About New Canaan Library

Library History

The New Canaan Library has served local readers since 1877, when it was founded by volunteers who contributed donated books and raised money to operate a reading room on Elm Street. In 1895, the New Canaan Library became one of the first public-private partnerships with the Town, when the latter gave the Library its first annual grant of $100. Because of increasing use, the Library moved from the Elm Street storefront to its present building in 1913, built with bequests from the estates of Albert Comstock and Jesse St. John, expanding in 1937, 1952, and again in 1979 with the addition of the Lapham Wing.

Today the Library is home to more than 165,000 print and 20,000 audiovisual items, utilized by nearly 20,000 cardholders. Patrons access many different resources New Canaan Library offers: a high-speed Internet connection on public access computers, stimulating programming, tools for finding employment, computer classes, homework help for their children, and books and movies for entertainment.

New Canaan Library is also home to many special collections on various subjects, established to honor notable residents. It is also widely known for its annual Salant and Attwood Lectures, which bring well-known journalists and broadcasters to the Library.

New Canaan Library's Mission
Enrich the town’s intellectual and cultural life
by providing free and convenient access to information,
fostering lifelong learning,
and encouraging the exchange of ideas.

The Library's Vision

New Canaan Library’s vision is to be the cornerstone of our community’s intellectual and cultural life by

• Providing free and convenient access to literature and information in its many formats, and serving as a forum for the exchange of ideas;
• Presenting stimulating and diverse cultural events, including music, visual arts, author visits, performing arts and film ; 
• Offering superior service in a welcoming, intellectually enriching and accessible environment;
• Engaging every segment of the community – all ages, interests, needs and learning styles; 
• Respecting and valuing the contributions of staff, volunteers and donors;
• Embracing technology that delivers cutting-edge resources for the 21 st century; and by
• Managing this vital town asset in a fiscally responsible, flexible and environmentally sensitive way to ensure we meet the evolving needs and interests of our patrons while building on a tradition of respect for and enhancement of the mind, the spirit, and the community.