The California State Library holds an expansive collection of 4 million books , old newspapers , historic maps and artwork .
At the California State Library , the Pleasures and Treasures Are Yours
Six million items are available for viewing
BY Ed Goldman PHOTOS BY Fred Greaves
PLAN YOUR VISIT
“ Booked up ” is a pretty apt descriptor for the California State Library . It ’ s also mapped , newspapered , postered and documented up . In fact , there are approximately 6 million items in its inventory . Four million of those are books , and nearly 2,000 of those are law books .
If you love nature , the library will make you a birder in paradise with its exquisite collection of 435 hand-colored aquatint engravings based on the original watercolors of John James Audubon . What makes “ The Birds of America ” especially jaw-dropping is that both fowl and flora are life-sized renderings .
“ Every day I come to work is like going to heaven ,” says Jessica Knox-Jensen , chief of the State Library Services Bureau , on a recent private tour of the massive facility at 9th and N streets in downtown Sacramento . The library has two buildings at that location , connected by a tunnel that runs under bustling N Street . But it ’ s not for the workers ’ protection . “ We don ’ t want any books or artifacts to get wet ,” she says , adding with a grin , “ We really don ’ t care if we do .” Knox-Jensen , who ’ s been at the state library for more than four years , worked at the state archives for a decade . She holds two master ’ s degrees — one of which , from San Jose State , is in library information services .
While many of the institution ’ s treasures are remarkably accessible , you should make an appointment to visit ( see the sidebar ).
“ COVID closed us up pretty tightly ,” says Alex Vassar , the library ’ s affable communications manager who , after some years spent working as a legislative staffer , calls his current post “ my all-time dream job .” An admitted policy wonk ,
- While the California State Library has been semi-closed due to the pandemic , you can book an appointment to visit in person by phone at ( 916 ) 323-9843 or go online to libraryca . libcal . com .
- In addition to downtown Sacramento , the state library has a branch in San Francisco : the Sutro Library , located on the 5th and 6th floors of the J . Paul Leonard Library at San Francisco State University . It contains more than 90,000 rare books — as well as one of the largest genealogy collections west of Salt Lake City .
- Along with serious researchers and history buffs , the library regularly sees attorneys and paralegals make use of its extensive lawbook " stacks " ( collection ).
92 comstocksmag . com | April 2022