The library is located in the former Pennsylvania Railroad Passenger Station, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

[4] On June 18, 1994, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission erected a historical marker at the California Area Public Library noting the importance of the California Boatyards.

[5] The building the library is located in was built in 1910 by the Pennsylvania Railroad to replace an older depot that was constructed in 1885.

[6] The California Area Public Library was founded in 1935, but moved to its current location in the former train station on May 24, 1958.

[7] The library was closed in 1965 because of the lack of financial support.