Blog

The California Genealogical Society Library reopened in the summer of 2021 with numerous COVID-related protocols in place. Given the end of the COVID emergency period and related restrictions, the CGS library is returning to most of its pre-pandemic policies and procedures in April. We’re pleased this coincides with our 125th anniversary.

Beginning the week of April 3, Eventbrite reservations will no longer be needed to visit the library during its open hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (NOTE: Admission is free for CGS members; non-members can pay the $5 fee at time of the visit or join and have the fee applied to membership cost.)

To make this work for our dedicated volunteers who come in just for you, we hope those planning a visit will let us know by sending an email no later than 7 p.m. the night before to visit@californiaancestors.org.

We are also returning the computers and the small printer that were moved to their spaces and removing the plastic shields at the front desk. And did you know a new scanner has been added with easy to follow instructions?

We hope to see you at the library where there are 38,000 plus books, periodicals, manuscripts, pedigree charts and vertical files awaiting discovery. Many of our county books related to California have been linked to our California Names Index. Check to see if you find an ancestor now listed with code BIO2.  And, during the pandemic the library received several donations of new books from different donors. The  library committee members are processing and adding to our collections. So, when you come in, be sure to check the stacks for the counties you are interested in. You might find something new has been added!