The State Library of Massachusetts was established in 1826 with a collection of maps, statute books and government documents. The library's unofficial roots, however, go back to 1811. That year, a document exchange program with other states was begun, initiating a flow of documents that would form the basis of the new library.
By 1826, so much material had accumulated in the halls and chambers of the Bulfinch State House (interactive site) that the Legislature had to act. It gave State Land Agent John W. Coffin the additional responsibilities of State Librarian and established the State Library under the governance of an annually appointed legislative committee. It also appropriated an annual budget to procure future materials.
An important milestone in the library's collection came in 1844, when the Legislature voted to exchange judicial decisions with other states. Since then, Reports of Decisions of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts and other significant state documents have been exchanged on a regular basis with participating states.
Also by the 1840's, the library collection had outgrown the space available in the Land Agent's office, and the library needed a long-term solution to its overcrowded conditions. In 1851 the Legislature voted to build an addition to the north of the Bulfinch State House (text-based site). Constructed between 1853 and 1856, this addition provided larger accommodations for the library.
The addition also signaled a change in library management. Formerly, a joint standing committee appointed annually by the Legislature oversaw management. In 1850, the Legislature provided for a Board of Trustees, composed of three members appointed by the governor for a term of three years with reappointment allowed. The Governor made appointments with the approval of the Council. By 1893, the library had become a separate department directly under the Governor and Council.
Even more important than the establishment of a Board of Trustees was the decision to shift the responsibilities of State Librarian from the office of the Land Agent to the Secretary of the Board of Education. One early State Librarian, Caleb Tillinghast, who served from 1879 to 1909, proved to have a lasting impact on the library's collections and services. Tillinghast began collecting and compiling historical materials relating to state government. He also compiled an extensive file of biographical information on state legislators, which has been updated by library staff ever since. In the 1870's, library staff began compiling an index to Boston, Springfield, Worcester and New York newspapers. Known as the Zimmer Index, it provides unique access to names and events from the 1870's through the 1930's.
It was during Tillinghast's tenure, with the extension of the State House north of Mt. Vernon Street in 1895, that the State Library moved to its present location on the third and fourth floors at the rear of this extension. Later, during the addition of the East and West Wings of the State House, the library also acquired space in the basement of the West Wing.
In 1960, the library was named the George Fingold Library under Chapter 380, Acts of 1960. George Fingold was the Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1953 to 1958. Fingold received the nomination for Governor in 1958, and died of a heart attack on August 31, 1958.
The last forty years has brought many milestones to the State Library in terms of services and collections. Computers were introduced in the library in the 1970s. A new card catalog, based on the Library of Congress classification system, simplified cataloging procedures and brought improved user access to the library's collections. During this time the library also added to its microfilm holdings of periodicals, increasing the range of titles in its collections.
Also during the 1970s, many special or rare works acquired since the founding of the library were gathered into a Special Collections department. These works represent a priceless artistic and historical collection. Perhaps the single most valuable item in Special Collections is William Bradford's manuscript history of Plymouth Colony from its founding to 1649. The Special Collections department also traces the history of the State House, with plans, photographs and documents highlighting the many changes in the physical structure of the building. These materials, combined with legislators' papers, local history monographs, maps, atlases, visual materials, and newspapers and periodicals, provide a comprehensive account of the historical and political life of the Commonwealth.
In the mid-1980's, the purchase of desktop computers gave staff access to electronic databases. Additionally, in 1984, the Legislature made the Library the official depository of all documents published by state agencies. With this legislation, citizen access to these documents is ensured.
In the mid-1990's, the library provided its users with electronic access to records for selected parts of the collection through a new online public access catalog. Access to online databases and to internet resources have also become regular parts of the Library's services to its users.
In its long history, the State Library has continuously collected materials that reflect Massachusetts' government, culture and history, and continues to maintain the most comprehensive collection of Massachusetts state publications in existence. Its collection has been carefully and thoughtfully gathered for over 175 years, and it forms a tremendous resource for all areas of Massachusetts' research. |
