California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Shelf Life is here! Take DIY to a whole new level with oak galls. To make iron gall ink, the type of ink used to sign the Declaration of Independence, you would need to find some oak galls in trees. The galls are rich in tannins that are a color source for dyes and inks. 010
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Shelf Life this week looks at our historic building at 914 Capitol Mall in Sacramento 010
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Greg on the Go: Greg was onsite to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the Michelle Obama Branch Library in Long Beach, CA on September 12, 2026. 010
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 23/09/2026The 16th annual crawl is happening Saturday, October 17, from 10am to 4pm. Tour the four host archives, gather stamps in your passport, view treasures from dozens of archives and special collection libraries, visit with archivists, win prizes and go on special behind-the-scenes tours! 001
Reposted by California State LibraryUC Agriculture & Natural Resources @ucanr.edu · 16/09/2026#UCANR's Daniel Swain @weatherwest.bsky.social joined the @castatelibrary.bsky.social for a virtual talk on climate change & extreme weather in #California, and the rapidly developing 2026 #ElNiño event. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUE6...youtube.comWeather Extremes in California: From El Niño, Climate Change and BeyondYouTube video by California State Library Multimedia 03713
Reposted by California State LibraryUCLA Center for Health Policy Research @uclachpr.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Join AJ Scheitler, @uclachpr.bsky.social Data Equity Center Director, who will lead a workshop on how health and population data can inform policy hosted by @castatelibrary.bsky.social's #CRBNexus on Friday, September 25 at 1:30 p.m.: bit.ly/3Tvb4Kh. #DataToPolicy #ResearchToPolicy 011
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 16/09/2026In case you missed it! The recording for the September 2 program: Weather Extremes in California: From El Niño, Climate Change, and Beyond with Daniel Swain, Ph.D. is up on the Library’s YouTube account! youtu.be/lUE6DZiFy1o?...youtu.beWeather Extremes in California: From El Niño, Climate Change and BeyondYouTube video by California State Library Multimedia 010
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 16/09/2026California celebrates #LatinoHeritageMonth Sept. 15-Oct. 15. This month recognizes the contributions of Latinos/Latinx to our state and nation throughout our history, and their central role in our continued growth and prosperity. 000
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 16/09/2026It’s 9/16, repping the Sacramento area code! But before area codes, we had telegraph codes, as found in this 1871 copy of Bolton’s Telegraph code held at our Sutro Library. 021
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 14/09/2026This episode of Shelf Life takes us to México in the 1600s with a manuscript in the Nahuatl language on āmatl paper. From our Sutro Collection. 011
Reposted by California State LibraryUCLA Center for Health Policy Research @uclachpr.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Join AJ Scheitler, @uclachpr.bsky.social Data Equity Center Director, who will lead a workshop on how health and population data can inform policy hosted by @castatelibrary.bsky.social's #CRBNexus on Friday, September 25 at 1:30 p.m.: bit.ly/3Tvb4Kh. #DataToPolicy #ResearchToPolicy 023
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 09/09/2026California became a state 176 years ago today! This poster from our CA History collection commemorates the semi-centennial anniversary in 1900 that took place in San Francisco. 020
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 09/09/2026The CA Center for the Book’s “Great Reads from Great Places” 2026 Adult Selection is The Forgetters: Stories by Greg Sarris The 2026 Youth Selection is A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez by María Dolores Águila The Library of Congress releases this list yearly 010
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 02/09/2026More than 18 million Californians have a library card. Join the party at your local library. #librarycardsignupmonth Más de 18 millones de californianos tienen una tarjeta de la biblioteca. Únete a la fiesta. #MesDeInscripciónALaTarjetaDeBiblioteca 000
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 31/08/2026This Shelf Life episode shares some eclectic items from our CA history section. The Nixon showerhead is a sight to behold. 010
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 31/08/2026Congrats graduates! patch.com/california/b...patch.com40 Earn High School Diplomas Earned In 2026 Through IE Library ProgramThese Career Online High School graduates crossed the stage at the annual commencement ceremony at the Fontana Lewis Library and Technology. 010
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Continuing a conversation begun in our Spring 2026 talk, De Colores: California’s Migrant Farm Workers Please note this panel will not be recorded. Registration link: libraryca.libcal.com/event/17330121 000
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 26/08/2026Since 1973, August 26 has been designated Women's Equality Day and this registration book from the woman suffrage headquarters in New York is the perfect item to celebrate this day. While being an important historical item, it's also a treasure trove for genealogists. It spans from 1909 to 1917. 011
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 25/08/2026The world and book lovers everywhere lost one of the greats today: the fantastically talented and beloved Dolly Parton, whose dedication in inspiring kids to love to read is unmatched. RIP Dolly 😥 020
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 25/08/2026Greg on the Go! Earlier Greg visited Monterey County and went to Colton Hall, where California’s first constitution was drafted in October 1849. 010
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 25/08/2026Visit our 900 N Street location in downtown Sacramento to see a special exhibit for America 250 up from now until the end of the year. 020
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 24/08/2026Shelf Life strikes while the iron is hot with this episode of cattle brands ans marks held by our CA History collection. You can view more photos in our catalog at csl.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fu... 010
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 24/08/2026Join Daniel Swain, Ph.D. and the State Library September 2 at 5:30 pm for a fascinating virtual talk on climate change and extreme weather in California, including the rapidly developing 2026 El Niño. Register at libraryca.libcal.com/event/17421226 020
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 20/08/2026Join Daniel Swain, Ph.D. and the State Library for a fascinating virtual talk on climate change and extreme weather in California, including the rapidly developing 2026 El Niño. September 2 at 5:30 pm Register at libraryca.libcal.com/event/17421226static.klipy.comAnimated Sun and Storm Weather IconsALT: Animated Sun and Storm Weather Icons 031
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 19/08/2026Aug. 19 is the 42nd US President’s birthday! Join Greg to learn what books made Clinton’s list, and what genre of books he likes to read. 010
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 18/08/2026Saxophones get louder when you’re looking for some cute baby items in our CA history collection and find progressively unhinged babies in clothing ads 011
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 17/08/2026This one's for the birds! A little bird told us that Sutro Library had a spectacular book about pigeons that we just HAD to feature in a Shelf Life episode. Do you have a favorite? 000
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 13/08/2026 Think you know your California places? Here's another photo from our collection where you can guess the decade and and location in CA. Let us know your answer in the comments!🐟 121
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 12/08/2026Get ready for today’s eclipse with this 1873 book on the moon from our Sutro Library collection. 011
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 11/08/2026Greg visited #Steinbeck Territory awhile back and got a cool tour of Doc Ricketts’ lab on Cannery Row with Monterey Public Library Director Brian Edwards. Thank you for hosting Greg while he’s on the go! 000
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 10/08/2026This week’s shelf life shares some recent donations! Morris Roberts Wilkinson, born on April 17, 1825 in Pennsylvania, sailed on the ship Levant from Philadelphia around Cape Horn to Ca in 1849 to seek gold. The nine letters in this collection confirm that he was in Ca between at least 1849 to 1851 011
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 10/08/2026Ever wonder what the inspiration was for Batman? Greg shares some great trivia tidbits from our 31st President’s reading habits and his personal author friend. 000
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 05/08/2026On July 11 Greg attended the ribbon cutting for Santa Ana Public Library's New Hope Branch, featuring a brand new Innovation Lab designed to provide hands-on STEM learning for all ages. Congrats on the new library and we wish many happy visit from your community members and beyond! 000
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 05/08/2026Go fish! We love hanging out in the library, but some of our materials encourage you to enjoy the great outdoors too. Track your catches of 150 species with the CaliforniaDFW Fishing Passport. nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.... 000
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 03/08/2026This episode of Shelf Life puts the spotlight on a CA Poet. In 1995, CA poet Ruth de Menezes gifted the State Library a small collection of her poems and papers. Her 2003 obituary noted “In the last decade she was honored by having her books chosen to be in the archives of California State Library.” 000
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 31/07/2026Greg on the Go! On May 15, 2026 Greg attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Imperial County Library Calipatria Branch. We are so glad Greg was on hand to celebrate this brand new library with the Calipatria community! Congrats and continued happy reading 000
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 30/07/2026The sirens’ call for librarians will always be more books. 000
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 30/07/2026Need a change from dumpster fires to literal train wrecks? 110 years ago, you could have witnessed the locomotive collision spectacle, a @castatefair event where people lined up to watch two trains collide. These images from the 1916 event show the railroad cars 🚂 000
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 30/07/2026Greg’s TBR pile is pretty eclectic! He shares here about reading a classic horror novel Hell House by Richard Matheson. 000
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Come with us and you’ll be in a world of history and imagination! Teaming up with the CA State Capitol Museum for a short history of the State Library 010
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 28/07/2026Anne Hadden was a significant figure in the county library movement in CA. In 1913 Hadden became the first county librarian of Monterey County. During her time there she established 126 county library branches. The Anne Hadden Papers 1908-1953 collection is housed in the CA History Section. 000
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 27/07/2026Picture this- Shelf Life captures on camera this large Rochester Optical Premo B box folding camera from the late 1890s being processed in our preservation department. 000
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 24/07/2026Are you in your feels — World Cup over, autumn still so far away? Add this 1954 doo-wop single 'I Cried' by the Velvets to your playlist. This red record from Red Robin Records is part of our Sutro Library collection. 000
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 23/07/2026We’re proud to announce that Library Journal published “AI, Accountability, and Access: Notable Government Documents of 2024–25” featuring our CA Prison Press collection, one of several “standout selections” that made the ALA Government Docs Roundtable’s list www.libraryjournal.com/story/ai-acc...libraryjournal.comAI, Accountability, and Access: Notable Government Documents of 2024–25Standout selections from 2024–25, chosen by the American Library Association’s Government Documents Roundtable. 011
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 21/07/2026Shelf Life's golden photo for the golden state. Our CA History collection has an 1910 orotone of Yosemite Valley's entrance. Orotones are printed on glass coated in silver gelatin emulsion, then the back is coated in gold pigment + banana oil (or 23k gold leaf) for a gold tone. 011
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 16/07/2026There may or may not be coffee involved... 000
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 15/07/2026From now until August 2026, come to Gillis Hall on the third floor of the 914 Capitol Mall building to see our three America 250 displays: Speeches that Defined America; Writings of the Founders; and the Constitutional Convention. 000
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 14/07/2026Summer views, make us feel fine! Sutro Library provides a little nostalgia this summer with a View Master, complete with 3 cardboard reels featuring Donald Duck, Chip and Dale and Uncle Scrooge 021
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 13/07/2026Congratulations to Sierra Madre Public Library on its grand reopening! A State Library Building Forward Library Infrastructure grant helped make this project possible. Building Forward is a program of the CA State Library, funded by the State of California. #BuildingForward 010
California State Library @castatelibrary.bsky.social · 13/07/2026We hold these truths to be self-evident...on July 8 we hosted an in-person & livestreamed community reading of the Declaration of Independence, participating in a nationwide, simultaneous public readings of this historic document. Watch the full version at youtu.be/_6xm8tvWxWc 000