Connecticut State Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Connecticut State Library |
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| Connecticut State Library & Supreme Court Building | |
| Established | 1854 |
| Location | 231 Capitol Avenue Hartford, CT 06106 |
| Coordinates | 41°45′44″N 72°40′59″W / 41.762316°N 72.683143°W |
| Other information | |
| Director | Deborah Schander (2021–present) |
The Connecticut State Library is the main library for the state of Connecticut in the United States. It is also a part of the state's government, like a special department. You can find it in Hartford, right across from the Connecticut State Capitol building.
This library offers many services. It helps people in Connecticut with information and history. It also helps state government workers and officials. Students, researchers, and local libraries across the state use its services too. The State Library also helps improve library services all over Connecticut. Its main goal is to save and share Connecticut's history. It also works to make library services better for everyone in the state.
Contents
History of the State Library
The Connecticut State Library started in May 1854. This happened after the Connecticut General Assembly, which is the state's law-making group, passed a law. James Hammond Trumbull was the very first State Librarian. Since then, only eleven people have held this important job.
The library's collections were first kept in the State Houses. These were in Hartford and New Haven. Later, they moved to the current Capitol building. In 1910, the collections moved again. They found their permanent home in the State Library and Supreme Court building in Hartford. This is where they are still kept today.
Leaders of the State Library
Here are the people who have served as State Librarians:
- James H. Trumbull (1854)
- Charles J. 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 (1998–2019)
- Deborah Schander (2021–present)
How the State Library is Managed
The Connecticut State Library is part of the Executive Branch of the State of Connecticut government. This means it's like a department that helps carry out the state's laws. A group called the State Library Board makes the rules for the library. This Board also chooses the State Librarian, who runs the library day-to-day. The State Library Board works closely with the Department of Education.
Who is on the State Library Board?
The State Library Board includes several important people:
- The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or someone they choose.
- The Chief Court Administrator or someone they choose.
- The Commissioner of Education or someone they choose.
- Five members chosen by the Governor. One must be an experienced librarian. One must be an experienced archivist (someone who manages historical records). One must be an experienced museum expert.
- One member chosen by the leader of the Senate (president pro tempore).
- One member chosen by the minority leader of the Senate.
- One member chosen by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
- One member chosen by the minority leader of the House.
The people appointed to the board serve for the same length of time as the person who appointed them. The State Librarian is the main manager for the Board and is chosen by the Board.
What the State Library Does
The State Library Board has many important jobs. These are set by state law:
- They oversee the State Library, led by the State Librarian.
- They plan library services for the whole state, except for school libraries.
- They help Connecticut get as much federal money as possible for public libraries.
- They set standards for the main public libraries.
- They create a group to advise on library planning.
- They start and run statewide library programs.
- They keep the state's main law library.
- They provide library services for people who are blind or have other disabilities.
- They plan and develop the Connecticut Library Network, which connects libraries.
- They give money to public libraries to help build or improve their buildings.
- They create and keep the official state archives, which are historical records.
- They run programs for library development and helping readers.
- They operate the Raymond E. Baldwin Museum of Connecticut History and Heritage.
The State Librarian also manages a program for keeping public records. The State Library Board also approves rules for how state publications are stored. They also decide how to keep, destroy, or move documents. They approve the "borrowIT CT" program and other statewide library programs.
Services Offered
Library Services for Everyone
- The Connecticut State Archives collects historical records. These records come from all parts of Connecticut's government since 1855. The Archives has a huge collection of records. They show how state laws changed, what rights citizens have, and the history of Connecticut and its people.
- Digital Projects helps the State Library save and share historical items online. These come from the Library, Museum, and State Archives. They also include government documents that were created digitally.
- Government Information means the State Library has a large collection of government documents. These include federal and state publications. They also have materials about public policy.
- History and Genealogy is a big collection that helps people learn about Connecticut's past. It includes family histories, local town histories, old Connecticut newspapers, and important records like birth, death, and marriage information.
- Law and Legislation means the State Library is the main law library for Connecticut's government. It has many state and federal legal books and documents. It also keeps old documents from the Connecticut General Assembly.
- The Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is part of a national program. It lends books and magazines in audio format. It also provides special players and Braille materials. This service is free for any Connecticut resident, child or adult, who cannot read regular print because of a visual or physical disability.
- The Office of the Public Records Administrator helps state and local governments manage their records. They decide how long records need to be kept. They also supervise the legal destruction of records that are no longer needed. This office also runs the State Records Center. State agencies can store their records there temporarily.
Help for Local Libraries
The Division of Library Development runs many programs to help public libraries in Connecticut:
- Grants to Public Libraries give money to support public library services.
- Public Library Construction Grants help libraries improve their buildings. This ensures they meet the needs of their communities.
- Library Services and Technology Act funds support statewide programs. These include the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. They also provide training for library staff. These funds also offer grants to public, school, and college libraries.
- Statistical Information is collected about Connecticut's public libraries. This data is organized and published. It helps public libraries plan and improve their services for their communities.
Sharing Resources
- researchIT CT is a free online service from the CT State Library. It gives access to articles from journals, magazines, and newspapers. This is for public, K12 school, and college libraries in Connecticut and their users. This service also offers downloadable eAudios and eBooks. These are for Connecticut residents with a valid public library card.
- borrowIT CT is a program where public libraries in Connecticut work together. If you have a valid library card from your hometown library, you can use it to borrow books from any of the 192 public libraries in the program.
Museum of Connecticut History
The Museum of Connecticut History is located within the State Library building. It has a beautiful main hall called Memorial Hall. There are also three other exhibit areas. You can see portraits of Connecticut Governors there. Also on display are important historical documents. These include the state's original 1662 Royal Charter. You can also see the 1639 Fundamental Orders, and the 1818 and 1964 State Constitutions. The museum focuses on Connecticut's government, military, and industrial history.
Library Locations
The Connecticut State Library has several locations:
- State Library and Supreme Court Building, 231 Capitol Ave., Hartford, Connecticut. This building houses the main Library, the State Archives, and the Museum of Connecticut History.
- Middletown Library Service Center, 786 South Main St. Middletown, Connecticut.
- Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, 198 West St. Rocky Hill, Connecticut.
- State Records Center, 198 West St. Rocky Hill, Connecticut.
- State Library Storage Facility, 75 Van Block Ave. Hartford, Connecticut.
Building Design
Work on the Connecticut State Library and Supreme Court Building began on July 29, 1908. The architects, Donn Barber and E. T. Hapgood, designed it in a style similar to Italian Renaissance buildings. The building has three parts coming off a central lobby. The State Library is on the left. Memorial Hall is in the center. The Supreme Court is on the right. Construction started on October 23, 1908. The building was finished quickly. On November 28, 1910, State Librarian George Godard and his team moved into the new building.
In 1969, an addition was built on the East Wing. This new part added space for museum exhibits. It also created more storage for books and administrative offices.
The library building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. This recognized its beautiful architecture and its importance to Connecticut's history.
See also
