The Helen M. Nelson Heritage Room, located in the Civic Center Library, houses the library’s special collection of over 2,500 books, historical files, clippings, and photographs. The collection emphasis is local history including Southern California and Oceanside, but old and rare books on many subjects are also part of the collection.

Anyone may use the Helen M. Nelson Heritage Room for research or browsing with the permission of library staff. For more information or to use the room, please see the staff at the 2nd floor Customer Service Desk.