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The State Library’s collection serves to supplement Louisiana public libraries’ collections as well as to meet the research needs of state government employees. It includes books, magazines, newspapers, government publications, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, microform, online databases in addition to materials for people who are blind or physically handicapped. The material covers a broad spectrum of subject matter with an emphasis on Louisiana-related information and authors.
Use the links on the right-hand side of this page to see more information about specific sections of the Library’s collection.
Adult Literacy Resources
The State Library of Louisiana has developed a collection of materials to help adults learning to read as well as those who are teaching adult new readers.
The Adult Literacy guide lists materials suitable for teachers of adult new literates or English as a second language. All materials are available at the State Library and are available through interlibrary loan.
http://slol.libguides.com/AdultLiteracy
There are two Basic Reads LibGuides. Basic Reads are designed for adult new readers but they can be enjoyed by others just looking for a quick read, an overview of a classic, reluctant teen readers, or ESL students. These books are written on a variety of levels so you can be sure to find one to meet your needs. They are all high interest. The nonfiction list has tabs with the books arranged in broad subject categories.
The lists are separated into fiction and non-fiction.
Fiction: http://slol.libguides.com/brfic
Nonfiction: http://slol.libguides.com/BasicReadsNonFiction
All materials are listed in the library catalog. All materials may be requested via Interlibrary Loan for borrowers without State Library Borrowers Cards.
Audiovisual materials are located on the first floor of the library. The collection includes videocassettes, DVDs, unabridged audiobooks on cassette and compact disc, foreign language study programs on cassette and CD and recorded music on CD.
The video collection includes all subject areas with a strong emphasis on Louisiana-related items. The audiobook collection focuses on popular fiction and classic literature but also includes a variety of non-fiction titles. The recorded music collection is eclectic and features historically important musicians, composers and genres. Emphasis is placed on Louisiana artists in all musical genres.
All audiovisual materials are listed in the library’s online catalog.
Big Books
Big books are lightweight, softbound books that measure 16” x 20” or larger. They are colorfully illustrated, the print is large and they are designed for use in a group setting. Whether the audience is children or seniors, the books can be held up or placed on an easel so that the group can view the contents as the leader reads the story. Big books are great for story time or classroom use as well as for the individual reader who simply needs larger print and pictures to read a story.
Big books are listed in the Library’s online catalog . You can view titles by searching in 2 ways: 1) Subject heading begins with: “Big Books” and 2) Call number begins with: BB.
Big books can be checked out for 28 days and are able to be renewed twice pending no prior requests.
These are accessible to Talking Books and Braille Library users and are also available for check out to eligible users of the State Library. If you are not in one of these groups, you can interlibrary loan them through your local public library using Loanshark.
Die-Cut Templates
This collection of approximately 500 die-cut boards was given to the State Library by the Northeast Texas Library System. To make best use of the templates, you will need an Ellison or Accu-Cut die-cutting machine. To obtain the die-cut number and name, search the online catalog below.
Each die cut template is available through the interlibrary loan program at your local public library. Please request the template by Die-Cut Number and name (e.g.DC97306, Large Apple).
Electronic Resources
Established in 1998, the Louisiana Library Connection Databases are a collection of online subscription databases that are provided to the people of Louisiana by the State Library. The databases are chosen to cover the widest range of informational needs, providing educational and research materials for the elementary, high school and college student well into the undergraduate and graduate levels. The databases also include many prestigious academic journals for the research professional. Crucial and strategic information is likewise included for the small business owner and the consumer.
The vast majority of these databases are available for remote use and the user can login in from anywhere. These databases are provided free of charge to all library users in the state of Louisiana. All that is required for access is a current public or state library card.
These databases allow you to connect from home, work or within any Louisiana public library. While these databases are accessible from the Internet, the information contained within them is collected and maintained by respected companies, therefore the quality and accuracy of the information is very high. The Louisiana Library Connection Databases are the first stop for the discriminating information consumer. You should always use these databases as a first resort while doing any research before attempting a search on the Internet.
This service is a cooperative effort funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Service, and state and local funding.
The State Library is a selective depository of federal government documents distributed through the Government Printing Office under the depository program. The librarians of the Reference Section review the list of titles received by the State Library on a regular basis to add or delete titles.
The federal documents collection is based on requirements stated in Legal Requirements & Program Regulations of the Federal Depository Library Program.
The federal documents collection includes:
The State Library collection includes a selection of foreign language materials that encompass major literary works, fiction, folktales and vocational/technical works. The collection also includes study materials for learning English and passing the examination for U.S. citizenship. Titles are selected from publishers’ catalogs and major trade bibliographies.
If you would like a particular item that is not currently in the State Library collection, you have two options. You may request the item through the interlibrary loan program or you may request that the Library purchase the item. The Library considers all requested titles for purchase.
Genealogy
The State Library’s comprehensive collection of Louisiana materials includes genealogical resources, including:
The materials in the Louisiana collection are located on the fifth floor of the Library.
Online Resources:
Searching For Your Louisiana Ancestors on Microfilm
This guide for finding genealogical materials is located in the Louisiana collection.
To find genealogical materials for a Louisiana parish in the online catalog, do the following:
General Collection
The materials in the general collection are located on the third and fourth floors of the Library. This collection is designed to serve the needs of state government and to supplement the holdings of the state’s public, school, institutional and special libraries in support of the informational and recreational needs of Louisiana residents.
The general collection covers the broadest spectrum of subject matter and strives to represent the best authorities in all fields and to present a balance of differing points of view on controversial issues. While books comprise the majority of the collection, magazines, newspapers, federal government publications, microform and electronic resources are also included.
All materials in the general collection are listed in the library’s online catalog and most may be borrowed.
Special materials in the general collection include:
The general collection does not include:
Journals and Newspapers
The Library maintains paper subscriptions to a number of popular magazines and scholarly journals in a wide variety of subject areas. Many of these are on display in the Serials Reading Room on the first floor, where visitors will also find these national newspapers: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Barron’s and the Sunday edition of The Washington Post.
You may find electronic versions of many other newspapers and journals in the Louisiana Library Connection Databases
Large Print Books
Large print books are printed in 14 point font or larger type. The font is usually dark and plain, making it easier to read. Often large print books are designed to be lightweight and easy to hold. The large print book collection at the State Library contains many works of popular fiction, such as mysteries, westerns, romance and classics. It also contains nonfiction subjects such as biographies, medicine, health, cookbooks, current affairs, hobbies and other topics. This collection offers books for readers of all ages including children and teens.
Large print books check out for 30 days. Up to four large print books may be checked out at a time. Large print books are located on the fourth floor.
In addition to being accessible to Services for the Talking Books and Braille Library users, large print books are also available for check out to eligible users of the State Library.
More information about Talking Books and Braille Library
Louisiana Collection
The materials in the Louisiana Collection are located on the fifth floor of the library. This is a research collection related to all aspects of the State of Louisiana. Current information in the areas of law, study guides and travel are included with other materials that record the history and culture of Louisiana. Although the emphasis is on print format, microform and electronic materials are included.
Most of the material in the Louisiana collection is listed in the library’s online catalog. Louisiana-related audiovisual materials are housed in the State Library’s audiovisual collection.
Special materials in the Louisiana collection include:
Criteria for selection include:
Louisiana State Documents Digital Archive
Louisiana specific publications
Louisiana Public Document Depository Program
Louisiana law requires that state agencies submit copies of their publications to the Recorder of Documents, located within the State Library, for distribution to depository libraries throughout the state via the Louisiana Public Document Depository Program (PDDP). Libraries participating in the depository program include Louisiana academic, public, and special libraries and the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. For more information concerning Louisiana public documents and the depository program, please visit the links below.
State Library Catalog
Browse the State Library's online catalog for the bibliographic records of Louisiana public documents issued by the depository program.
Louisiana Public Documents Digital Archive
Public documents in digital format are preserved in the Louisiana Digital Library.
Louisiana Public Document Depository Libraries by City
List of Louisiana depository libraries organized alphabetically by city.
Core Collection List
All Louisiana depositories receive these essential publications in either tangible or digital form. This list is periodically updated.
Depository Library Information and Resources
Includes monthly shipping lists, shipment charts, the Handbook for Depository Libraries, the Louisiana Public Document Classification Manual, and more.
State Agency Information and Resources
Contains information for officials and other personnel with Louisiana state agencies and public institutions regarding their role as contributors to the depository program, including the Handbook for Agency Liaison Officers.
Contact Information: Recorder of Documents Office, docs@state.lib.la.us or (225) 342-4929.
Louisiana Gumbo
Louisiana Gumbo is a digital collection of historic Louisiana photographs.
The State Library has an extensive collection of Louisiana-related photographs, predominantly black and white image from the 1920’s to the 1970’s. There is a strong emphasis on photographs of notable Louisiana personalities: governors, artists, authors and musicians. Historic buildings and other architectural gems, such as plantations, schools and churches are included. The recreational aspects of The Sportsman’s Paradise are emphasized with images of hunting, fishing and camping. This digital collection provides a unique look into the history and culture of Louisiana and is available to students, researchers and the general public.
An important aspect of the collection is the inclusion of images taken by photographers during the Works Progress Administration (WPA). From 1935-1943, the WPA built many public buildings and roads. Almost every American community has a park, bridge or facility constructed by the WPA. The program promoted literacy, training, health and education improvement projects as well as programs for art and music. The collection provides more than 5,000 photographs documenting these activities in Louisiana.
In addition, the Louisiana Writers Project compiled collections of folklore, legends, recipes, local history and interviews of local citizens and former slaves. Transcriptions of newspaper articles dating to 1815 provide insights into the culture and history of Louisiana. This digitized text material is available for the first time to a broad audience and enhances research into the state’s history.
This digital collection is a part of a larger project entitled Louisiana Gumbo: A Recipe for Empowerment, which was funded through an Institute of Museum and Library Services National Leadership Grant (IMLS). The project is part of an ongoing effort to provide digital resources for K-12 students and teachers, as well as researchers and the general public.
Online Catalog
Use the State Library’s online catalog to find material by title, author, subject and more.
Reference Collection
Function and Mission:
Reference librarians respond to questions and assist the public using the State Library's collections of books, federal documents and databases. The Library provides assistance by telephone, in person, by e-mail, and by regular mail.
Reference librarians select materials for the general collection and items for the federal documents depository. These librarians also train state employees in the use of the Library's electronic resources and conducts workshops on reference work for public library staff.
The Reference Section offers the following resources:
Publications:
Books About Library Science
The Reference Staff have created a LibGuide with books of interest to librarians and library staff. It is a highly selective list, and includes recent materials. There are pages in the guide which list materials available by subject as well as lists of recent acquisitions. There are links to each item in the catalog and materials on the list are available through interlibrary loan.
