Founded in 1850, this is the California State Library. Founded in 1850 by the California State Legislature, this is the state library of California — the central reference and research library for the state government and legislature. Inside and through its branches it collects, preserves, generates and disseminates a wide array of information, and it makes a wide range of services available to Californians. The library provides reference services to visitors here, and to those contacting the California State Library from afar.
Beyond reference, it advises, consults with and provides technical assistance to California's public libraries, and it directs state and federal funds to support local public libraries and statewide library programs, including Institute of Museum and Library Services grants. In Sacramento two of its branches are nearby at 914 Capitol Mall and 900 N Street. A third branch that sat in the California State Capitol closed in 2020 in preparation for the demolition of the Annex and is expected to return when the new building is completed. The Sutro Library lives in the San Francisco State University library building.
Notice the Capitol Mall stretching toward the California State Capitol beyond the library doors.