[3] Stella Huntington was appointed the first County Librarian and to begin operations, she purchased a typewriter, dictionary, and a desk with two chairs.

The study recommended hiring professional staff, developing larger book collections, and moving from storefront to appropriate library facilities.

The measure also created a special library district that shifted governance from the County Board of Supervisors to a Joint Powers Authority.

In March 2004, Santa Clara County Measure B fell just short of the required two-thirds vote for approval.

As a result of the budget shortfall, Santa Clara County Libraries were forced to close one day each week.

Measure B, which would have added another $1.9 million per year, failed to pass, receiving 64% of the vote, less than the required two-thirds.

The greatly expanded Saratoga Library (at 48,500 square feet) funded by a local bond measure opened in June 2003.

The Morgan Hill Library (at 28,000 square feet) was constructed with City Redevelopment Agency funds and opened on July 21, 2007.

City Redevelopment Agency and Transient Occupancy Tax dollars funded the Milpitas Library (at 60,000 square feet) in January 2009.

Groundbreaking for the new Gilroy Library (at 53,500 square feet) took place in July 2010 and the replacement building on the same site was dedicated on April 27, 2012.

In 2012 Nancy Howe[14] was appointed as the seventh County Librarian, and the new Gilroy Library, which was Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, opened at 350 West Sixth Street.

[16] In March 2020 Nancy Howe retired and Jennifer Weeks was appointed Acting County Librarian.

[17] The early part of Weeks' tenure was marked by the response to the COVID-19 outbreak, which forced the closure of all library services.

[18] By the fall of 2021 SCCLD had restored Sunday hours at each of its libraries, except for the limited space Campbell Express.