California State Library

California State Library
California State Library
Map
38°34′35″N 121°29′46″W / 38.5762942°N 121.4960664°W / 38.5762942; -121.4960664[1]
LocationSacramento, California
TypeGovernment
Established1850; 174 years ago (1850)
Collection
SizeOver 5 million items
Other information
DirectorGreg Lucas, State Librarian
Websitelibrary.ca.gov

The California State Library is the state library of the State of California, founded in 1850 by the California State Legislature.[2] The Library collects, preserves, generates and disseminates a wide array of information. Today, it is the central reference and research library for state government and the Legislature.[3] The California State Library advises, consults with and provides technical assistance to California's public libraries. It directs state and federal funds to support local public libraries and statewide library programs, including Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grants.[4] The California State Library's mission is to serve as "...the state’s information hub, preserving California’s cultural heritage and connecting people, libraries and government to the resources and tools they need to succeed and to build a strong California."[5] With the exception of the Sutro Library[6] in the J. Paul Leonard Library at San Francisco State University, the other two branches are located in Sacramento, California, at 914 Capitol Mall and 900 N Street. A third branch, located in the California State Capitol, closed in 2020 in preparation for the demolition of the Annex and is expected to return when the new building is completed.

  1. ^ "California State Library". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. 1 April 1999. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  2. ^ Lockhart (2001) California State Library: Changing and Expanding Sites. California State Library Foundation Bulletin, No. 69
  3. ^ "Napa County Reporter 2 January 1864 — California Digital Newspaper Collection". cdnc.ucr.edu. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  4. ^ "Grants - California State Library". www.library.ca.gov. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  5. ^ "California State Library Strategic Plan" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-13. Retrieved 2013-06-17.
  6. ^ Sutro Library Archived 2016-06-28 at the Wayback Machine houses Adolph Sutro's rare book collection Archived 2008-01-18 at the Wayback Machine, as well as local history and genealogical resources