Library History


About Sonoma County Library

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. Today, the library serves half a million county residents, at 12 regional libraries, two rural stations, three special collections, and a wide variety of digital resources.

A countywide library system is a good investment for the people of Sonoma County – it provides the community access to the rich resources of every library in the county, and beyond through inter-library lending programs. The cities and the county provide the buildings that house libraries in each community, and the library provides comprehensive services and outreach.

The Sonoma County Library Commission is an 11-person body responsible for governing the library. Commissioners are appointed by the cities in Sonoma County and the county Board of Supervisors.

We are known nationally for our innovation, and locally for our connection to our residents and communities. We are a community hub where learning, the arts, technology, and people come together to discover, learn, and share.


Combined Systemwide Timeline

  • 1858  Petaluma’s Odd Fellows Library was established, the nucleus of the later city library.
  • 1859  A private library association established the Santa Rosa Free Library, founding what was the 14th public library in California. The Santa Rosa Library would be the ancestor of the Central Library of the Sonoma County Library system.
  • 1867  Petaluma Odd Fellows Library Association holdings transferred to found the city of Petaluma Library.
  • 1871  Land allocated for a library in Sebastopol, though the land first used for a schoolhouse.
  • 1878  Petaluma’s Odd Fellows Library ownership transferred to the City of Petaluma and the collection moved to the upper floor of the old City Hall.
  • 1884  Cloverdale Library Association established, renting books to patrons at 30 cents/month.
  • 1894  First Cloverdale public library established.
  • 1896  Healdsburg Library established, administered by the city and housed in the City Hall.
  • 1903  Sonoma Free Public Library established in the town of Sonoma.
  • 1904  With a Carnegie grant, the new Santa Rosa Library was completed on the corner of 4th and E Streets.
  • 1906  Petaluma Library opens its new Carnegie building on 4th and B Streets. Designed by local architect Brainerd Jones, the building served as a public library until 1976.
  • 1906  Santa Rosa’s new Carnegie library damaged in the earthquake, but was quickly repaired and re-opened.
  • 1909  Sonoma Valley Woman’s Club presented the Sonoma Free Public Library to the city of Sonoma.
  • 1911  Cloverdale library burned. Women’s Improvement Club stepped in, staffed by volunteers.
  • 1911  Healdsburg’s new Carnegie library completed, serving the community until 1988.
  • 1913  Carnegie grant library erected in the town of Sonoma.
  • 1916  Sonoma County Supervisors established a County Library, though no funds were allocated.
  • 1916  Sebastopol’s Carnegie library built.
  • 1921  Cloverdale Free Library completed, built on donated land and through the efforts of the Women’s Improvement Club.
  • 1924  Guerneville Community Library established on Main Street.
  • 1945  Sonoma County Free Public Library founded. Within five years there would be a Central Library and four branches, a bookmobile, and many outlets, among them 80 school libraries.
  • 1945  Guerneville library was renamed the Jan Herr Memorial Library and joined the Sonoma County Free Public Library system as a station.
  • 1946  A branch of the Sonoma County Free Public Library was established in Cotati.
  • 1946  Guerneville Library moved from Main Street to First Street, and changed from a station to a branch of the Sonoma County Free Public Library system.
  • 1950  There was a County Library outlet at Windsor.
  • 1950  Petaluma Library was staffed by four fulltime librarians and two part-time, this at a time when the population of the city was 10,000.
  • 1952  Cotati Library moved.
  • 1956  City of Cloverdale affiliated with the Sonoma County Free Public Library system.
  • 1961  Guerneville Library moved to the Veterans Memorial Building.
  • 1962  A City of Santa Rosa General Plan called for building three Santa Rosa libraries, in addition to the Central Library.
  • 1964  Petaluma Library card holders numbered 8,800, using a collection of 33,000 books. Six fulltime and three part-time employees.
  • 1965  Santa Rosa Public Library merged with the Sonoma County Free Public Library.
  • 1965  By resolution of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, the Santa Rosa-Sonoma County Public Library is designated as official archives for the county.
  • 1966  The location for a second library for the City of Santa Rosa was chosen on the city’s northwest side, next to the Coddingtown Mall. On this site would be built the Northwest Library.
  • 1966  Cloverdale Library became part of the Santa Rosa-Sonoma County Library.
  • 1967  New Santa Rosa Central Library opened.
  • 1967  The “California Room” was established in the new Central Library. This became the nucleus of the History and Genealogy Library (Annex) collection.
  • 1967  Cotati Library moved to College View Drive in Rohnert Park.
  • 1968  Santa Rosa’s Northwest Library was opened.
  • 1969  Earthquake irreparably damaged the Sebastopol Library.
  • 1969  The city of Sonoma Library merged with the Santa Rosa-Sonoma County Free Public Library.
  • 1974  Bond Issue approved by the Petaluma City Council and Sonoma County Board of Supervisors for the construction of a new Petaluma Library.
  • 1974  New Sebastopol Library opened on site of the previous Carnegie building.
  • 1975  County-wide Library Joint Powers Agreement signed, uniting all public libraries in Sonoma County in one system.
  • 1975  Sonoma County allocated funds for a new Guerneville Library.
  • 1975  Petaluma Library staff of nine with two part-time. Collection of 51,000 books. Population 16,000.
  • 1975  Healdsburg Public Library became a part of the Sonoma County Library system.
  • 1976  Guerneville Library designated a Regional Library on implementation of Joint Powers Agreement.
  • 1976  New Petaluma Library opened with an existing collection of 60,000 books and room for an additional 40,000.
  • 1976  Rohnert Park Cotati library established on Hunter Drive.
  • 1978  New city of Sonoma Library opened.
  • 1978  Site on Armstrong Woods Road selected for new Guerneville Regional Library.
  • 1979  Historical Records Commission established by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors to oversee the County Archives (in the care of the County Library since 1965). The Commission to consist of five members, one of whom is the County Librarian (or designate).
  • 1979  Cloverdale Regional Library completed, facilitated by the generosity and efforts of the Women Improvement Club.
  • 1981  Guerneville Regional Library dedicated and opened.
  • 1988  Healdsburg Regional Library (including the Sonoma County Wine Library) completed.
  • 1988  Funding by the City of Santa Rosa and California state grant allocated for a library in Rincon Valley.
  • 1991  Bookmobile service provided to Windsor, previously reliant on Healdsburg and Santa Rosa’s Northwest and Central Libraries.
  • 1993  Launched Internet services to the public.
  • 1993  Held the first countywide Summer Reading Program
  • 1994  Opening of the Rincon Valley Library in eastern Santa Rosa.
  • 1995  Contracted with Mendocino County Library for shared catalog and services.
  • 1996  Windsor Regional Library opened.
  • 1996  Central Library’s California Room collection moved to the Annex: the Sonoma County History and Genealogy Library. Managers: Audrey Herman, 1996-2000; Linda Phillips, 2000-2001; Tony Hoskins, 2001-2015; and Katherine Rinehart, 2015 to the present (2017).
  • 2000  Contracted with Lake County for shared catalog and services.
  • 2000   Online catalog was introduced to the public
  • 2002  Staff began using e-mail.
  • 2003  Rohnert Park Cotati Regional Library opened.
  • 2004  Launched wireless services to the public.
  • 2008  Launched downloadable audiobooks to the public.
  • 2008  Began retro RFID tagging project in preparation for self-checkout.
  • 2009  Rolled out self-checkout at Rohnert Park.
  • 2012  Completed installation of RFID checkout and check-in at all branches.
  • 2012  Library Joint Powers Agreement review and revisions began.
  • 2013  Launched e-books.
  • 2014  Revised Library Joint Powers Agreement was approved and instituted.
  • 2015  Roseland Community Library opened.
  • 2016  Measure Y, a 1/8 cent sales tax approved by voters, boosting Library budget by nearly 2/3rds.
  • 2016  Library Strategic Plan was approved and instituted.
  • 2016  Sonoma County Library mobile app launched.
  • 2017  Hours increased at all branches. Monday hours reinstated in May. Libraries opened two evenings a week (both Monday and Wednesday).
  • 2018  Saturday hours increased to remain open until 6 pm. Student OneCards made available to classrooms across the county.
  • 2019  Library went fine-free. WiFi hotspot lending program was established.
  • 2020  Curbside services instated during the pandemic.
  • 2021  Reimagining Plan was released. Extended hours implemented at all regional branches. BiblioBus hit the road.
  • 2022  Sunday hours implemented at all regional branches. First BiblioBox opened at the Sonoma Valley branch.
  • 2023  BiblioBoxes opened at Guerneville, Healdsburg, and Rincon Valley branches.

Individual branches

Cloverdale

  • 1884  Cloverdale Library Association established, renting books to patrons at 30 cents/month.
  • 1894  First Cloverdale public library established.
  • 1911  Cloverdale library burned. Women’s Improvement Club stepped in, staffed by volunteers.
  • 1921  Cloverdale Free Library completed, built on donated land and through the efforts of the Women’s Improvement Club.
  • 1956  City of Cloverdale affiliated with the Sonoma County Free Public Library system.
  • 1966  Cloverdale Library became part of the Santa Rosa-Sonoma County Library.
  • 1979  Cloverdale Regional Library completed, facilitated by the generosity and efforts of the Women Improvement Club.
  • 2017  Cloverdale Regional Library refresh completed.

More Cloverdale Library history


Guerneville

  • 1924  Guerneville Community Library established on Main Street.
  • 1945  Guerneville library was renamed the Jan Herr Memorial Library and joined the Sonoma County Free Public Library system as a station.
  • 1946  Guerneville Library moved from Main Street to First Street, and changed from a station to a branch of the Sonoma County Free Public Library system.
  • 1961  Guerneville Library moved to the Veterans Memorial Building.
  • 1975  Sonoma County allocated funds for a new Guerneville Library.
  • 1976  Guerneville Library designated a Regional Library on implementation of Joint Powers Agreement.
  • 1978  Site on Armstrong Woods Road selected for new Guerneville Regional Library.
  • 1981  Guerneville Regional Library dedicated and opened.

More Guerneville Library history


Healdsburg

  • 1896  Healdsburg Library established, administered by the city and housed in the City Hall.
  • 1911  Healdsburg’s new Carnegie library completed, serving the community until 1988.
  • 1975  Healdsburg Public Library became a part of the Sonoma County Library system.
  • 1988  Healdsburg Regional Library (including the Sonoma County Wine Library) completed.

More Healdsburg Library history


Petaluma

  • 1858  Petaluma’s Odd Fellows Library was established, the nucleus of the later city library.
  • 1867  Petaluma Odd Fellows Library Association holdings transferred to found the city of Petaluma Library.
  • 1906  Petaluma Library opens its new Carnegie building on 4th and B Streets. Designed by local architect Brainerd Jones, the building served as a public library until 1976.
  • 1950  Petaluma Library was staffed by four fulltime librarians and two part-time, this at a time when the population of the city was 10,000.
  • 1964  Petaluma Library card holders numbered 8,800, using a collection of 33,000 books. Six fulltime and three part-time employees.
  • 1974  Bond Issue approved by the Petaluma City Council and Sonoma County Board of Supervisors for the construction of a new Petaluma Library.
  • 1975  Petaluma Library staff of nine with two part-time. Collection of 51,000 books. Population 16,000.
  • 1976  New Petaluma Library opened with an existing collection of 60,000 books and room for an additional 40,000.

More Petaluma Library history


Rohnert Park Cotati

  • 1946  A branch of the Sonoma County Free Public Library was established in Cotati.
  • 1952  Cotati Library moved in 1952. 
  • 1967  Cotati Library moved to College View Drive in Rohnert Park.
  • 1976  Rohnert Park Cotati library established on Hunter Drive.
  • 2003  Rohnert Park Cotati Regional Library opened.

More Rohnert Park Cotati Library history

Santa Rosa (Central)

  • 1859  A private library association established the Santa Rosa Free Library, founding what was the 14th public library in California. The Santa Rosa Library would be the ancestor of the Central Library of the Sonoma County Library system.
  • 1904  With a Carnegie grant, the new Santa Rosa Library was completed on the corner of 4th and E Streets.
  • 1906  Santa Rosa’s new Carnegie library damaged in the earthquake, but was quickly repaired and re-opened.
  • 1945  Sonoma County Free Public Library founded. Within five years there would be a Central Library and four branches, a bookmobile, and many outlets, among them 80 school libraries
  • 1962  A City of Santa Rosa General Plan called for building three Santa Rosa libraries, in addition to the Central Library.
  • 1965  Santa Rosa Public Library merged with the Sonoma County Free Public Library.
  • 1965  By resolution of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, the Santa Rosa-Sonoma County Public Library is designated as official archives for the county.
  • 1967  New Santa Rosa Central Library opened.
  • 1967  The “California Room” was established in the new Central Library. This became the nucleus of the History and Genealogy Library (Annex) collection.
  • 1968  Santa Rosa’s Northwest Library was opened.
  • 1996  Central Library’s California Room collection moved to the Annex: the Sonoma County History and Genealogy Library. Managers: Audrey Herman, 1996-2000; Linda Phillips, 2000-2001; and Tony Hoskins, 2001 to the present (2014).

More Central Library history


Santa Rosa (Northwest)

  • 1962  A City of Santa Rosa General Plan called for building three Santa Rosa libraries, in addition to the Central Library.
  • 1968  Santa Rosa’s Northwest Library was opened.

More Northwest Library history


Santa Rosa (Rincon Valley)

  • 1962  A City of Santa Rosa General Plan called for building three Santa Rosa libraries, in addition to the Central Library.
  • 1991  City of Santa Rosa and CA State grants awarded to fund what became the Rincon Valley Branch.
  • 1994  Opening of the Rincon Valley Library in eastern Santa Rosa.

More Rincon Valley Library history


Santa Rosa (Roseland)

  • 2015  Roseland Community Library opens in temporary quarters through the combined efforts of the Sonoma County Community Development Commission, the Sonoma County Library, the Sonoma County Public Library Foundation, Friends of the Santa Rosa Library, Los Cien, the Rohnert Park Rotary, and other generous public service groups and private donors.
  • 2016  Coalition to Support the Roseland Library is created.
  • 2017  Expanded hours and permanent staff added with Measure Y support.

More Roseland Community Library history


Sebastopol

  • 1871  Land allocated for a library in Sebastopol, though the land first used for a schoolhouse.
  • 1916  Sebastopol’s Carnegie library built.
  • 1969  Earthquake irreparably damaged the Sebastopol Library.
  • 1974  New Sebastopol Library opened on site of the previous Carnegie building.

More Sebastopol Library history


Sonoma

  • 1903  Sonoma Free Public Library established in the town of Sonoma.
  • 1909  Sonoma Valley Woman’s Club presented the Sonoma Free Public Library to the city of Sonoma.
  • 1913  Carnegie grant library erected in the town of Sonoma.
  • 1969  The city of Sonoma Library merged with the Santa Rosa-Sonoma County Free Public Library.
  • 1978  New city of Sonoma Library opened.

More Sonoma Valley Library history


Windsor

  • 1950  There was a County Library outlet at Windsor.
  • 1991  Bookmobile service provided to Windsor, previously reliant on Healdsburg and Santa Rosa’s Northwest and Central Libraries.
  • 1996  Windsor Regional Library opened.

More Windsor Library history


Compiled by Tony Hoskins, Sonoma County History & Genealogy Librarian, July 16, 2014;
expanded by Geoffrey Skinner, Cataloging and Metadata Supervising Librarian, Dec. 14, 2017