6120 State Library
Program Descriptions

5310 - STATE LIBRARY SERVICES

The State Library Services (SLS) program serves as the central reference and research library for the Governor, the State Legislature, and state government officials and staff. The SLS also provides library services to the public by making available collections and services in its branch libraries and special collections. The SLS gathers, catalogs, preserves and protects information and materials so they may be easily used.

The interlibrary loan service supplements the collections of California libraries. The SLS answers reference and informational questions for local libraries. The SLS collects and makes accessible current and historical federal, state, and local publications. The SLS also coordinates the distribution of state and federal publications to libraries.

Through the Braille and Talking Book Library, a regional library designated by the Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, the SLS provides Braille and recorded books (records and cassettes) and special playback equipment to blind and physically disabled residents of Northern California who are unable to use standard print materials.

The Bernard E. Witkin State Law Library contains primary and secondary sources in American law, federal and state appellate court opinions, session laws, codes and statutes, federal agency decisions, and attorney general opinions of the U.S. and fifty-five jurisdictions.

The California Research Bureau (CRB) provides nonpartisan analytical research and specialized library services on major state issues for both houses of the Legislature, the Governor's Office and other constitutional officers.