Established in 1850, the California State Library is the central reference and research library for the state government and legislature and is comprised of several sections that offer services to government employees, public libraries, and members of the general public. The California History Section of the State Library holds collections which document the Golden State’s significant and complex past, providing an expansive view of California through photographs, maps, manuscripts, diaries, newspapers, periodicals, sheet music, post cards, microforms, posters, pamphlets, programs, and other materials.

Maps in all forms, shapes, and sizes comprise a significant component of the California History Section’s varied collections and may be found in the most unexpected of places. In this webinar, librarians Marissa Friedman and Melissa Foote will provide a survey of various maps from the History Section’s archives and special collections. Cartographic materials – whether hand-drawn or printed - appear in all corners of the collection and represent such diverse subjects as social history and activism; disasters and vital infrastructure; city planning; travel, tourism and promotion; art and fashion, and more.