Connecticut State Library Van Block Facility – Hartford, CT

State Library Storage Facility

Off-Site Collections and Archives

The facility at 75 Van Block Avenue serves as the primary off-site storage location for the Connecticut State Library (CSL). Located in the Sheldon Charter Oak neighborhood, this climate-controlled warehouse is essential for managing the state’s vast collection of historical documents, law reports, and government publications that cannot be accommodated in the main library on Capitol Avenue. It houses the overflow of the State Archives and the federal documents collection, ensuring the long-term preservation of these critical resources. While it is not a browsing library, materials stored here are retrieved daily by staff for use by researchers at the main branch or for distribution through the interlibrary loan network.

Library for Accessible Books (CT LAB)

This location functions as a key logistical hub for the Connecticut Library for Accessible Books (CT LAB). It supports the ‘Talking Books’ program, which provides audio and braille materials to residents with visual, physical, or reading disabilities. Recently, the State Library expanded its services to allow CT LAB patrons to visit the Van Block facility directly to pick up and drop off equipment and reading materials. This direct access provides a convenient alternative to the traditional mail-based service, fostering a stronger connection between the library and the community it serves.

deliverIT CT Hub

The Van Block facility is the operational home base for ‘deliverIT CT,’ the State Library’s statewide delivery service. This vital network transports library materials between public and academic libraries across Connecticut, facilitating resource sharing and ensuring that residents have access to a collective wealth of information regardless of their home town. The logistics team based here manages the sorting and routing of thousands of items daily, serving as the backbone of the state’s collaborative library system.

Access and Visitation Policy

Designated as a ‘limited access facility,’ the Van Block building is not open to the general public for research or browsing. Access is primarily restricted to authorized state agency personnel and library staff. However, specific services, such as the CT LAB equipment exchange, are available to patrons during business hours. Visitors intending to conduct business here are strongly encouraged to contact the facility in advance to ensure staff availability and to verify that their specific needs can be met at this location. The facility maintains security protocols consistent with state government buildings.

Location and Parking

Situated in an industrial and mixed-use area south of downtown Hartford, the facility is easily accessible from Interstate 91. Unlike the congested Capitol area, the Van Block location typically offers easier access for quick stops, with on-site parking available for visitors and state vehicles. The building’s functional design prioritizes the safe loading and unloading of library materials, reflecting its role as a working logistics center rather than a public showroom.