Collections

The State Library is dedicated to meeting the informational and training needs of Kentucky's state government employees.  Materials in the State Library are selected to support state employees' work and the professional development of Kentucky public library staff.  Members of the general public are encouraged to use their local public libraries. Most items in the State Library are available through interlibrary loan services at local public libraries.

The State Library's collection is particularly strong in the areas of

• Computer software applications
• Business and personnel management
• Employee training
• Government publications
• Health and wellness
• Library and information science
• Kentucky history, geography and biography
• Kentucky literature
• Audiobooks

The State Library's collection has

** The first renewal request for books and audiobooks may be done online through the KDLA Catalog. Renewals are only possible if no one else is waiting for the item.

The State Library collection also contains

• Online Databases
• Digital Audiobooks and Ebooks--State government employees can download digital audiobooks and ebooks in partnership with Kentucky Libraries Unbound. This part of the State Library's collection can be accessed 24/7 using a computer and a valid State Library account number.  Downloaded audiobooks, ebooks and more can be listened to or viewed on a computer or transferred to a portable device.
• Kentucky Files
• Kentucky State Publications
• Newspapers--The State Library has Kentucky State Journal  (Frankfort) on location for patron use. State government employees have access to current issues of major U. S. and Kentucky newspapers (such as the Lexington Herald Leader and Louisville's Courier-Journal) through the online research databases. The following are also available on microfilm and may be viewed at the State Library:

          Courier-Journal  1868 -

          Kentucky State Journal  1910 -

          Lexington Herald Leader  1927-

 

Borrowing Items from the State Library

In order to check out items, state government employees must have a State Library account number.

The KDLA Catalog provides listings and descriptions of most of the library's holdings and is available  from any Internet accessible computer. You can place requests, check on the status of your requests, or renew your books from your office or home computer. The State Library's staff can help you find additional resources if you can't find what you are looking for.

State employees can request book and audiobook titles through the "Request this item" link in the KDLA Catalog. Videos, DVDs and computer training CDs can be requested through the Ask a Librarian service or by calling the State Library at 502.564.8300 ext. 342 or 800.928.7000 ext. 342.

Employees who work in Frankfort may have library items delivered by messenger mail. For employees working outside Frankfort, materials will be mailed to their state offices. Return postage is included.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

The State Library provides interlibrary loan services to state government employees, enabling them to request work-related books, articles, and other information sources from other libraries.

To request items, state government employees should use the Ask a Librarian service. Please provide as much information as possible including the title and author of books; or author, article and journal title, publication dates and page numbers for articles.

The State Library does its best to meet stated deadlines, but it may not always be possible. Articles are typically sent by email. For books, state government employees in Frankfort may have materials delivered by messenger mail. For employees working outside Frankfort, materials will be mailed to their offices. Return postage is included.

The lending library determines how long an item may be kept. On-time return is essential. Items may be returned to the State Library, by messenger mail or UPS.

Overdue Materials

Library users are notified of overdue materials by email or U. S. mail. After an item is 28 days overdue, a Fine & Fee notice is sent for the replacement costs and a $10.00 processing fee per item. Fines are not charged for overdue days and all charges are removed if the materials are returned in good condition. Non-return or nonpayment for unreturned or damaged materials will result in suspension of borrowing privileges.