Rogers Free Library Act

Often referred to as the Rogers Free Library Act, the Rogers Act of 1878 (officially, California State Senate Bill Number 1) was an 1877 bill written in the upper house of the California State Legislature, which became a piece of legislation in 1878 after being signed by Governor of California William Irwin. It was described as “An Act to establish and maintain free public libraries and reading rooms". The Act was named after the lead author, State Senator George E. Rogers. The general provisions were permissive rather than mandatory. They granted authority for public library maintenance to California's incorporated municipal governments; allowed cities to levy taxes, within set limits, to support public libraries; and set limits on the powers of library trustees. While prior to 1878, the California cities of Los Angeles, Marysville, and San Jose had organized public libraries within their municipalities, the Act resulted from the San Francisco Public Library's organization efforts. Eureka was the first city to reform its library into a free library subsequent to the passage of the Rogers Act, the Oakland Free Library was the second, and at least ten others were established within the first 24 months.