Santa Clara County Free Library collection, 1914-1931

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Summary

Creators:
Santa Clara County Free Library
Abstract:
This collection consists of ten volumes listing accessions of the Santa Clara County Free Library. The volumes range from 1914 to 1931.
Extent:
2 cubic feet
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

Santa Clara County Free Library collection, Santa Clara County Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The Santa Clara County Free Library Collection consists of ten accession books. These books were used by the Library to transcribe the titles, authors, publication dates and prices of newly acquired books. The first seven volumes are in chronological order and range from 1914 to 1919. The next two volumes record the accessions of books for the School Department and Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools. These two books range from 1918 to 1931. The last book is not labeled, and records books acquired in 1925 and 1926. Most of the titles included in these accessions books appear to be for children's books.

Biographical / historical:

The Santa Clara County Free Library was founded in July 1914 and was located in the Hall of Justice in downtown San Jose, at the corner of Market St. and St. James St. The original library consisted of three rooms, which quickly expanded to seven rooms. Within six years twenty-four community branches were established, ranging from Milpitas to Gilroy.

The County Library was tied closely with the local school districts. Under the County Library law of California the school district gave the County Library its library funds, and professional librarians acquired the books and shipped them out to the schools. Thus the school children had access to all of the books at the County Library. The County Library was tied with two school districts in 1914, which expanded to almost all of the seventy-eight school districts in the County by 1922. In 1922 there were 48,000 books and over 14,000 borrowers in the system.

As of 2008 the Santa Clara County Library has seven branches in Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Milpitas, Morgan Hill and Saratoga.

Acquisition information:
These records were transferred by the Santa Clara County Library in 2008.
Processing information:

Each book was originally in its own box. The books were consolidated into two Hollinger boxes. They are stored flat on their sides.

Arrangement:

The Collection is organized into one series: books.

Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult Archives staff.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The Archives can claim physical ownership only for some collections. Users are responsible for securing permission of the copyright holder for publication or quotation.

Preferred citation:

Santa Clara County Free Library collection, Santa Clara County Archives.

Location of this collection:
1875 Senter Road
San Jose, CA 95112, US
Contact:
(408) 755-7895
Archives@rec.sccgov.org
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