Sac History Happenings: In History's Spotlight: James L. Gillis

Sac History Happenings

News and developments in Sacramento and California history

February 26, 2012

In History's Spotlight: James L. Gillis

Born: Oct. 3, 1857
Died: July 27, 1917

Known for: As state librarian beginning in 1899, James L. Gillis led the movement to establish a county library system in California. He also extended the use of the State Library to the general public.

Background: An Iowa native, Gillis and his family moved to Sacramento in 1870. In 1894, he became chief clerk of the Assembly Committee of Ways and Means. He was also keeper of the archives of the secretary of state. In 1898, he was appointed a deputy in the State Library, then became state librarian. In 1909, the Legislature passed a law allowing each county to install a tax-supported library controlled by a board of supervisors and managed by a qualified librarian.

A highlight: In 1899, the State Library was in the Capitol and had more than 100,000 volumes. Its use was restricted to state officials, legislators, clergy and press. Gillis opened it to the general public. He also helped create the first union catalog in the country -- the California Information File -- and the Books for the Blind department at the State Library.

In History's Spotlight profiles of Sacramento newsmakers were originally published in 2007 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of The Sacramento Bee. They were written by Anthony Sorci. Look for them every Sunday in Sac History Happenings.

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California and Sacramento have a long, rich, vibrant history. And our region is blessed with an abundance of historical resources maintained by museums, libraries, archives and societies. This blog aims to alert readers to the latest developments in local/state historical education and research.

Send tips concerning upcoming exhibits, tours, lectures and meetings, as well as new books, magazine articles and online collections to the blog's contributors.

The Contributors:

Michael Dolgushkin

Michael Dolgushkin is Manuscript Librarian at the California State Library History Section. He is co-author of San Francisco's California Street Cable Cars and is a frequent contributor to the California State Library Foundation Bulletin. Contact him at mdolgushkin@library.ca.gov.

Amanda Graham is a Certified Archivist working in the Sacramento Room of the Sacramento Public Library. She earned a BS in History from Southern Oregon University and a MS in Information Studies with an emphasis in archives from The University of Texas at Austin. Contact her at agraham@saclibrary.org.

Pete Basofin is Director of Editorial Research at The Sacramento Bee. He previously worked at The St. Petersburg Times and Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune. Contact him at pbasofin@sacbee.com.

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