The New York State Library

The New York State Library has served New Yorkers and State government for over 175 years. It is the principal reference library for State government, serves as a resource library and referral center in the New York State Interlibrary Loan Network, and operates the regional library for the blind and visually handicapped. The collection, which totals over 7.5 million items, is particularly strong in law, medicine, and social sciences, education, history (particularly American and New York State), 19th century American literature, certain pure sciences, technology, and Federal, State and international documents. Its information resources includes books, periodicals, government publications, pamphlets, newspapers, microforms, special media materials for the blind, and access to the Internet and over 1,000 computerized databases. It is the largest state library in the nation, and the only state library member of the Association of Research Libraries.

Called by one writer "a source of pride for Empire Staters," the State Library is both a respository for materials that record and explain New York State history and culture, and a valuable resource for resarchers and writers.

Special thanks to Jean Hargraves and Melinda Yates, Senior Librarians, Reference Services.