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Blogs: Local History

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Late librarian Margaret Fitch in front of her famous puppet theater!

Dedication to a Librarian Who Lived and Breathed Library Service: Margaret Fitch

Late librarian Margaret Fitch was a truly dedicated librarian and Friend of the Library who left an indelible mark in her community.

Ila Langner
11/23/2022 - 10:00 PM

Native American books at library setting

Native Perspectives on Thanksgiving - Native American Heritage Month

Native Perspectives on Thanksgiving: It's Complicated.

Lisa Mejia
11/17/2022 - 8:09 AM

Image: A bicycle badge, Victorian trade cards and pins from local businesses. Photo by Ralph Pearce

Looking Back: 100 Years of Garden City Advertising

A new California Room exhibit displays advertising artifacts from 1890-1990.

Ralph Pearce
11/07/2022 - 9:00 AM

Image: Two Filipino American youths pose in front of Pacita Todtod's grocery store in San Jose's Pinoytown. Courtesy of Dorothy Quibelan Collection.

Looking Back: Filipino American History Month

The month of October honors the presence of Filipinos in the United States.

Ralph Pearce
09/22/2022 - 4:30 PM

Image: A neighbor surveys the damage following the explosion in San Jose's "Birdland" neighborhood on June 30, 1972. Photo from the July 1, 1972 issue of the San Jose Mercury News.

Looking Back: The Day My Neighbor's House Blew Up!

Ralph recalls an explosion that shook his neighborhood fifty years ago.

Ralph Pearce
07/25/2022 - 9:00 AM

Almaden Quicksilver

#PixinParks 2022 Almaden Quicksilver

Join SJPL Librarian, Brandy for an inside look into the Santa Clara County Park challenge #PixinParks.

Brandy Maldonado
07/18/2022 - 7:00 AM

SJ Story Map

SJ Story Map

The San José Story Map uses the power of stories to map San José in a new and different light.

SJWrites
07/09/2022 - 5:00 PM

Images from left: Ralph before the trip, having just returned, and in the Pittsburgh bus station.

Looking Back: A California Boy's Search for America (Part 3)

The third and final part of Ralph's 1978 journey across the U.S.

Ralph Pearce
06/20/2022 - 9:00 AM

Sanborn County Park, Saratoga to the Skyline Trail ©Brandy Maldonado

#PixinParks 2022 Sanborn County Park

Join SJPL Librarian, Brandy for an inside look into the Santa Clara County Park challenge #PixinParks.

Brandy Maldonado
06/13/2022 - 7:00 AM

Image: City of El Paso skyline in 2007. Photo in the public domain

Looking Back: A California Boy's Search for America (Part 2)

Ralph's 1978 journey continues from Gettysburg to El Paso, Texas.

Ralph Pearce
05/23/2022 - 9:00 AM

Image: Ralph puts on some travelling gear prior to his trip. Photo by Joyce Pearce

Looking Back: A California Boy's Search for America (Part 1)

Ralph looks back at his 1978 hitchhiking trip across the U.S.

Ralph Pearce
04/25/2022 - 9:00 AM

Image of Art Rodriguez working at his business #1 Disposal. Courtesy of Rodriguez Family.

Eastside Revelations - Art Rodriguez

The California Room is spotlighting East Side with a series of blogs featuring individuals, businesses, and community organizations with ties to the East Side.

Estella Inda
04/22/2022 - 2:27 PM