California Room - Local History Collection
Welcome to the California Room! 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.
Updates
Hours
| 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 |
Top Collections
School Yearbooks
This collection includes yearbooks from high schools, middle schools and universities within Santa Clara County.
Photographs
The Historic Photograph Collection includes over 2,500 historical images focused on San Jose and Santa Clara County.
Newspapers and Clippings
This collection includes clipping files, scrapbooks and microfilm of area newspapers.
Directories, City of San Jose and Vicinity
City directories for San José, San Francisco, and others in print, on microfilm, or online, Haines Criss Cross directories, and phone books.
School Yearbooks
This collection includes yearbooks from high schools, middle schools and universities within Santa Clara County.
Photographs
The Historic Photograph Collection includes over 2,500 historical images focused on San Jose and Santa Clara County.
Newspapers and Clippings
This collection includes clipping files, scrapbooks and microfilm of area newspapers.
Directories, City of San Jose and Vicinity
City directories for San José, San Francisco, and others in print, on microfilm, or online, Haines Criss Cross directories, and phone books.
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
(1884-2024) Digital access to archived issues; full-page scans include articles, obituaries, classifieds, and other advertising.
Hidden Heritages: San José’s Vietnamese Legacy Exhibit
Explore the latest exhibit, hosted by the California Room, on display until October 26th, 2025.
Historic Media & Text Archive on Internet Archive
Browse our audiovisual and text collection, including documentaries, radio spots, TV news features, local publications, and more.
Latest Blogs
2026: The Year of Edmonia Lewis
The California Room has loaned the marble sculptures of Edmonia Lewis are off for travelling exhibits in 2026.
San Jose Japantown Miniature Model at the California Room
Check out a 3D Printed JTown model on display until October 4th.
Hidden Heritages: Di Sản Người Việt Tại San José
Hãy đến tham quan triển lãm nghệ thuật về di sản người Việt định cư tại San José. Buỗi khai mạc vào 6 Tháng Chín, 4 pm.
Từ Sài Gòn Đến San José
Tóm lược lịch sử người Việt tị nạn tại San José và cuộc triển lãm đặc biệt tại Phòng California, Thư Viện King.
2026: The Year of Edmonia Lewis
The California Room has loaned the marble sculptures of Edmonia Lewis are off for travelling exhibits in 2026.
San Jose Japantown Miniature Model at the California Room
Check out a 3D Printed JTown model on display until October 4th.
Hidden Heritages: Di Sản Người Việt Tại San José
Hãy đến tham quan triển lãm nghệ thuật về di sản người Việt định cư tại San José. Buỗi khai mạc vào 6 Tháng Chín, 4 pm.
Từ Sài Gòn Đến San José
Tóm lược lịch sử người Việt tị nạn tại San José và cuộc triển lãm đặc biệt tại Phòng California, Thư Viện King.
