In 2001, Prince donated $12k to Western Library, a historic hub for Black readers. Now, his legacy lives on in quiet generosity.
You heard that right, Prince, the cosmic purple icon, once quietly slipped a $12,000 check to a Louisville library, and he did it long before his song “Purple Rain” ever started playing on repeat in the world’s heart. Let’s rewind and unpack this heartwarming story together.
A Secret Check with Major Heart
Picture this: it’s September 15, 2001, just four days after 9/11, and the nation is shaking. Somewhere amidst that chaos, Prince’s charitable foundation, Love 4 One Another, quietly donates $12,000 to the Louisville Free Public Library’s Western Branch, earmarked for “community building” efforts. And here’s the best part: he wanted to keep it hush-hush. No fanfare, no press release, just pure generosity.
A library employee later spilled that Prince may have been moved by the library’s historic importance, though honestly, nobody’s quite sure how he even learned about it.
Why the Western Branch? A Legacy of Empowerment
So what’s so special about this library? Well, the Western Branch Library isn’t just any library; it’s a landmark in African-American history. It opened in 1905, and it was the first full-service public library in the nation open to African-Americans and staffed entirely by African-Americans.
The story goes: Albert Meyzeek, then principal of Central High School, fought the city to ensure Black Louisvillians had access to books and learning resources. That led to the groundbreaking establishment of the Western Colored Branch in rented rooms, which later evolved into a proper Carnegie-funded building in 1908.
Under leaders like Reverend Thomas Fountain Blue, the library became more than shelves of books. It truly became a vibrant community hub focused on literacy, education, children’s story hours, debate clubs, and even librarian apprenticeships.
A Donation That Mattered
When Prince sent that generous check, it didn’t just sit in a box; it went straight into “Community Building Efforts” that helped keep the library alive and buzzing.
As Haven Harrington, president of the Russell Neighborhood Association and a former library employee, shared on Facebook after Prince’s passing, “We used that money for years,” a quiet testament to how deeply that donation resonated.
More Than Money: A Symbol of Solidarity
Beyond the dollars, this donation sent a really important message: Prince cared about history, equity, and civil rights, even in ways we wouldn’t expect. He valued the idea of a library that belonged to a community, that fostered pride, learning, and belonging.
In a time of national heartbreak and uncertainty, his contribution was a whisper telling Louisville that they mattered. It wasn’t about headlines; it was about heart.
A Legacy That Keeps Growing
Fast-forward to today, and that legacy lives on. The Western Branch still stands, its 1908 Beaux-Arts building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It now hosts the African-American Archives Reading Room, a digitization-enabled space preserving the stories of Reverend Blue, Joseph S. Cotter Sr., and so many others.
Prince’s check might’ve been a drop in the bucket, but it helped keep this bucket sturdy and full, exactly when the community needed it most.
How You Can Help Your Local Library
Prince may have had the big bucks, but here’s the secret: you don’t need a fancy purple guitar or a hit record to make a difference at your neighborhood library. Libraries thrive on community support, and that can take all kinds of forms, and many of them are being neglected by local authorities.
- Donate Funds (Big or Small): Even $10 goes further than you’d think. Libraries often stretch budgets to cover new books, children’s programs, digital subscriptions, or even basics like updated computers. When you give, you’re not just buying ‘stuff’, you’re fueling free access to knowledge.
- Volunteer Your Time: Got a free Saturday, or some hours here and there? Many branches run tutoring sessions, story hours, or tech help for seniors. You could be the extra pair of hands they desperately need.
- Donate Books or Supplies: While not every library accepts used books, some especially for book sales, that raise extra funds. Practical donations, like art supplies for kids’ workshops, can be just as valuable.
- Advocate Loudly: Show up at city council meetings, sign petitions, or simply tell your local officials that library funding matters. Libraries often sit at the mercy of municipal budgets, and public voices can sway those decisions.
Why The Money Matters
Think of your local library as the Swiss Army knife of the community. It’s not just about borrowing the latest bestseller. Libraries provide free internet access for people who can’t afford it, safe study spaces for kids, job search resources, and community programs.
When budgets get cut, those are the first things on the chopping block, and it’s usually the most vulnerable neighbors who feel the loss. That’s why donations, big or small, are lifelines.
So, while Prince’s $12,000 check made a huge splash, your $12 could buy a stack of children’s books, your Saturday afternoon could make someone less lonely, and your voice could keep doors open for thousands. Libraries aren’t just buildings full of books. As all book lovers know, they’re living, breathing engines of opportunity.
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Millie Ramm
Millie has been writing since she was a child, and has spent more time with her nose in books than anywhere else. She has been ghostwriting novels and editing for the past few years, and when not working she is curled up with her cats, looking for her next read.
