List of U.S. state libraries and archives

In the United States of America, state library agencies established in each state have long been a catalyst for a great deal of the motivation for public library cooperation. This has been since the founding of the movement, starting in 1890 when Massachusetts created a state Board of Library Commissioners charged to help communities establish and improve public libraries.[1] Over the years, state library agencies played a major role in encouraging larger units of service to provide library resources.[2] The Library Services Act (1956) and the Library Services and Construction Act (1964) were keystones in the goal of providing library service throughout the nation.[3]

In addition, many of the 50 states have state archives similar to the federal National Archives and Records Administration to keep records relating to information on state laws, census information, etc.[4][5]

  1. ^ McCook, Kathleen de la Peña (2011). Introduction to Public Librarianship. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers. pp. 38–39. ISBN 978-1-55570-697-5.
  2. ^ Charles A. Bunge. “Statewide Library Surveys and Plans Development of the Concept and Some Recent Patterns.” The Library Quarterly: Information, Community, Policy 36, no. 1 (1966): 25–37.
  3. ^ McCook, Kathleen de la Peña (2011). Introduction to Public Librarianship. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers. pp. 289–296. ISBN 978-1-55570-697-5.
  4. ^ "State Archives list from National Archives". Retrieved August 21, 2012.
  5. ^ "State libraries list". Publiclibraries.com. Retrieved August 21, 2012.