A.K. Smiley Public Library

Serving the City of Redlands, California since 1894

Established in 1894, A.K. Smiley Public Library has served generations of patrons in the City of Redlands and beyond. The only “admission fee” is curiosity. Lifelong learning is at the center of activity in the beautiful, historic building and attractive grounds!

Heritage Room

Special Collections Resources

Hours of Operation: Tuesday 1pm-5pm and Wednesday-Saturday 10am-12pm & 1pm-5pm, closed major holidays

For information or to schedule a visit: (909)798-7632 or heritage@akspl.org

The Special Collections division is as diverse as the history of California itself. The primary collections focus upon themes, events, and individuals who contributed to the ongoing history of  Redlands and Southern California. In addition to California-related collections, the division also stewards  the Abraham Lincoln and Civil War collections of the Lincoln Memorial Shrine.

The Special Collections division is open to the public and seeks to serve a variety of interests: Researchers, Students, Writers & the Casual Visitor. Although walk-ins are welcome, specialized researchers may find their needs better met by calling (909) 798-7632 for an appointment with an archivist.

Explore our Collections…

Books

California Collection, Rare Books, and Autograph Collection

The California Collection covers a wide range of subjects dealing with the history of Redlands, San Bernardino County, California, and the West. There are separate collections which house rare books and autograph books.

Carnegie Indian Collection

This collection began in 1910 by a gift from industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie to honor his friend Albert K. Smiley. It includes rare and selected volumes primarily on the Native American tribes of California and the Southwest.

Pamphlets

The substantial pamphlet and ephemera collection contains catalogued items relating to Redlands, San Bernardino County, and California. The material ranges from the 1860s to the present.

Maps

Dating from as early as the 1850s to recent topographic maps, the map collection focuses on California, San Bernardino, and the Redlands area.

Newspapers

The newspaper collection is one of the largest of local and regional newspapers in Southern California. The Citrograph, which was an important weekly published in Southern California, has been indexed from 1887-1896.

Manuscripts

The California manuscript collection consists of thousands of pieces written by significant historical figures. Subjects include Redlands and San Bernardino County, as well as Southern California deserts, mountains, water development, and citrus.

Oral Histories

Over 100 oral histories of individual community members  document their lives and experiences. Researchers utilize both audio and transcripts to add another dimension to understanding Redlands history. Two major oral history projects are “Citrus & Service” and “Citrus, Labor, and Community in East San Bernardino Valley.”

California Periodicals

Early California magazines, including Out West  and Land of Sunshine, are available alongside contemporary publications and historical society quarterlies.

Photographs

The vast photograph collection affords researchers a variety of subjects, relating to the history and development of Redlands, as well as the rest of California.

Citrus Collection

The expansive citrus collection tracks the rise of the citrus industry in California and its role in the  development of Redlands as a major citrus center. The collection includes citrus labels, financial journals, growers’ records, and much more.

Art Collection

The extensive art collection of the A.K. Smiley Public Library includes original works depicting scenes of Redlands, California, and the desert. Collection highlights include works by local artists Worden Bethell, Jean Cranmer, and Hazel Olsen.

Major Collections

The former Redlands Daily Facts building is the future home of the Museum of Redlands

The Redlands Historical Museum Association and the Special Collections of A.K. Smiley Public Library work to collect, catalog and preserve items related to the history of Redlands. Please contact the Heritage Room at (909)798-7632 for information on how you can contribute. Arrangements can be made for pick-up of donations.

Visit the Museum of Redlands website.