Connecticut State Library

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Connecticut State Library
Connecticut State Library

The Connecticut State Library is the state library for the U.S. state of Connecticut, and is also an executive branch agency of the state. It is located in Hartford, Connecticut.


The State Library provides a variety of library, information, archival, public records, museum, and administrative services to the citizens of Connecticut, as well as the employees and officials of all three branches of state government. Students, researchers, public libraries and town governments throughout the state are also served by the State Library. In addition the State Library directs a program of statewide library development and administers the federal Library Services Technology Act state grant. The State Library, in conjunction with the Department of Higher Education, administers iCONN, Connecticut's Re-Search Engine.

Contents

[edit] History

The Connecticut State Library was established by an act of the Connecticut General Assembly in May 1854. Dr. James Hammond Trumbull was appointed the first State Librarian for Connecticut in that year. In its 150-year history there have been only 10 State Librarians. The collections were first kept in the State Houses in Hartford and New Haven and then in the present day Capitol. In 1910 they were relocated to the State Library and Supreme Court building in Hartford where they are housed today.

[edit] State Librarians

  • James H. Trumbull, 1854
  • Charles H. Hoadly, 1855-1900
  • George S. Godard, 1900-1936
  • James Brewster, 1936-1956
  • Robert C. Sale, 1957-1963
  • Walter Brahm, 1964-1975
  • Charles E. Funk Jr., 1975-1979
  • Clarence R. Walters, 1980-1986
  • Richard G. Akeroyd, 1986-1997
  • Kendall F. Wiggin, 1998-

[edit] Governance

The Connecticut State Library is an Executive Branch agency of the State of Connecticut. The State Library Board determines policy for the State Library and provides for the supervision of the State Library by a State Librarian appointed by the Board. The State Library Board is within the Department of Education for administrative purposes only.


The State Library Board consists of:

  • Chief Justice of the Supreme court or designee
  • Chief Court Administrator or designee
  • Commissioner of Education or designee
  • Five members who are appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be an experienced librarian, one of whom shall be an experienced archivist and one of whom shall be an experienced museum professional
  • One member each appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, the minority leader of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives and the minority leader of the House

The terms of appointed members are coterminous with term of their appointing authority. The State Librarian, who serves as the chief administrative officer of the Board, is appointed by the Board.

Statutory Charge and Responsibilities Section 11-1 of the Connecticut General Statutes assigns to the Board the responsibility for:

  • the supervision of the State Library by a State Librarian
  • planning for state-wide library service, other than for school libraries
  • maximum state participation in federal aid for public libraries
  • establishing standards for principal public libraries
  • appointing an advisory council for library planning and development
  • instituting and conducting programs of state-wide library service
  • maintaining the state's principal law library
  • maintaining a library service for the blind and other persons with disabilities
  • planning and developing the Connecticut Library Network
  • making construction grants to public libraries
  • creating and maintaining the official state archives
  • programs for library development and reader services
  • operating the Raymond E. Baldwin Museum of Connecticut History and Heritage

Under the direction of the State Library Board, the State Librarian is responsible for developing and directing a public records management program.

The State Library Board approves rules and regulations for the state publication despository library system; the retention, destruction and transfer of documents; the Connecticard program; and statewide library programs. [1]

The mission of the Connecticut State Library is:

  • to provide high quality library and information services to state government and the citizens of Connecticut;
  • to work cooperatively with related agencies and constituent organizations in providing those services;
  • to preserve and make accessible the records of Connecticut's history and heritage;
  • to promote the development and growth of high quality information services on an equitable basis statewide;
  • to provide leadership and cooperative opportunities for the library, educational, and historical communities in order to enhance the value of their individual and collective service missions; and
  • to develop and promote appropriate legislation and public policy in support of these efforts.[2]

[edit] Areas of Service

[edit] Library Services to Patrons

  • The Connecticut State Archives has acquired historical records from the three branches of Connecticut government since 1855. The Archives contains more than 32,000 cubic feet of records documenting the evolution of state public policy and its implementation, the rights and claims of citizens, and the history of Connecticut and its people.
  • Government Information, the State Library is a Regional Federal Depository Library as well an a Connecticut State Document Depository, and has an extensive collection of government publications and supporting public policy materials. The Library also maintains the Connecticut Digital Archive.
  • History and Genealogy, the State Library maintains a comprehensive collection to preserve and make accessible the records of Connecticut's history and heritage including genealogies, local histories, Connecticut newspapers, and vital, church, and probate records.
  • Law and Legislation, the State Library serves as the principal law library for Connecticut state government and maintains a comprehensive collection of state and federal legal publications, and an archive of Connecticut General Assembly documents.
  • The Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is a network member of the Library of Congress' National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. We lend books and magazines in recorded format along with playback equipment and materials in Braille, free to any Connecticut adult or child who is unable to read regular print due to a visual or physical disability.
  • The Office of the Public Records Administrator creates records retention schedules for state and local government and supervises the legal destruction of public records that have no permanent or historic value and have reached the end of their usefulness. This office also operates the State Records Center where state agencies can temporarily store their records.

[edit] Support for Local Libraries

The Library administers many programs to support public libraries in the state:

  • State Grants to Public Libraries support public library services
  • Public Library Construction Grants are available to improve public library facilities to meet communities' needs
  • Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds provide for statewide programs including the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Connecticar, training for library staff, and fund competitive grants to public, school, and academic libraries.
  • Statistical Information is collected about Connecticut's public libraries, organized, and published to provide public libraries with data they need to plan and develop services for their communities.
  • Connecticar provides statewide delivery service to 200 libraries, and is the backbone of resource sharing among Connecticut's public and academic libraries.

[edit] Resource Sharing

  • iCONN, Connecticut's Re-Search Engine, provides universal access to a core level of library and information resources for every resident of Connecticut. The collection of licensed, full text periodical and reference databases is available at every school, college, and public library as well as at home or in the office.
  • Connecticard is a program that allows any resident to use their hometown library card at every public library in Connecticut, providing equity of access to library materials statewide.

[edit] Museum of Connecticut History

The Museum consists of Memorial Hall, a magnificently restored Beaux-Arts style gallery, and three adjoining exhibit areas. On permanent display are portraits of Connecticut Governors as well as historical documents, including the State's original 1662 Royal charter, the 1639 Fundamental Orders, and the 1818 and 1964 State Constitutions. The focus of the Museum and its collections is Connecticut's government, military and industrial history.

Memorial Hall Arches
Memorial Hall Arches
Memorial Hall with Freedom Quilts
Memorial Hall with Freedom Quilts











[edit] Facilities

[edit] Architecture

State Library Lobby. Courtesy of Patrick J. Smith
State Library Lobby. Courtesy of Patrick J. Smith

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Connecticut State Library and Supreme Court Building was held on July 29, 1908. Architects Donn Barber of New York and E. T. Hapgood of Hartford envisioned a design based on an adaptation of the Italian Renaissance style of architecture. The design includes three wings off a central lobby, the State Library on the left, Memorial Hall in the center and the Supreme Court on the right. Construction began on October 23, 1908 with Marc Eidlitz & Son of New York as the builder and general contractor. [3] On November 28, 1910, State Librarian George Godard and his staff moved into the new building.

An addition to the East Wing in 1969 was designed by Architects Jeter & Cook. Bartlett-Brainard & Eacott, Inc. was the general contractor. The addition featured Museum exhibition space, an extensive stack area, and administrative office space.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ General Statutes of the State of Connecticut, 2007, Section 11-1
  2. ^ Collection Development Policy of the Connecticut State Library Information Services Division, Hartford: Connecticut State Library. 1993, p.1.
  3. ^ Report of the State Librarian to the Governor for the two years ended September 30, 1908, Hartford, published by the State, 1909, pp.39-42