It was entitled "An Act to establish and maintain free public libraries and reading rooms"[2] and popularly named after its lead author, State Senator George H. Rogers.
It teaches, it amuses, it refines, it occupies, it protects; it stimulates the ambition of the listless; it revives the hope of the despairing; it consoles the sorrowful.
Nothing would be a greater attraction for many intelligent people; nothing would have a stronger influence to fortify the morals of the young men of our city, and draw them away from the evil associations into which they are thrown when they spend their evenings in the open street.
A meeting was held on August 3, 1877 at Dashaway Hall in San Francisco; as reported by the Daily Alta California, the meeting was convened by Senator Rogers, who had surveyed "all the principal libraries in the United States and Europe" with the intent to create a public library, which was deemed capable of "furnishing moral, religious and intellectual food for the masses.
[5] The initial meeting on August 3 concluded by resolving to draft legislation to be sent to Senator Rogers for consideration at the state level.