Knight Foundation has long supported libraries because of the vital role they play in building informed and engaged communities. Libraries function as community centers, resources for government services and important educational spaces. They play a key role in social connectedness, economic opportunity, civic engagement, access to information and technology and more.

We’ve increasingly focused on funding innovation in libraries and collaborations to help them adapt to the changing community needs and preferences  in the 21st century.

Recent research has shown that libraries are one of few democratic institutions that Americans consistently identify as trustworthy: While public confidence in establishments such as the press and government continue to drop, the library remains a welcoming and dependable institution in the eyes of Americans. In fact, most Americans, especially millennials, say libraries can help them find reliable, trustworthy information in the time of “fake news,” social media and news saturation.

Knight is committed to helping libraries maintain their unique, positive role.