
Over the course of the next two years, programs will be added in a phased rollout, with up to 13 Library locations identified as program sites. English Conversation Circles, drop-in programs that serve a wide range of learners, are expected to expand from five to 11 weekly sessions. Leveled English classes, will expand from two to three classes a quarter, including an annual advanced ESL program for college readiness. Adult education tutoring, personalized tutoring in ESL and basic skills, is expected to expand from three to five Library locations. Digital skills classes, which include the opportunity for students who need a laptop to earn one, will also expand from two to three classes a quarter, with classes in several languages.
"Seattle is a welcoming city that values the people and cultures that make up the fabric of our diverse communities," said Mayor Bruce Harrell. "As we continue to embrace new neighbors from across the globe, we strive to provide individuals and families equitable access to City services and the ability to fully participate in our local economy and civic life, and to have a sense of belonging. I am grateful that Seattle is among 11 cities whose library systems will receive critical investments to empower our immigrant and refugee community members who call Seattle home."
“As Seattle’s immigrant and refugee population continues to grow and enrich our community, our need for language learning programs that build skills and a sense of belonging has also grown,” said Hamdi Mohamed, director of Seattle’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. “This funding will help our city work with trusted community partners to support our neighbors, and is especially welcome news during Immigrant Heritage Month.”
To offer these programs, SPL partners with a robust network of highly respected community-based organizations that provide trained instructors and other resources, including Evergreen Goodwill, Hopelink, Literacy Source, Seattle Colleges, and Villa Comunitaria; as well as regional and city agencies such as Seattle's Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs; Seattle IT; and Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County.
“Literacy Source is excited to work with The Seattle Public Library and Carnegie to support English language learners in Seattle,” said Cat Howell, Co-Executive Director and Educational Director of Literacy Source. “Adult learning programs are in high demand, and this grant will help build capacity in the community. When we support English language adult learning, the whole community wins.”
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.
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.