Connecticut State Library - Governance

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:

• Chief Justice of the Supreme court or designee
• Chief Court Administrator or designee
• Commissioner of Education or designee
• Five members who are appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be an experienced librarian, one of whom shall be an experienced archivist and one of whom shall be an experienced museum professional
• One member each appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, the minority leader of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives and the minority leader of the House

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 of the Connecticut General Statutes assigns to the Board the 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 Library Network
• 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 publication despository library system; the retention, destruction and transfer of documents; the Connecticard program; and statewide library programs.

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.