Mission Statement

The New Haven Free Public Library serves as a resource to provide information, education and recreation to the citizens of the City of New Haven. It lends books, offers timely, accurate reference services, and provides learning resources to support diverse educational goals for the out-of-school citizen. The Library consists of five facilities: the Main Library and the Fair Haven, Mitchell, Stetson and Wilson branches. The Library is overseen by a Board of Directors appointed by the Mayor. The Mayor serves as an ex-officio member of the Board. This body is charged with establishing and enforcing the rules and regulations for the management, protection, preservation of library property, and with hiring the City Librarian.