California State Library Sections & Organizational Chart
Below is information on the bureaus and sections of the California State Library that provide services to state employees and the public. To see the entire structure of the State Library, please see our organization chart.
Braille and Talking Book Library
The California State Library’s Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL) is a free service which cooperates with the Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) to serve residents of Northern California who are unable to read conventional print due to a visual, physical, or organic reading disability (such as dyslexia). Talking (audio) and braille books and magazines, downloadable books and magazines via desktop or mobile app, descriptive videos, and audio playback equipment are available for loan to eligible patrons. The BTBL collection of recreational fiction and nonfiction materials reflects a public library’s collection intended for Northern Californians with print disabilities. In addition to circulating braille and audio items via mail and online, BTBL provides reader advisors and reference services by phone at (916) 654–0640 or by email at btbl@library.ca.gov.
California History Room
The California History Room’s collections document the state’s significant and complex past, providing an expansive view of California through photographs, maps, manuscripts, diaries, newspapers, periodicals, sheet music, post cards, microforms, posters, pamphlets, programs, and other materials. Contact the California History Staff via our reference service Ask A Librarian, via email cslcal@library.ca.gov, or by telephone at (916) 654-0176 Monday through Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Visitors are welcome Tuesday through Thursday 9:30 am – 4:00 pm. Some materials require advance notice to view; please see our appointment page for more information.
California Research Bureau
The mission of the California Research Bureau is to provide nonpartisan and confidential public policy research for the Governor’s Office and the State Legislature and to advance equitable access via statewide initiatives, including CRB Nexus and the California Homeless Youth Project. Office hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Please call us at (916) 603-7217, or email us at crb@library.ca.gov.
Communications Section
The California State Library’s Communications Section responds to media inquiries and disseminates news and information on the library’s social media sites and press releases. The section also manages the library’s public events. For media inquiries and requests for public records, please contact the Communications Team at press@library.ca.gov or (916) 603-7177.
Digital Concierge Program
The California State Library’s Digital Concierge Program is a content-creation, digitization, and digital preservation center dedicated to preserving and sharing the collections hidden throughout California state government. Digital Concierge collaborates with state departments to identify and showcase the most culturally significant, sought-after or at-risk parts of their collections and records, in addition to the collections held by the California State Library.
Government Publications Section
The Government Publications Section provides the public with free and open access to government information, providing a single primary location for government documents and information assistance. We are the regional depository of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) in California and a full depository for California state government publications distributed under the Library Distribution Act. Our Patent and Trademark Resource Center librarians offer patent search training and information from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Contact the Government Publications Section Staff via our reference service Ask A Librarian, via email cslgps@library.ca.gov, or by telephone at (916) 323-9845 Monday through Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Visit us in Gillis Hall Monday through Friday, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm. Gillis is open to walk-ins, but you can also reserve your space in advance; please see our appointment page for more information.
Human Resource Services
The California State Library’s Human Resources Services Office (HRSO) provides full-service human resources services for employees and management including consultation in the areas of recruitment, pay and benefits, employee training and development, health and safety, and labor relations. The HRSO also assists individuals interested in fulfilling career opportunities at the California State Library. For more information on internships, volunteer, and career opportunities, visit our Jobs page.
Information Services Section
The Information Services Section provides books and other materials on a wide variety of topics of interest to both state government employees and the general public. Reference and bibliographic materials in all subject fields except Californiana and the law are available here. Contact the Information Services Section Staff via our reference service Ask A Librarian, via email cslinfo@library.ca.gov, or by telephone at (916) 323–9843 Monday through Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Visit us in Gillis Hall Monday through Friday, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm. Gillis is open to walk-ins, but you can also reserve your space in advance; please see our appointment page for more information.
Library Development Services Bureau
The Library Development Services (LDS) Bureau administers state and federal grant funds to libraries, universities, cities, counties, non-profit organizations, and other grantees; provides training, technical assistance, and consulting services to public libraries and associated groups and organizations; collects and shares library data; develops statewide library programs and initiatives; and supports collaboration, resource-sharing, innovation, and the delivery of core library services. The Bureau’s work strengthens libraries in California and increases Californians’ access to information and resources. Contact Library Development Services Staff at (916) 603-7212 or at csllds@library.ca.gov.
State Librarian’s Office
The Office of the State Librarian handles inquiries about and correspondence to State Librarian Greg Lucas. The office is located in Room 200 of the Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building at 914 Capitol Mall in Sacramento. Contact the State Librarian’s Office at (916) 323-9759 or csl-adm@library.ca.gov
State Library Services Bureau
The State Library Services Bureau is the “operations side” of the California State Library and administers the Braille and Talking Book Library, California History Section, Information Services, Government Publications Section, Witkin State Law Library, and Sutro Library (in San Francisco). The bureau is also responsible for the acquisition, cataloging, maintenance, and preservation of the State Library’s collections.
Sutro Library
The Sutro Library acquires, preserves, and makes accessible rare and unique resources for scholarship and education of students, faculty, and independent researchers. With over 90,000 volumes of rare books and 100,000 pamphlets, broadsides, photographs and maps, visitors will find information relevant to all academic disciplines. The Sutro Library also holds one of the largest genealogy collections west of Salt Lake City, allowing patrons to explore their family history and local genealogy. Contact the Sutro Library Staff via our reference service Ask A Librarian, via email sutro@library.ca.gov, or by telephone at (415) 469-6100 Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Visit us Tuesday through Thursday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Some materials require advance notice to view; please see our appointment page for more information.
Witkin State Law Library
The Witkin State Law Library offers an extensive collection of primary and secondary legal sources with a focus on California law. Primary sources from California’s beginnings aid the Legislature and state agencies in tracing legislative or regulatory histories, and practice guides and court briefs aid lawyers and those proceeding pro se. Our rare and frequently consulted collections include virtually all California legislation dating back to 1867, superseded California Codes, and the California Code of Regulations Supplement and Notice Register. Extending beyond California, we have materials relating to other states, federal legislation, and even historical and international law. Contact the Law Library Staff via our reference service Ask A Librarian, via email csllaw@library.ca.gov, or by telephone at (916) 323-9839 Monday through Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Visit us in Gillis Hall Monday through Friday, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm. Gillis is open to walk-ins, but you can also reserve your space in advance; please see our appointment page for more information.