The California Room collects materials on California history with an emphasis on the city of San Jose and the greater Santa Clara Valley.
The California Room collections are non-circulating and may not be removed from the room. Many materials are unique and fragile. Special rules for handling are required for their care and protection.
Monday 1 PM - 6 PM
Tuesday 11 AM - 6 PM
Wednesday 11 AM - 6 PM
Thursday 11 AM - 6 PM
Friday 11 AM - 6 PM
Saturday 1 PM - 6 PM
Sunday Closed
This source indexes materials not found in the library catalog including maps, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, and research collections that pertain to people, places, and events in California, San Jose, and Santa Clara County history. The A-Z index is helpful if you are not sure of spelling. More about the Index
The aerial collection includes aerial and street level photographs from the City of San Jose Planning Division (1931, 1948, 1960, 1968, 1981) from Fairchild Aerial Photography and the U.S. Geological Survey. more details...
San Jose building permits in print, digitized, and on microfilm. more details...
This collection includes city directories for San José, San Francisco, and other cities in print, on microfilm, or online as well as Haines Criss Cross directories and phone books. more details...
This collection includes clipping files, scrapbooks and microfilm of area newspapers including the San Jose Mercury News. more details...
The Historic Photograph Collection includes over 2,500 contact prints, negatives, transparencies, and 35mm slides comprising diverse subjects including schools, churches, businesses, parades, valley views, theaters, street scenes, hotels, the 1906 earthquake, the Winchester House, and residents. more details...
This collection includes yearbooks from high schools, middle schools and universities within Santa Clara County. View a list of all yearbooks available: more details...
Learn more about a San José family that made a remarkable impact on our local history.
Estella Inda
Thursday, February 20, 2020 - 10:00 AM
#PixinParks is back for the 4th year in a row! Explore local hiking spots with the #PixinParks challenge made available by the Santa Clara County Parks department.
Brandy Maldonado
Friday, February 7, 2020 - 3:30 PM
This month we visit Oak Meadow Park in Los Gatos, California
Ralph Pearce
Wednesday, January 29, 2020 - 9:00 AM
