Our Values

Our mission is to be an essential place for lifelong learning and a vibrant hub for knowledge, culture, and connection for everyone in our community. We do this by staying committed to three core values: lifelong learning, community, and inclusion.

Lifelong learning means the journey is active and ongoing, and the Library is here to smooth the road before you. We meet learners of all ages and stages where they are, helping them access knowledge that will unlock everything from wonder and opportunity to refreshment and repose. 

Community is who and where we are, from individuals to municipal government to local nonprofits, coming together to learn, experience, grow, and support each other and our region.  

Inclusion is the Library’s North Star. Our staff is collectively committed to this principle, which the American Library Association (ALA) defines as “an environment in which all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully; are valued for their distinctive skills, experiences, and perspectives; have equal access to resources and opportunities; and can contribute fully to the organization’s success.”

New Canaan Library is committed to the core values of modern librarianship defined by the American Library Association (ALA), including lifelong learning, equitable access to resources, support for a well-functioning democracy, intellectual freedom, diversity, social responsibility, and sustainability. Our staff and Board of Trustees join ALA in advancing these values by offering a collection, programs, and services that reflect our community and beyond; providing a safe and welcoming environment for all to explore diverse ideas and gain new knowledge and skills; and taking action on climate change through conservation, mitigation, and adaptation. Our work is ongoing, dynamic, and always inclusive.