Santa Cruz County Law Library Is 130-Year-Old

Last Thursday, October 8, 2026, Santa Cruz County Law Library celebrated its 130-year anniversary. Founded August 3, 1896, the Law Library serves both the county legal community and residents with professional dedication and remarkable accomplishments.

Keynote speakers Judge Timothy Schmal (2nd on the left) & Hon. Timothy Volkman (Ret.; back right), with Christopher sitting

There are eight law librarians established in its history, with Renee Fleming as the serving librarian since 2006. Business & Professions, Code 6340 is their ethics model and gold standard.

Three members from Santa Cruz Public Libraries (SCPL) attended the event. They are Christopher Platt, Katrina Reeves, and Hui-Lan Titangos. Bounded by Section 13 in the Statutes of California and amendments to the codes passed at the thirty-ninth session of the legislature 1911, SCPL has long shared a collaboration with the Law Library. The cooperation has been greatly enhanced with the success of Measure B (1996 November), and the awarding of the California State Library Grant in spring 2000 that partially financed the integration of the Law Library catalog with that of SCPL as one of its branches. 

The lead project managers were former Reference System Coordinator Gary Decker, and head of Cataloging Dody Anderson, with contract librarian Jody Alexander. Since 2000/2001, the ongoing maintenance of the Law Library collections has been supported by a team of catalogers of CMS (Collection Management Services).