California State Library

I borrowed books and teaching guides to bring new materials into my classroom. The librarian recommended fantastic resources, and I even discovered free databases I didn’t know about. The quality of the collection was impressive, and the value of these free resources is a huge benefit to educators. The service exceeded my expectations.

As someone new to the country, I went to the library to get help with language-learning materials. The staff guided me to ESL books and online resources, and they even told me about free classes. The quality of the support I received was excellent, and the value of having such resources open to the community cannot be overstated.

I explored the Library and Courts Building in early December of 2017 and '18 and absolutely love the architecture! Completed in 1928 to accommodate the expanding state library, the building combines Neoclassical architecture with early infusions of Art Deco. The building's Memorial Vestibule is decorated with 16 beautiful black and gold Italian marble columns topped with bronze urns. The murals right above them depicting war through the ages are the work of San Francisco artist Frank Van Sloun. The second floor corridors are beautifully decorated with marble drinking fountains and outstanding murals by Maynard Dixon. The magnificent Gillis Hall, located up on the third floor and spanning the entire north side of the building greets visitors with soaring ceilings, gilded classical columns c

Very few people come to visit this building. Go to the 3rd floor to see a very nice room with statues that is opposite a reading room. The public cannot get a library card at this library and none of the older marble water faucets work. However a metal faucet on first floor near the men's room works. A word to the wise. The entry-level first floor area has nice upper murals. Some of the 3rd floor murals in the reading room are seasoned with woke. But that is a sample of today.

So much history, love the architecture. They maintain it very well