Tucked away at the end of a hallway in the Massachusetts State House, there’s a place most people have probably never heard about: the State Library.
The library was codified on March 3, 1826. For the past 200 years, its staff have been responsible documenting the lawmaking process and keeping the official copies of the state’s general laws.
The reading room is striking, with high ceilings, huge windows on one wall, and yellow pillars and arches framing a balcony. And there’s shelf after shelf of maroon volumes dating back to 1900.
“So those are all bills that were passed during each session,” legislative reference librarian April Pascucci said on Monday as she proudly showed off the room’s treasures.
The library’s catalog distinguishes it from the Massachusetts Archives out at Columbia Point, which has more objects and personal papers. The State Library is focused on official records and printed materials, including newsletters and meeting minutes.
The stacks also hold all the annual reports published by every Massachusetts town — even those that don’t exist anymore. Pascucci held up one from the town of Prescott, which was disincorporated in 1938 shortly before being flooded to make the Quabbin Reservoir.
“And there’s a little note in there that says, ‘This is the last Prescott report that will be printed,’” Pascucci said as she looked in the report. “And I just think that’s sad, but also a piece of Massachusetts history.”
The library keeps its special collections — going back to the commonwealth’s earliest days — in the basement of the State House.
Another notable holding is a small and thin book: Boston’s first “City Directory” from 1789. Residents’ names are listed alphabetically, with Samuel Adams appearing first.
Perhaps the library’s most rare and treasured document is the original copy of the journal known as the Bradford Manuscript, in which William Bradford recalls the Mayflower voyage and the settling of Plimoth Plantation. That book is hidden away in a secure part of the library, but the librarians plan to display it (behind glass) for a public open house on March 25. Another open house event is happening on March 18.
Librarian Stacy Debole says while the historical treasures are fascinating, this library isn’t just about history. Its mission — making the work of state government available to the public — remains vital to democracy today.
“And that’s why it was codified 200 years ago to ensure an informed electorate,” Debole said.
Also, a lot of the people coming in to see the collection work here in the State House.
“So before they make a new law, they go back and they research why the law is the way it is and why it’s been changed over time,” Debole said. “And this informs their decision making.”
After 200 years, the Massachusetts State Library is still documenting our state government, and making that information available to lawmakers, researchers and the public.
