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 photographs from the City of San Jose Planning Division, 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. 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...
Ralph recalls trying to earn money during Christmas Vacation 1969.
Ralph Pearce
12/27/2021 - 9:00 AM
Join SJPL's California Room for its upcoming exhibit. It will examine San José’s East Side from the 1950s through the 1980s.
Estella Inda
12/03/2021 - 4:30 PM
The California Room is putting the spotlight on the East Side with a series of blogs featuring individuals, businesses, and community organizations with ties to the East Side.
Estella Inda
11/24/2021 - 6:20 AM
