Home - Connecticut State Library

Welcome to the Connecticut State Library

Discover the many ways the Connecticut State Library supports and inspires researchers, students, historians, local and state governments, and all residents of Connecticut.

Looking for important services and information? The State Library houses reference services, public records, and the official State archives. We can help you sign up for a library card, access retention schedules, learn about our state's rich history and heritage, and much more.

Visit the Connecticut State Library today!
Address: 231 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106
Hours: Monday - Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

How can we help?

Ask a librarian

Have a specific question? Chat with us Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. or email us today.

Ask or email us

Find hours and locations

Find hours and locations for all library facilities.
Plan a Visit to the State Library

Visit the State Library in Hartford.
Get a CSL library card

Get a CSL library card and learn more about the benefits.
Ask Public Records Administration

For questions about management of state, municipal, or quasi-public agency records.

Popular resources

CT Library for Accessible Books, Division of Library Development

Apply for free access to books in audio and braille formats.

Public Records Administration

Records management for state agencies, towns, cities, and other subdivisions of the state.

Services to libraries and librarians

Access statewide programs and services, professional development and consulting services at the Division of Library Development (DLD).

State archives

Explore Connecticut’s history through official records, documents, letters, and photos.

Reference services

Find government, history, law, and legislative resources.

Historians and genealogists

Historical information about our state and the people who have lived in it.

Local and state agencies

Explore our library of resources for state agencies and municipalities.

Legal researchers

Find a collection of state and federal legal publications. Learn more about state, federal, and local government, state history and laws, genealogy, or public records and patents.

Latest news & events

Connecticut's Royal Charter of 1662 is back!

This important document has been away for conservation and has now returned! It was on display for one day only on February 4, 2025 in the Museum of Connecticut History and will be brought “out of the vault” only for limited, significant occasions in the future.

Learn more about this special Charter event

Hiking Thru History

Friday Events

July 12 | August 2

September 6 | October 18

CT Public Libraries statewide annual reports 2023

Connecticut State Library Releases Two Reports: “CT’s Public Libraries: A Statistical Profile, 2022-2023” and “Statistical Trends in CT Public Libraries, 2023”

New State Library outreach van

Outreach, programs, events and exhibits used for all State Library divisions and units.

Images of the Outreach Van:
Ramp Access
Inside the Van
Canopy Over the Exterior

Federal Library Funding in CT

Federal funds granted through the Institute of Museum and Library Services Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grants to States Program support much of the statutorily mandated statewide library infrastructure, support, and services that enable information and education access to the people of Connecticut. In 2024, CT received $2,164,184 through the LSTA Grants to States program.

Federal funds do not directly support public libraries who are funded locally by their municipalities.

Federal Library Funding in CT webpage

Featured content

Works Progress Administration

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was established in 1935 by executive order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and funded by Congress through the Emergency Relief Appropriate Act of 1935

Works Progress Administration

Connecticut Digital Newspaper Project

The Connecticut Digital Newspaper Project (CDNP), run out of the Connecticut State Library, is a newspaper digitization project that works as part of the larger Library of Congress National Digital Newspaper Program to digitize historical newspapers for preservation and research use.

Connecticut Digital Newspaper Project

America 250 at the CT State Library

The Connecticut State Library and Museum of Connecticut History hold a wide range of original resources relating to Connecticut’s important role before, during, and after the Revolutionary War. Check them out as we prepare to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution starting in 2025!

America 250 resources at the CT State Library

Herbert Randall Survey of New Haven

The Connecticut State Library has recently completed the digitization of a portion of the photographs from the Herbert Randall Survey of New Haven and Environs, 1880-1920 (PG 380), which is now available in its digital collections. This collection consists of approximately 141 black and white photographs of New Haven and surrounding areas.

Connecticut Digital Archive (CTDA) collection

Subscribe to CSL publications

Subscribe to Connecticut State Library publications. Sign up to receive our newsletter, CT Newspaper Project News, DLD updates, and more directly in your inbox.

Subscribe here

Programs