Sonoma County Library History, 1869-2023

Sonoma County Library History, 1869-2023

The Sonoma County Library is a countywide system, encompassing all nine cities and the unincorporated areas. A Joint Powers Agreement created in 1975, and revised in 2014, established the library as a separate public agency, but the history of public libraries in Sonoma County stretches back to the later 19th century, with the first private libraries established in Petaluma and Santa Rosa. These libraries served as the basis of their respective municipal libraries and local libraries were later established in communities throughout the County; these municipal libraries were later incorporated into the countywide system. Today, the library serves half a million county residents, at 13 regional libraries, two rural stations, three special collections, and a wide variety of digital resources.

See below for a full timeline

 

Many of the historical materials are gathered into an archival collection, Sonoma County Library History Collection, 1869-2023 (SPC.00001). This collection contains official and unofficial documents and other items from the Sonoma County Library and its predecessor municipal libraries. Includes official records, scrapbooks, clippings, audio and video recordings, and photographs from the earliest days of public libraries in Sonoma County.