Blogs: Local History

Browse by Category or Language:

Latest Blogs

National Beer Day

National Beer Day is a holiday that recognizes and celebrates the third most widely consumed alcoholic beverage in the world - BEER!!!

SJ eLibrary
03/31/2023 - 8:03 AM

eSpotlight - Pressbooks for a Family History Album

Use Pressbooks and SJPL history and genealogy resources to tell your story.

SJ eLibrary
03/14/2023 - 12:00 AM

Looking Back: Raccoons and Possums and Skunks, oh my!

Ralph looks at the wildlife that can be found in our San Jose neighborhoods.

Ralph Pearce
02/27/2023 - 9:00 AM

Junk History: Rediscovering San Jose’s 20th Century Businesses

Discover San Jose's past with the California Room's Junk History exhibit. Available through Tue., May 16.

Shane Curtin
02/15/2023 - 3:30 PM

Looking Back: The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men

Ralph's 100th blog post looks back at the storied life of a Santa Clara Valley rancher.

Ralph Pearce
12/22/2022 - 5:30 PM

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 Perspectives on Thanksgiving - Native American Heritage Month

Native Perspectives on Thanksgiving: It's Complicated.

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

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

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

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

#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

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