The San José Public Library (SJPL) is one of only eleven public libraries nationwide to receive a $500,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York to launch a transformative two-year programming initiative that expands SJPL’s English as a Second Language (ESL), college, and career readiness programs.
“This grant reinforces the vital role our library plays in opening doors to education, job opportunities, and lifelong learning,” said City Manager Jennifer Maguire. “It’s an honor to be the only library in the San Francisco Bay Area to be recognized across the country and we take pride in knowing that this funding will help San José lead the way in building a more inclusive and empowered community.”
This grant, part of the “Libraries as Pillars of Education and Democracy” initiative, will allow SJPL to enhance and expand existing programming, which currently serves 13,000 individuals annually, launch new workforce development, college readiness, and financial literacy services, and support an additional 2,000 San José residents as they pursue their educational and career goals.
“San José is a city full of innovators — and now, 2,000 more people, mostly our teens and English language learners, will be able to access the skills and training to succeed,” said Mayor Matt Mahan. “We’re proud that the San José Public Library has received this national recognition — and with it, an investment that will strengthen our city’s workforce and boost educational attainment across our community.”
With the support of the Carnegie Corporation, SJPL will:
• Expand ESL programming with a new workforce-focused curriculum designed to help adult learners improve their English skills, job readiness, and confidence.
• Launch a college and career readiness pipeline for teens, offering post-secondary education workshops, college affordability and financial literacy training, and near-peer mentorships.
• Distribute 100 computing devices to low-income participants and integrate digital skills training for ESL learners and young adults.
• Engage education and workforce stakeholders to strengthen cross-sector partnerships and better align services.
“Libraries offer open doors to knowledge and self-empowerment,” said Jill Bourne, City Librarian. “With support from the Carnegie Corporation, San José libraries will expand and deepen the city’s educational and career opportunities for youth and adults – opportunities that give our residents the transformational power to chart a new future for themselves and their families.”
The grant comes at a pivotal time for San José. Despite Silicon Valley’s economic success, many residents face significant challenges. Over 65,000 residents speak English less than “very well,” and more than 54,000 young adults in the city have no education beyond high school. A recent San José Youth Commission survey also found that only 15% of teens were aware of the available college and career resources. Additionally, the high cost of living, limited access to
affordable educational resources, and gaps in broadband and technology access continue to disproportionately affect families, especially in underserved neighborhoods.
“The San José Public Library Foundation is thrilled that Carnegie Corporation is resuming their investment in our public libraries. This grant is a vote of confidence that recognizes libraries’ role in empowering our communities from one of the leading philanthropic entities. Andrew Carnegie’s commitment to the power of libraries lives on through this award, which will touch the lives of nearly 15,000 San José residents in transformative ways,” said Dr. Dawn Coppin, CEO San José Public Library Foundation.
The Carnegie Corporation of New York was established by Andrew Carnegie, who also funded the construction of more than 2,500 libraries worldwide. SJPL proudly operates one of them – the East San José Carnegie Library, built in 1908 – which remains the only operational Carnegie-built library in Santa Clara County.
To learn more about the Library’s ESL, college, and career readiness programs, visit www.sjpl.org.
About the San José Public Library
San José Public Library (SJPL) is located in the heart of Silicon Valley and in the nation’s 12th largest city. SJPL serves a culturally diverse population of nearly one million and has nearly 750,000 library members. In addition to providing award-winning library services, SJPL proudly leads the City’s Education and Digital Literacy Strategy and the City’s SJ Access digital empowerment initiative. For more information, please visit sjpl.org.
About the City of San José
With nearly one million residents, San José is the largest city in the Bay Area and one of the nation’s most diverse and creative. San José’s transformation into a global innovation center in the heart of Silicon Valley has resulted in the world’s greatest concentration of technology talent and development.
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.
About San José Public Library Foundation
The San José Public Library Foundation supports educational programs and resources through the public library, schools, and community-based organizations, to create an educated, equitable, empowered and engaged community.