California Room Collections

California Room Collections

The California Room at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library collects materials on California history with emphasis on the history of San José and Santa Clara Valley. Some topics covered are California ethnic groups, Gold Rush, indigenous people, missions, railroads, earthquakes of 1906 and 1989, famous Californians, overland journeys, and Spanish and Mexican California. Books and journals can be found by searching the San José Library Catalog. Please keep in mind that the California Room collection is non-circulating.

Our Digital Collections Database is available 24/7 and allows you to search and view historic images.

Please observe our Use & Handling Rules when visiting the California Room.

Art, Music, Ephemera

Books, Journals, Yearbooks

Books and Journals Collection

This collection contains rare books and journals dating from 1767 to 1910. Some are available in digitized format.

Ernestina Garcia Collection

Organizational materials related to Mexican American political activity in San Jose from the 1960s-1980s.

School Yearbooks

This collection includes yearbooks from high schools, middle schools and universities within Santa Clara County.

Government Records

Maps & Photographs

News & Directories

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.

Newspapers and Clippings

This collection includes clipping files, scrapbooks and microfilm of area newspapers.

Private Organization Records

Los Lupeños de San José Records

Administrative records, correspondence, clippings, ephemera, and photographs related to the Mexican dance and culture performance group.

Silicon Valley Company Archive (1986-1993)

700+ boxes of materials donated by over 600 early Silicon Valley tech companies, documenting the evolution of the Valley’s tech industry.

Willows Reading and Study Club Records

This collection includes membership rosters, agendas, and other materials pertaining to the Willows Reading and Study Club.

Research Collections

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