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State Library seeks inventory, staffing funds as museum cataloguing and accessibility work continues; advocates press for deaf/blind access
Summary
State Library officials told the Appropriations subcommittee the museum collection holds about 44,000 objects with roughly 1,100 on display and asked for funding for inventory and staff; advocates raised concerns about accessibility for deaf and blind patrons and urged the library to use previously funded programs and partners to expand access.
State Library and Museum of Connecticut History representatives told the Appropriations subcommittee that the museum collection contains roughly 44,000 objects and that only about 1,100 are on public display, and they asked for partial funding to complete an inventory and to address staffing gaps needed to preserve and present the collection.
Shonder, a state library representative, summarized the museum’s dual mission: to preserve the state’s documentary and object history and to produce visitor experiences that make the collection accessible. “Only about 1,100 of those are on public display,” Shonder said, adding that many exhibits had not seen a major refresh in two decades, which affects both preservation and visitor experience.
The museum’s staff told legislators that much foundational conservation work is needed before new exhibit scripts or audio/accessible tours are finalized. The library noted an existing partnership with Perkins Access (part of the Perkins School for the Blind), which has provided training for museums and libraries on producing accessible content for patrons with sight and hearing loss.
At the hearing, some legislators and advocates said a previously funded ARPA‑backed program to expand deaf/blind accessibility had been diverted away from direct museum engagement and urged the state library to use those funds or to coordinate more aggressively with local groups. Shonder said the library has partnered with Perkins Access since 2023 to train staff and that the museum has developed braille kits and other materials, but acknowledged the work is ongoing and that some patrons and committee members want faster implementation.
Operational details: the state library said it currently serves about 5,400 patrons in its accessible‑reading service and estimates a broader community of roughly 10,000 potential users; staff reported a recent satisfaction survey in which 96% of responding patrons rated services “excellent or very good,” while acknowledging that not all potential users are represented in surveys. The museum is free to the public and open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; staff said budget limits currently prevent regular weekend hours.
Next steps: library staff asked legislators for funding to complete a museum inventory and to shore up staffing so the unit can preserve objects properly and then develop accessible visitor experiences. Committee members asked for additional detail on the museum staffing plan and on the inventory timeline.
