Connecticut State Library News

State Librarian Kendall Wiggin has announced that due to the worsening budget situation and with little chance to replace public service staff that retired earlier this year, the State Library will stay closed to the public on Mondays indefinitely. The Library’s hours are Tuesday – Friday 9-5, Saturday 9-2. Wiggin noted that the Museum of Connecticut History will remain open on Mondays. The Museum’s hours are Monday – Friday 9-4 and Saturday 9-3.

The Connecticut State Library will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 26th, Friday, Nov. 27th and Saturday, Nov. 28th for the Thanksgiving Day holiday and statewide furlough day. The Museum of Connecticut History will be closed Nov 26th and 28th, but will be open during its regular hours on Friday the 27th. Regular hours will resume for both the Library and the Museum the following week.

The Association for the Study of Connecticut History (ASCH), the Connecticut State Library, the Connecticut Militia Heritage Committee, and Manchester Community College will offer a conference about “Connecticut At War” on Friday, Nov. 13 & Saturday, Nov. 14. Speakers from various organizations will be featured and will discuss the different experiences of Connecticut people with wars spanning more than 350 years.

The conference begins on Friday, Nov. 13 at 11:30 a.m. at the Connecticut State Library, 231 Capitol Avenue in Hartford with an opening program featuring Tom Callinan, Connecticut’s “1st Official State Troubadour,” and Kevin Johnson, with his moving portrayal of a former slave, “Jordan Freeman: The Fight to Set a People Free.” The program continues with a presentation from keynote speaker David Corrigan, from the Museum of Connecticut History on the 100th anniversary of the Governor William A. O’Neill State Armory.

Tours of the Colt Collection at the Museum of Connecticut History and the Civil War monuments on the Capitol grounds will also be provided. A plenary session on the Connecticut National Guard and Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom will also be featured, concluding with a reception at the Officers’ Club of Connecticut.

On Saturday, Nov. 14, the program begins at 8:45 a.m. at Manchester Community College with a welcome from Dr. Gena Glickman, president of MCC, and Dr. Guocun Yang, president of ASCH and professor of history at MCC. The program will continue with a presentation from keynote speaker Col. Richard Welch, Connecticut Army National Guard, on “Advising the Afghan National Army.” Researchers will discuss a variety of war-related topics from the 17th to the 21st centuries. Concurrent sessions include 17th century warfare, the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and the 21st century conflicts.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided by the MCC Hospitality Industry Association. Friday registration fees; $15; Saturday registration fees for members of ASCH, CMHC and CSL, and employees of MCC, $40; Saturday non-member $45; Saturday students, $30.

For more information on the ASCH conference or to register, contact Professor Guocun Yang at 860-512-2782 or gyang@mcc.commnet.edu. To view the entire schedule of events, visit www.mcc.commnet.edu/events.

The Connecticut State Library will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, for the Veterans Day holiday. Regular hours will resume on Thursday, November 12.