Our History
The NH State Library is the oldest state library in the nation
Currently part of the NH Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the N.H. State Library promotes excellence in libraries and library services to all New Hampshire residents by assisting libraries and the people of New Hampshire with rapid access to library and informational resources through the development and coordination of a statewide library/information system; by meeting the informational needs of New Hampshire’s state, county and municipal governments and its libraries; and by serving as a resource for New Hampshire.
The present state library building was built in 1895 of native granite. It is part of the complex of buildings that make up the center of State government in Concord, NH. Flanked by lilac shrubs, the building bears the name of the state in Latin on its facade. Aptly titled, it serves all branches of State government as well as all residents of and visitors to the state.
To date, twenty-four different people have served as New Hampshire State Librarian. The position is appointed by the Governor and the authority and responsibilities of the State Librarian are defined in RSA 201-A.
In January 1717, New Hampshire’s 27th General Assembly met in Portsmouth, passing several orders and resolves. On the 25th of that month, it declared that:
“Law books be distributed among ye severall towns of this Province in proportion according to their last Prov : tax, except two books wch shall be for ye Govr & Councill & house of representatives.”
Those books were the beginning of the New Hampshire State Library.
