Book excerpt: For the first time, a library history is focused on the way in which libraries of all kinds have developed within a single state. The growth of public libraries, the state library, school libraries, academic libraries, and special libraries are all considered in this one volume. New Jersey's library history stretches back into the mid-18th century with the development of a small book collection by the colonial government. In addition to the local events that shaped the growth of libraries in New Jersey, this history also touches on the strong national trends that were at work, which link New Jersey's development to similar occurrences in other states. Thus, to read the story of libraries in New Jersey is also to begin to understand the growth of libraries throughout the nation. This volume follows an earlier history, A History of New Jersey Libraries, 1750-1996, and continues the New Jersey story forward to today.