Discover Our Collections

All visitors to the public service locations of the California State Library may access our collections, while state government officials and employees with a State Library Card may access a large portion of our collection online.

Braille and Talking Books

Learn about the free services and vast, searchable catalog available to eligible readers through our online directory of services and information about the Braille and Talking Book Library.

Online Catalogs

Find new and historic publications, photos, maps, reading material for eligible users of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and more in our online catalogs.

Online Collections

Virtually visit the California State Library and remotely access our collections of historic photographs, drawings, prints and 3D images, as well as view our online exhibits, including on the California gold rush.

Genealogy

Access third-party genealogy databases, California county genealogy indexes as well as our genealogy research guides and unique files that contain information on people and events in California history.

Sutro Library

Our San Francisco branch holds philanthropist Adoph Sutro's original collection, including publications dating from the 13th century and one of the largest genealogy collections in the United States.

Poster or label advertising the California State Fair, September 4-11, 1926. Shows two cars center with red heart, skyline of the city behind; steamboats, railroad, factories, mountains in the distance.

California History

Find the state's premier collection of documents from and about California's rich history, including thousands of rare books, documents, maps, newspapers, photographs, letters, paintings and more.

Government Publications

Get access to official California governmental publications received by the State Library. Visit the Library to access print publications dating back to 1947, or access our online catalog going back to January 2001.

Law

Access our extensive collection of primary and secondary sources with a focus on California law. Our collection also includes materials relating to federal legislation, and historical and international law.

Videos/Podcasts

Watch and listen to videos and podcasts produced by the staff of California State Library, including interviews with reenactors of historical California figures and readings of our extensive haiku collection.