What is the Missouri State Library?

The Missouri State Library is a division of the Secretary of State's Office. The State Library currently provides direct library and information reference service in support of the employees of Missouri state government, promotes the development of library services throughout the state, and strives to ensure all Missourians have equal access to library services. 

The Missouri Libraries Historical Collection is a special collection with the objective of making historical materials relating to Missouri libraries and library development accessible on site at the Missouri State Library. This collection includes reports, monographs, periodicals, surveys, studies, and ephemera authored by the State Library, about the State Library, and about library development in the state of Missouri. View the collection in our catalog.

Contact Reference Services for assistance in finding information about when your library was founded, historic building pictures, early library staff, circulation statistics, and more.

Visit the Missouri Public Library Hall of Fame for more information on specific library staff and for history of other library organizations in MIssouri.