Statutory Charge and Responsibilities

Section 11-1 of the Connecticut General Statutes assigns to the Board 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 Digital Library
• 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 publications depository library system, the retention, destruction and transfer of documents; the Connecticard program; and statewide library programs.

The State Library Board administers a $14 million annual budget and provides leadership and support services to Connecticut's 169 public libraries.