Move update as of December 14, 2012:
Because of delays in construction, we now anticipate that collections held off-site will be available beginning in late Spring 2013. The California State Railroad Museum Library staff maintains regular public open hours Tuesday through Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. while continuing to move off-site collections to our new collections facility. Thank you for your patience. Please contact Library staff directly before making a research visit.

Move update as of January 18, 2012:
California State Railroad Museum Library collections currently housed off-site are being moved to a new collections storage facility. During the move, these collections will be unavailable for research use through Fall 2012. If you are planning a visit to the Museum Library, please contact Library staff ahead of your visit. We thank you for your understanding and patience as we complete this move.

The California State Railroad Museum Library provides public access to the Museum's documentary collections. The Library is located adjacent to the Museum of Railroad History on the second floor of the Big Four Building at 111 "I" Street. The reading room is open to the public without charge Tuesday through Saturday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Library materials do not circulate and may only be used in the reading room. There is an extensive set of railroad history and reference books, as well as periodicals, available for review in the reading room. The remainder of the collection is in closed stacks or housed off-site.

Please register upon arrival. A coat rack is available for the convenience of researchers who will be required to deposit briefcases, backpacks, purses, coats and other personal property not essential to their work in the reading room. Personal books and papers brought to the reading room are subject to examination upon departure.

Use only a pencil to take notes. Personal computers are allowed. Scanners, cameras and personal photocopiers are not permitted.

Drinking and eating are prohibited in the reading room. Please be considerate of other researchers. Speak quietly, or leave the reading room for extended conversations.

Patrons will be asked to complete a request slip for each item retrieved from the Library stacks. Readers are responsible for the use and return of materials they have requested and may not lend or exchange them with other readers. The number of materials available for use at one time may be restricted. All material must be returned to the reference desk upon completion. Materials will not be paged from the Library stacks after 4:30 p.m.

Materials are to be handled with care and returned in the order and condition in which they are received. Photographs must be handled with gloves.

Never mark on Library materials or remove items from protective sleeves. If you notice filing or cataloging errors, please bring them to the attention of a staff member.