Tours of the Historic State Library Building

Welcome to the California State Library in the historic Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building.

The State Library, older than the state itself, began with several books donated on December 22, 1849 by Colonel J.D. Stevenson. Colonel Stevenson presented the books to the State Legislature in San José to establish a state library. California was admitted to the Union on September 9, 1850, becoming the 31st state in the nation.

The State Library’s location changed several times before it found a permanent home in the Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building, which was completed in 1928. Recent renovations of the building have brought it back to its original splendor.

Tours

Self-guided Tours

Please enjoy our brochure, which provides a history of the Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building and its architectural features (PDF).

Virtual Tours

Check out the Historic Library and Courts Building: An Architectural Treasure, which focuses on historical photographs and contemporary images of the library and its architectural features.

Docent-led Tours

Although the State Library is not conducting tours at this time, you can now go on a self-guided tour. Please stop by Gillis Hall (on the third floor) to get a Self-guided Tour brochure or print out the tour guide below.