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.

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.

State Librarians

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:

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[1] of the Connecticut General Statutes assigns to the Board the responsibility for:

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.[2]

The mission of the Connecticut State Library is: The Mission of the Connecticut State Library is to preserve and make accessible Connecticut's history and heritage and to advance the development of library service statewide. [3]

Areas of Service

Library Services to Patrons

Support for Local Libraries

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

Resource Sharing

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.

Facilities

Architecture

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.[16] 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.

The library building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981, recognizing both its architecture and its significance as a repository of state history.[17]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap188.htm
  2. ↑ General Statutes of the State of Connecticut, 2007, Section 11-1
  3. ↑ "State Library Board meeting minutes" (PDF). ctstatelibrary.org. July 27, 2009.
  4. ↑ http://www.webjunction.org/documents/connecticut/State_Aid_Payments.htmlState
  5. ↑ http://www.webjunction.org/documents/connecticut/Construction_Grants.html
  6. ↑ "Division of Library Development". webjunction.org.
  7. ↑ "Division of Library Development". webjunction.org.
  8. ↑ "iCONN.org". iCONN.org.
  9. ↑ "Division of Library Development". webjunction.org.
  10. ↑ http://www.cslib.org/fac231.htm
  11. ↑ http://www.cslib.org/facmlsc.htm
  12. ↑ http://www.cslib.org/facrh.htm#lbph
  13. ↑ http://www.cslib.org/facrh.htm#records
  14. ↑ http://www.cslib.org/facvb.htm
  15. ↑ http://www.cslib.org/facwlsc.htm
  16. ↑ 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
  17. ↑ "NRHP nomination for Connecticut State Library and Supreme Court" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 2014-12-08.

External links

Coordinates: 41°45′46″N 72°40′59″W / 41.7629°N 72.683°W / 41.7629; -72.683

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