About the Connecticut State Library

Advisory Committees Calendar Collections Directory of Departments Employment Opportunities Facilities Foundation History Mission Policies Publications State Librarian State Library Board Tours

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Who We Are & What We Do:

The Connecticut State Library is an Executive Branch agency of the State of Connecticut. The State Library provides a variety of library, information, archival, public records, museum, and administrative services for citizens of Connecticut, as well as for the employees and officials of all three branches of State government. The State Library also serves students, researchers, public libraries and town governments throughout the state. In addition, the State Library directs a program of statewide library development and administers the Library Services and Technology Act state grant. The State Library, in conjunction with the Department of Higher Education, administers iCONN.org - Connecticut's re-search engine.

Facilities

• State Library & Supreme Court Building, 231 Capitol Ave., Hartford
  Includes the Library, State Archives, and Museum of Connecticut History.

• DEP Building (basement level), 79 Elm Street, Hartford (Offices formerly @ 18-20 Trinity Street, Hartford)

• Middletown Library Service Center, 786 South Main Street, Middletown

• Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, 198 West St, Rocky Hill

• State Records Center, 198 West St., Rocky Hill

• State Library Storage Facility, 75 Van Block Ave., Hartford

• Willimantic Library Service Center, 1216 Main Street, Willimantic

Advisory Committees

Advisory Council for Library Planning and Development (ACLPD)
The mission of the Council is to provide the State Library Board and staff with advice, perspective, and communication from the library community on matters relating to the State Library's various statewide program and service responsibilities, including the administration of the federal Library Services and Technology Act.

Connecticut Digital Library Advisory Board (CDLAB)
The Connecticut Digital Library Advisory Board advises the State Library Board and the Board of Governors for Higher Education on policy, needs assessment and content selection for the Connecticut Digital Library, currently known as iCONN. It meets on the first Wednesday of each month at the Middletown Library Service Center. The 15-member Board is composed of one representative from the Commission for Educational Technology; one representative from the State Department of Education; one representative from the business community, or a library user; one parent of a student in a Connecticut K-12 school; one student in a Connecticut K-12 school or college; one Teacher in a Connecticut school or college; seven professional librarians with at least two representatives from each audience served: school, public and academic libraries; and the State Librarian and the Commissioner of Higher Education, or their designees, serve as ex-officio members of the Board.

Connecticut Newspaper Project Advisory Committee
The CNP Advisory Committee is charged with setting the Selection Criteria for Preservation Microfilming of Connecticut newspapers, and identifying and prioritizing newspapers to be filmed based on the Criteria. From 1995-2002, an estimated 1,212,100 pages of Connecticut newspapers will be preserved on microfilm. Members of the Committee for 1999/2000 are Ellen Embardo, University of Connecticut; Dr. Robert J. Fitzsimmons, Connecticut Society of Genealogists; David Rhinelander, Connecticut Daily Newspaper Association; Judith Schiff, Yale University; and Dr. Bruce Stark, Connecticut State Archives.

Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Advisory Committee
The Committee meets quarterly to advise the LBPH staff on user needs and suggestions for the service. Members are invited to join by the Committee.

Middletown Library Service Center Advisory Board of Governors
CGS Section 11-23a of the General Statutes provides for the establishment of an Advisory Board of Governors for each Service Center made up of representatives from the schools and public libraries served by the centers. The Advisory Boards meet on an as needed basis.

Museum Advisory Committee
The Museum of Connecticut History Advisory Committee advises the State Library Board on the Museum's policies, collections, programs, activities, and operations.

Willimantic Library Service Center Advisory Board of Governors
CGS Section 11-23a of the General Statutes provides for the establishment of an Advisory Board of Governors for each Service Center made up of representatives from the schools and public libraries served by the centers. The Advisory Boards meet on an as needed basis.

Calendar of Events

This calendar lists State Library Board Meetings and Holiday Closings. Go to the Division of Library Development's page to find the calendar of continuing education courses.

Connecticut Heritage Foundation

The Connecticut Heritage Foundation's mission is to promote the awareness of Connecticut's history and culture by providing resources that will support and expand the collections and educational programs of the Connecticut State Library and the Museum of Connecticut History . The Foundation is an autonomous, 501 (c) 3 non-profit foundation governed by an independent board of Directors. Tax-deductible donations may be made to the Connecticut Heritage Foundation, Inc. c/o the Connecticut State Library, 231 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT 06106.

History:

• History of the State Library, 1854-1909
• The Connecticut State Library and Supreme Court Building, 1909

Mission

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 services statewide.

State Library Board

The State Library Board determines policy for the State Library, and appoints the State Librarian.

The Board consists of twelve members: the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or designee; the Commissioner of Education or designee; the Chief Court Administrator or designee; five members appointed by the Governor; and, one each appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Senate Minority Leader, the Speaker of the House, and the House Minority Leader. For current members, minutes of meetings, and statutory responsibilities, see State Library Board.

Tours

Tours for groups are available upon request through the contacts listed below:

• Library Information Services -  757-6565
• Museum of Connecticut History - Tours for the Museum and State Capitol are coordinated by the Connecticut League of Women Voters 240-0222