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New Haven Free Public Library

Ives 

133 Elm Street, New Haven 

The New Haven Free Public Library, since its’ founding in 1887, has had a proud and vital tradition of civic service. The library provides free and equal access to knowledge and information in an environment conducive to study and resource sharing through its book collections, media services, technology access and programs and activities. Today, the vision and the mission of a free public library system for New Haven and the region remains the same.

The New Haven Free Public Library has become a model for urban library systems throughout the Unites States, one which welcomes change and embraces new challenges. The Library serves all the public through programs and activities that are relevant to age specific individuals and groups through core traditional book collections, reference materials and subscription periodicals, audio-visual and technology access. Currently, there are five locations: the main Ives Library on the historic New Haven Green and, four branches including: Stetson on Dixwell Avenue, Mitchell in Westville, Fair Haven on Grand Avenue and Wilson on Washington Avenue in the  Hill neighborhood.  Each library, while meeting the specific information of needs of its neighborhood, endeavors to provide a wide range of books and materials and technology access on a variety of subjects. 

In 2007, the library system welcomed over 530,000 visitors, 1,500 readers enrolled in the Children’s Summer Reading program, the public access of our computers was over 98,000 times. The unique talents of the Library staff guide learning through creative and educational programs for early childhood development through family fun learning in Family Place space; youth career awareness and training opportunities through the Connecting Youth to Work Career Resource Center; teen after-school book based programs; live on-line homework help for teens in the Library or at home through Tutor.com; adult book discussion programs on a wide array of timely topics; technology training in English and Spanish; outreach to Baby Boomers and the active older adult population and; mobile outreach services to underserved neighborhoods through the Library’s Readmobile van.

Additional programs and services highlights include: on-going tours available for class visits; Chinese services and collections; African-American and Hispanic book, periodical and audio-visual collections; the New Haven local history room; the Non-Profit Philanthropic Resource Center provides access to business and career opportunities as well as hosts free workshops and seminars; "Writer's Live" author speaker series; a Consumer Health Information network; a performing arts, exhibit and gallery space; community meeting rooms, an on-line catalogue, interlibrary loan, a library kiosk at Shaw’s Supermarket; a diverse and rich collection of audio books, VHS and DVD’s and, periodicals.

 New Haven Free Public Library Readmobile