California Room - Local History Collection
The California Room collects materials on California history with an emphasis on San Jose and Santa Clara Valley. Our collections are non-circulating and may be visited at the King Library.
New Hours Starting Aug. 26
As part of the City of San José’s 2026-2027 Adopted Operating Budget, the California Room will transition to a new operating model.
Beginning Wednesday, August 26, public access hours will change from 38 hours per week to 16 hours per week. The new California Room hours will be:
Monday: By Appointment
Tuesday: By Appointment
Wednesday & Thursday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Friday: By Appointment
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
To maximize availability of the materials and resources available through the California Room, members of the public may request a research appointment with library staff via webform to support their research needs on a first-come, first-served basis as staffing capacity allows.
California Room Appointments
California Room Update
Looking Back: Filipino American History Month
A New Era for Women’s Hockey in San Jose
San Antonio: From Street to Paseo
California Room Update
Looking Back: Filipino American History Month
A New Era for Women’s Hockey in San Jose
San Antonio: From Street to Paseo
Top Collections
School Yearbooks
Photographs
Newspapers and Clippings
Directories, City of San Jose and Vicinity
Bay Area Comics and Comix Exhibition
One Book, One Coast
San Antonio: From Street to Paseo
Black History Month Walking Tour and Sites of Significance
Bay Area Comics and Comix Exhibition
One Book, One Coast
San Antonio: From Street to Paseo
Black History Month Walking Tour and Sites of Significance
California Room Index
The California Room Index contains citations that are not found in the Library Catalog, opens a new window, including Maps, Newspaper Clipping Files, Primary Resources, Scrapbooks, Vault Items and more!
For assistance with the California Room Index, visit us in-person at the California Room or give us a call 408-808-2167.
New & Featured Resources
Newsbank: San José Mercury Historical & Current Collection
Historic Media & Text Archive on Internet Archive
