Directories
Useful for a variety of purposes from determining historic business information to tracking an ancestor, most of our directories are not online. However, we do list what directories we have in our various databases.
City and County Directories
The State Library’s collection of city and county directories covers every county in California. Filled with useful information about city or county residents and businesses, these books frequently allow you to search either by resident name or by street address and provide useful occupation and property ownership data. Although most of these volumes are not online our City and County Directories Database lets you determine if we have the specific city directory you need.
Phone Books
Phone books generally have less personal information than city or county directories, nevertheless these resources provide an invaluable record city business and residential information. Though most of these volumes are not online, the State Library’s collection covers every California County. Our Telephone Directory Database lets you determine if we have the specific city directory you need.
Who’s Who Books
With titles covering everything from 1930’s child movie stars to 1990’s Chicanx officeholders, the State Library’s collection of “Who’s Who” books provide short biographies of individuals prominent in their field. They are generally not online, but a list of what books we have is available in the catalog.
Business Directories
Whether specific to women, the music industry or Milpitas Chamber of Commerce membership, the State Library’s historic business directories provide unique snap-shots in time of California’s economic development. As they are not formal city or county directories, they are listed in the State Library’s main catalog.
The California State Library is happy to offer advice on conducting research using directories, but we lack the staff resources to provide private directory research services. If you are working remotely, we would be delighted to help you access materials through inter-library loan or to provide a list of private researchers. Please feel free to ask us a question or visit the library.