The mission of the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System is to foster, strengthen, and improve public library services within its two-county service area.

The Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System, founded in 1960, is a cooperative public library system that serves 36 member libraries across a two-county area of 2,415 square miles. This region is primarily rural, with most of its population of 204,699 residing in scattered hamlets and small villages. The member libraries cater to communities with populations that range up to 28,712, though the majority serve populations of fewer than 4,000. All chartered public libraries within the system’s service area are members of the system.

CCLS derives its primary operating funds from New York State, while additional support comes from two counties. These funds are further supplemented by occasional grants from private foundations and federal sources. Member libraries receive funding from the state and counties (through the System), as well as from local governments, funding referendums, and other private sources.

CCLS aids member libraries with a variety of services including:

Current System URL’s
Member Library Survey Questions 
Member Library Survey Results
DLD Approved Plan of Service 2022-2026 
CCLS Strategic Plan 2022-2026
Direct Access Plan, 2022‐2026 
Co‐Central Library Plan, 2022‐2026