New Hampshire State Library

The present New Hampshire State Library, built in 1895 of native granite, is one of the complex of buildings comprising the center of state government in Concord, N.H. Flanked by shrubs, it bears the name of the state in Latin on its facade. Aptly titled, it serves all branches of state government, as well as all citizens of the state. The beginnings of the state library were in 1717, and it is generally considered to be the oldest such institution in the United States. In colonial times, the British government sent its statutory commands in great folios, which were preserved and moved about as the seat of government changed from one place to another. In 1777, Congress passed a resolution recommending "to the several states to order their statute laws, and the additions that may be made thereto, be sent to Congress and to each of the states together with all discoveries and improvements in the arts of war made in such states respectively." This is done today, as in the 18th century.