Join us on the first floor at Central Library from April 29 to July 22 for the Smithsonian Traveling exhibition, The Way We Worked.

Workers are the backbone of American society. Known for their strong work ethic, Americans invest themselves physically, emotionally, and intellectually in their work.

American jobs are as diverse as the American workforce. The opportunity provided by work is central to the American dream and has attracted people to better lives in America. With strength, ingenuity, creativity, thoughtfulness, and heroics, American workers keep our economy and our society up and running.

The Way We Worked, adapted from an original exhibition developed by the National Archives, explores how work became such a central element in American culture by tracing the many changes that affected the workforce and work environments over the past 150 years.  The exhibition draws from the Archives’ rich collections to tell this compelling story.

Accompanying the exhibit will be presentations by five local scholars, each addressing an aspect of the panorama of American work. They are:

April 29 at 1:00 pm: Dr. Eric Rauchway, Distinguished Professor of History at UC Davis presents “Why the New Deal Matters,” a look at the legendary labor and public works projects that put New Deal legislation into action.

May 6 at 1:00 pm: William Burg, historian and President of Preservation Sacramento, presents a deep-dive into the Industrial Workers of the World in Sacramento. Burg will also explore the 1894 Pullman strike, Kelley's Army in 1913, the bombing of the Governor's Mansion and the "Silent Defenders" in 1918-1919, and how official reaction to those events led to the "Criminal Syndicalism" laws that ended up with prosecution of Cannery and Agricultural Workers Industrial Union cannery workers in the 1930s.

May 27 at 1:00 pm: Dr. Damany Fisher, principal historian for the Sacramento African American Experience Project’s context statement, presents the impacts of the Second Great Migration on Sacramento labor, housing, and culture.

June 10 at 1:00 pm in the Sacramento Room: Phil Sexton, natural and cultural history interpreter with the 1882 Foundation and Summit Tunnel Conservation Association, presents “The Summit Tunnel: Diversity and Pride in Building the American Nation,” a short video with an even shorter slide presentation (45-50 min) about the history and legacy of the thousands of unknown Chinese laborers who built the western portion of the Pacific Railroad that continues to influence our lives today. 

July 22 at 1:00 pm: Dr. Lorena Marquez, associate professor of Chicana/o studies at UC Davis presents “The Plight of the Cannery Workers Committee in Northern California,” the compelling story of how, in 1969, ethnic Mexican cannery workers at Libby, McNeil, and Libby came together to demand race and gender equality in one of the most labor exploitative industries in California by forming the CWC. 

During open hours 10-6

Join us at Central Library from January 23 to March 16 for "Take Me to the Water: Histories of the Black Pacific," a multi-media exhibit that captures the historic panorama of the Black experience with the Pacific Ocean. Curated by Dr. Caroline Collins, Take Me to the Water seeks to recenter the relationship between African Americans, water, and ships, moving beyond the entrenched narrative of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and towards the understanding that Black people have not only existed in the Pacific region for centuries, but played an integral role in the development of Pacific economy and society.

Bring your young children to explore, learn, and play at the library.

Join us for Explore and Learn, a program with fun learning activities for young children and their caregivers to meet others and play together.

This program is free and designed for children 0 - 5. No registration, drop-ins welcome.

Stories, songs, and fun for 0-5 year-olds and their caregivers.

Families with young children (0-5) are invited to join us at Sylvan Oaks Library for songs, rhymes, and stories designed to build early literacy skills. Older siblings are welcome to attend.

FREE COVID-19 VACCINES FOR AGES 6 MONTHS +

Provided in partnership with the Sacramento County Public Health Department. 

Register online at http://myturn.ca.gov/ (Recommended, although walk-ins will be welcome)

No insurance required. Please bring CDC card.

COVID-19 Vaccine – Ages 6 months 

• Pfizer and Moderna
• First or second doses and boosters available

Join us for Explore and Learn, a program with fun learning activities for young children and their caregivers to meet others and play together.  This program is free and designed for children 0 – 5.  No registration, drop-ins welcome.

Practice speaking English in a friendly, small group led by a trained facilitator. Discussion topics include everyday life, news, local things to do and more. All levels are welcome and no registration is needed.

K - 8 students may drop in for homework help.  Volunteer homework coaches will be available to help students with homework assignments.

Join us for Explore and Learn, a program with fun learning activities for young children and their caregivers to meet others and play together.

Join us for Virtual Zumba Gold® led by local instructor, Lisa Harris. Zumba Gold® is a lower-intensity version of the typical Zumba® class, ideal for older adults and beginners. Zumba Gold® is easy-to-follow, with repetitive choreography, a slower pace, and no jumping. No previous Zumba® experience is required. Zumba Gold® is about moving your body and having fun! 

Click to register in advance.