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Services for State Employees
Borrowing Library Materials and Access to Online Resources
Library Cards
If you are one of the following:
- A California State Employee
- A State Legislative Staff member
- An Appointed State Official or Board Member
- On the Faculty or Staff of UC or CSU
- An Official or Employee of the State Court
you can borrow materials directly from the library. Obtain a State Library borrower card by calling (916) 654-0206. or download our PDF Application Form (using Adobe Acrobat Reader), print both pages, fill them out and return by fax or mail:
FAX: (916) 654-0241
California State Library
Information Resources and Government Publications
PO Box 942837
Sacramento CA 94237-0001
Your library card will be sent to your office address--so be sure to include your department's name, complete mailing address, and office telephone number. Of course, you can still apply for a card in person at the library. For answers to questions about the application form or borrowing policies call (916) 654-0206 between 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, or email cslinfo@library.ca.gov.
Loan Periods
State employees may borrow books and other materials directly from the State Library. The loan period for most books is 5 weeks and for most periodicals, 3 weeks. Some legal materials have 1 week loan periods. Special extended loans are also available for many materials.
If you are not a state employee, you can borrow materials by contacting your local library.
Access to Online Resources
The following state employees may access restricted online resources by using their State Library card and PIN.
- A California State Employee
- A State Legislative Staff member
- An Appointed State Official or Board Member
- An Official or Employee of the State Court
Forget Your PIN or Want To Change It?
Contact Information Resources and Government Publications, (916) 654-0261.
Where to Send Requests and Renewals:
Californiana, genealogy for
California families
California State Library
Attn: California History Section
P.O. Box 942837
Sacramento, CA 94237-0001
cslcal@library.ca.gov
Fax: 916-654-8777
Phone: 916-654-0176
Federal, state, and local documents
Same as above, except
Attn: Information Resources and Government Publications
cslinfo@library.ca.gov
Fax: 916-654-0241
Phone: 916-654-0261
Legal materials
Same as above, except
Attn: Law Library
csllaw@library.ca.gov
Fax: 916-654-2039
Phone: 916-654-0185
Genealogy (except for California)
Sutro Library
480 Winston Drive
San Francisco, CA 94132
sutro@library.ca.gov
Fax: 415-557-9325
Phone: 415-731-4477
All other (and when in doubt)
California State Library
Information Resources and Government Publications
P.O. Box 942837
Sacramento, CA 94237-0001
cslinfo@library.ca.gov
Fax: 916-654-0241
Phone: 916-654-0261
Recalls
Items borrowed on long term loan may be recalled if needed by another user.
Renewals
You may renew circulating materials by contacting the appropriate library section unless another user has placed a reserve on the item. Renewal requests may be made by mail, telephone, fax or Internet. Please request a renewal before material is due to be returned.
Reserves
If you wish to borrow material that is currently charged to another user, you may place a reserve on it. You will be notified when the material has been returned and is available for your use.
Lost Materials
You are responsible for all materials that you borrow. Please notify the library promptly of loss.


