ICC State Library Collection

Our presence at the California State Library is more than just a tribute to the past; it is a home for the creative work of our current members. Explore the archive that chronicles our founder’s legacy while providing a permanent shelf for the books and chapbooks written by our Circle today.

A Permanent Home in the Heart of the State

When you step into the Rotunda of the California State Library in Sacramento, one of the first sights to greet you is a tribute to our founder. Etched for all visitors to see are Ina’s own evocative words:

"For California is a Poem!
The land of romance, of mystery, of worship, of beauty, and of Song."

Beyond the Rotunda lies a collection of literary history. Established in 2004—an enduring vision brought to life by Claire J. Baker and nurtured by former Vice President Stan Morner—the Ina Coolbrith Circle Collection serves as the official archive of our journey and the voices that define it.

Inside the Collection

Available for our members to view, the archive is a living, breathing record of the Circle’s contribution to the Golden State’s heritage. It currently houses:

  • The Member’s Library: Nearly 400 books and chapbooks authored by Circle members, which continues to grow as new works are submitted.
  • Founder’s Works and History: A curated archive of Ina Coolbrith’s writings and documented information regarding her life and professional activities.
  • The Circle’s Chronicles: Historical documents detailing the organization’s journey, including over 280 editions of the President’s newsletters.
Add Your Voice to the Archive

As an ICC member, you are part of California’s literary lineage. Every member is entitled to have their published books or chapbooks included in our collection. Our Vice President, Deborah Schmidt, serves as the dedicated liaison to the State Library and personally maintains the collection. If you have a newly published or classic work you would like to archive, please mail a copy to:

Deborah Schmidt
4560 Elmwood Road
El Sobrante, CA 94803

Membership enrollment

Member website application

Ownership: All links must point to a website primarily owned or managed by the ICC member.

Content Standards: The Circle reserves the right to decline or remove links to websites containing hate speech, illegal material, or content that directly conflicts with the Circle’s mission of fostering the art of poetry and literature.

Maintenance: Members are responsible for ensuring their links remain active. The Circle conducts periodic audits; links that remain “broken” for more than 30 days will be moved to a “pending” status and removed from the public showcase.