6120 State Library
Program Descriptions

10 - 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. In order to perform its functions, 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. Reference and informational questions are also answered for local libraries. The SLS collects and makes accessible a vast array of current and historical federal, state, and local publications. The SLS also coordinates the distribution of state and federal publications to libraries so residents using local libraries have convenient access to official government publications.

Through the Braille and Talking Book Library, which is a regional library designated by the Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Braille and recorded books (records and cassettes) and special playback equipment are provided to blind and physically disabled residents of Northern California who are unable to use standard print materials. This collection is being transitioned from analog to digital materials and equipment. Funds are provided for the Braille Institute in Los Angeles to operate the Southern California Regional Library.

To support the Bernard E. Witkin State Law Library, Government Code Section 68926.3 provides an estimated $410,000 annually from appellate court filing fees to partially support its collections, which contain primary and secondary sources in American law; federal and state appellate court opinions, session laws, codes/statutes; federal agency decisions, and attorney general opinions of the U.S. and its fifty-four 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. It maintains a growing publications program on state policy matters, including CRB Briefs that provide current summaries of state issues, as well as more in-depth research works.