State Library of North Carolina
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| Name: | State Library of North Carolina |
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| Established: | 1812 |
| State Librarian: | Mary Boone |
| City: | Raleigh |
| State: | North Carolina |
| Country: | U.S.A. |
| Number of Staff: | 100 |
| Web Site: | http://statelibrary.dcr.state.nc.us |
The State Library of North Carolina is an institution which serves North Carolina libraries, state government employees, genealogists, and the citizens of North Carolina. The library is the main depository for North Carolina state publications and serves the needs of North Carolina government agencies and state government employees by providing access to information resources that are vital to public decision-making and economic development.
The State Library of North Carolina is a division of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, an agency that promotes and protects North Carolina’s arts, history, and culture.
The library has two locations, both in the state capital, Raleigh. The main building is located on East Jones Street next to the North Carolina State Legislative Building and near to the North Carolina Museum of History and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. The Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is located in Capital Boulevard.
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[edit] History
The origins of the State Library date from 1812 when the North Carolina General Assembly required the Secretary of State to collect, catalog, and safeguard books and documents for use by the state legislature and government officials. The library's primary responsibility during the nineteenth century was to serve the state legislature.
Although the State Library was patronized primarily by state officials, the public was allowed to use the reference collection on library premises, and open circulation was permitted for a period during the 1870s and the early 1880s. Until the last decade of the century, the State Library served as the state's only tax-supported library.
In response to a growing demand for more systematic support of the public library movement, the General Assembly of 1909 established the North Carolina Library Commission. Formed for the primary purpose of promoting the development of free public libraries on the local level, the commission's responsibilities included the following: assisting in the establishment of new libraries, including public school libraries; supplementing local collections; distributing library literature; and providing advice to trustees and libraries on library services.
In 1955 the legislature combined the State Library and the North Carolina Library Commission into one agency called the State Library. The combined programs of these two agencies served as the foundation of future developments. The State Library's responsibilities included maintaining a general collection of books, periodicals, newspapers, maps, films, audio-visual and other materials. These materials were available for use on the premises by citizens and state employees and for circulation to public libraries, state agencies, and their employees under policies established by the state librarian and approved by the Board of Trustees. Other responsibilities involved providing sets of laws and journals for the General Assembly, and offering advice and assistance to libraries throughout the state and to other state agencies with special reference collections.
At the request of the North Carolina Commission for the Blind in 1958, the State Library accepted responsibility for providing library services to the blind. In subsequent years the State Library extended additional services to those unable to hold or read ordinary printed materials because of physical or visual impairments.
In the Executive Organization Act of 1973, the State Library was transferred to the Department of Cultural Resources, which absorbed the statutory functions of the State Library.
In 1987 the legislature established a depository system for the distribution of state publications to designated libraries throughout the state. Under terms of the law, the Division of State Library was given responsibility for administering an orderly system to provide public access to the valuable current and historical publications of state government--including documents in paper, film, tape, disk, or any other format. In order to facilitate a distribution system, the legislation authorized the establishment of a State Publications Clearinghouse within the State Library.
The State Library Commission was restructured in 1991 and was given an advisory role to the secretary of Cultural Resources in the following major areas: recruitment and appointment of the state librarian and State Library operations and programs, including information services for the cultural, educational, and economic well-being of the state. The commission was also charged with working for the financial support of local public library and statewide services, including interlibrary programs.
[edit] Services
The State Library of North Carolina provides the following services to its patrons:
Center for the Book: The North Carolina Center for the Book develops and coordinates a wide range of programs hosted locally by public libraries and their community partners. It serves as an advocate, promoting the vital role of books, reading, literacy, and libraries in North Carolina. This is a state affiliate of the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress.
Interlibrary Loan: The Resource Sharing Branch of the State Library of North Carolina offers interlibrary loan services to State Employees who work in Raleigh. State Employees who work outside of Raleigh can take advantage of Interlibrary Loan Services through their local public libraries.
LSTA Grants: The State Library is North Carolina's central point of disemmination for Library Service & Technology Act Grants. In 2006-2007, the State Library will be giving away $4.4 million in grants to eligible North Carolina academic, public, special, school, and state agency libraries.
NC LIVE: The public libraries, community colleges, the state's university system, and members of the North Carolina Association of Independent Colleges and Universities are provided online access to NC LIVE, an extensive and diverse collection of premium electronic resources. The State Library, a member of NC LIVE, supports the training operations of the program.
North Carolina Encyclopedia: Maintained by the Information Services Branch and is designed to give an overview of the people, the government, the history, and the resources of North Carolina. The Encyclopedia is organized into eight broad information categories: Counties and Communities, Education, Geography, Health and Society, History, People, State Government, and State Symbols.
North Carolina State Publications Clearinghouse: The North Carolina State Publications Clearinghouse is responsible for collecting, classifying, cataloging and distributing the publications of state government agencies to selected North Carolina Depository Libraries throughout the state. Currently, there are 23 Depository Libraries throughout North Carolina who receive publications through the North Carolina State Publications Clearinghouse.
Public Librarian Certification: In North Carolina the standards for the certification of public librarians are set by the North Carolina Public Library Certification Commission. The Commission meets quarterly to consider applications from librarians who wish to gain their North Carolina certification as public librarians.
Reference: Reference services are provided at both of the State Library's locations, on E. Jones Street and Capital Boulevard in Raleigh.
Youth Services: The Library Development Section offers resources, programs, workshops and training opportunities related to library services for youth.
[edit] Collections
Digitization Projects: The Information Services Branch has created several digitization projects with topics ranging from Health to African American Churches to the North Carolina Awards. They also participated in the digitization of materials for the "Wildcats Never Quit: North Carolina in World War I", a joint digital project between the North Carolina State Archives, the North Carolina Museum of History and the State Library of North Carolina.
Genealogy: The State Library of North Carolina boasts one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of North Carolina genealogical resources in the state. The Genealogy Collection includes books (family histories, published abstracts, county, state and federal records), periodicals, census indexes, and microfilms related to North Carolina as well as states from which and to which North Carolinians migrated. Nearly all the Genealogy materials are shelved in open stacks for greater patron convenience. The Genealogy Reading Room is usually located on the Mezzanine floor of the State Library. Due to building renovations, it currently shares a space with General Reference in the basement of the State Library.
General Collection: The State Library has a diverse general collection containing many resources concerning North Carolina's rich history, biographies, fiction, travel books, children's books related to North Carolina, and other topics of interest to North Carolinians. All items in the General Collection are shelved in closed stacks which are only accessible to State Library staff. A patron can view books from the General Collection by requesting them from the State Library's Information (Reference) Desk.
Government Documents: The State Library is the official, complete, and permanent depository for State publications. As such, they have one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of North Carolina documents in the state. Preservation copies of the North Carolina state documents are maintained in a fire-proof vault in the basement of the State Library/Archives and History Building. The State Library is also a member of the Federal Depository Library Program. As such, they have an impressive collection of Federal government publications as well. Except for the documents in the reference collection, all government documents are shelved in closed stacks which are only accessible to State Library staff. A patron can view documents by requesting them from the State Library's Information Desk.
North Carolina Newspapers: The State Library has an impressive collection of North Carolina newspapers on microfilm containing over 3 million newspaper pages. The collection contains selected newspapers from just about every one of the 100 counties in North Carolina; certain titles date as far back as 1751. Current newspapers are shelved in the reference reading room. All newspapers on microfilm are shelved in closed stacks which are only accessible to State Library staff. A patron can view microfilmed newspapers by requesting them from the State Library's Information Desk.
Rare Books: The State Library has a small and specialized selection of rare books which cover topics related to North Carolina. Qualities of the rare books include age, limited printings, signatures, and/or custom illustrations. All rare books are shelved in closed stacks which are only accessible to State Library staff. A patron can view rare materials by requesting them from the State Library's Information Desk.
Reference: The State Library has a reference collection containing: North Caroliniana resources, current periodicals and newspapers, business information, North Carolina telephone directories, frequently requested state and federal government publications, materials on grantsmanship and fundraising, statistical materials, directories, indices, and maps. The reference materials are shelved in open stacks for greater patron convenience.
Resources for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: The Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped offers the same book and magazine titles found in a typical public library. Materials are in large print, braille, or audio formats. The audio materials are either cassette tapes or record discs. Patrons may read one or more formats of their choice. The cassette tape and records are recorded at slower speeds than commercially available tapes and records. Thus, the library also loans specially designed cassette players and record players to patrons who request tape or record service. All of these resources are housed in the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped at 1811 Capital Boulevard in Raleigh.
DVDs and Videos: The State Library of North Carolina maintains a collection of videocassettes and DVDs designed to support the departments and programs of the state government. The collection is particularly strong in the areas of business, human resource development, computers, and safety training. The videos and DVDs can be borrowed by state agencies and/or state employees for 10 days. All videos and DVDs are shelved in closed stacks which are only accessible to State Library staff. A patron can request videos and DVDs at the State Library's Information Desk.
[edit] Library Structure
The State Library is made up of three main sections (Administration Section, Library Development Section, and the Library Services Section) and the North Carolina State Library Commission.
[edit] Administration Section
The Administration Section is made up of the State Librarian, two Assistant State Librarians, Budget/Administrative personnel, the Information Technology Branch and NC ECHO.
Information Technology Branch: This branch oversees the ongoing maintenance of computer hardware and software in the State Library.
North Carolina ECHO: North Carolina ECHO (Exploring Cultural Heritage Online) is the World Wide Web's doorway to the special collections of North Carolina's libraries, archives, museums, historic sites, and other cultural institutions. It offers a complete listing of cultural heritage collections in North Carolina, sets standards for the creation of metadata, establishes Digitization guidelines, and offers digitization grants to eligible North Carolina cultural institutions.
[edit] Library Commission
The State Library Commission is a 15-member group of citizens and professional librarians, which provides assistance, advice, and counsel to all libraries and all persons interested in the best means of establishing and administering libraries. The Commission advises the Secretary of Cultural Resources and the State Librarian on priorities and policy issues.
[edit] Library Development Section
The Library Development Section offers a comprehensive program of services including: serving as a liaison to libraries in specific counties, providing assistance with grant programs, continuing education events, publications, special programs, surveys, and other State Library activities.
[edit] Library Services Section
The Library Services Section is responsible for providing library and information resources for North Carolinians to promote knowledge, education, and business. This function is carried out through the section's five branches and one program:
Digital Information Management Program: The Digital Information Management Program is responsible for implementing policies, standards, and practices that support public access to digital state government information. Staff in the DIMP work closely with all units within the State Library, and staff at the North Carolina State Archives to achieve their goals. The DIMP also provides guidance and education to information creators within state government, and information providers in libraries, schools, and local governments.
Documents Branch: The Documents Branch operates the N.C. State Publications Clearinghouse which receives, catalogs, and distributes state government publications to depository libraries in the state. They also administer the federal depository program to receive and process federal government publications for the State Library's collection.
Information Services Branch: The Information Services Branch provides a comprehensive program of reference service for state and local government agencies, businesses, other libraries, and the general public. This includes: direct circulation services to state employees; research assistance and training for electronic census products as a participant in the State Data Center program; access to federal documents, state documents, genealogical materials, periodicals, newspapers, and North Caroliniana.
Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: The Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped provides library programs and services to citizens of North Carolina who cannot read standard print due to a visual or physical disability. It provides reading materials in alternative formats, as well as specialized playback equipment to over 10,000 citizens with disabilities.
Resource Sharing Branch: The Resource Sharing Branch serves as the information distribution center for the State Library by providing interlibrary loan services to libraries across the state. It also selects, acquires, and makes available audiovisual materials to libraries in North Carolina to meet their own or other local needs and is responsible for maintenance of the State Library's collections.
Technical Services Branch: The Technical Services Branch orders, claims, catalogs, and processes library materials for the State Library's general, reference, genealogy and video collections.
