About Us

Mission and Vision

Our mission: Princeton Public Library connects everyone in our dynamic and growing community by advancing knowledge, encouraging dialogue and providing opportunities for discovery and joy.

Our vision: A vital cornerstone of community connection, where curiosity and wonder flourish.

Our Shared Values

Learning and teaching

Equity and inclusion

Clarity and transparency

Kindness and an assumption of good faith

Humility and teamwork 

Creativity and collaboration

Optimism and accountability

Library Culture

We exceed the public’s expectations. The exemplary customer service that we provide for our members and guests is what sets us apart from other libraries.

We value diversity, equity and inclusion. The library is stronger when we bring varied perspectives to the work of serving a growing and increasingly diverse community. 

We innovate. The library’s staff, boards and stakeholders are bold and creative. We think about new ways to improve our community every day.

We educate and enrich. We curate extraordinary collections and research tools, constantly develop our level of expertise and offer classes, lectures and events that complement these resources and services.

We listen. We want to hear from everyone about how well we are doing in meeting their needs and how we can do better; we analyze evidence and question our assumptions and we commit ourselves fully to making thoughtful changes.

We collaborate. We are eager to learn and love to lead. We consult with and support colleagues at other libraries and community partners in order to ensure our ability to implement the ideas that best meet our community members’ needs.

We steward. The library is a beautiful, welcoming, versatile building and collection, a world class resource that is owned by our community, funded through public-private partnership and entrusted to the management of a dedicated and talented library staff.

Strategic Plan 2023-’27

2023 Impact Report

The Friends & Foundation of the Princeton Public Library

The Friends and Foundation of the Princeton Public Library supports the library’s mission to connect people with ideas, information, technology, resources, and each other in ways that enrich their lives and help them realize their dreams. This is accomplished through the stewardship of the library’s endowment and fundraising efforts that enhance and promote the work of the library.