Established in 1850, the California State Library is the central reference and research library for state government and the Legislature.  It is home to the Bernard E. Witkin State Law Library and the Braille and Talking Book Library. It also directs state and federal funds to support local public libraries and statewide library programs and services.

Located across the street from the historic State Capitol in the heart of downtown Sacramento, the neo-classical Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building at 914 Capitol Mall was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.