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 not be removed from the room. Many materials are unique and fragile. Special rules for handling are required for their preservation.
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.
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.
New & Featured Resources
Newsbank: San José Mercury News Historical Archive
(1900-1985) Digital access to archived issues; full-page scans include articles, obituaries, classifieds, and other advertising.
Current Exhibit: King Library 20th Anniversary
This exhibit tells the story of the library through it's many transformations and tribulations. On display through August 26, 2023
Historic Media Archive
Browse our audiovisual collection, including documentaries, radio spots, TV news features, and more.
Research Guides & Resources
Latest Blogs
Looking Back: Filipino Americans in Santa Clara Valley
Ralph explores the history of local Filipino Americans.
Pinoytown Rising: Filipino Americans in Santa Clara Valley
Available Sept 8 – Nov 30, this is an exhibit on Filipino Americans in San José and the Santa Clara Valley.
Looking Back: Raccoons and Possums and Skunks, oh my!
Ralph looks at the wildlife that can be found in our San Jose neighborhoods.
Junk History: Discovering San Jose’s 20th Century Businesses
Discover San Jose's past with the California Room's Junk History exhibit. Available through Tue., May 16.
