• Laptop on a desk displaying a video-editing timeline with a portrait on screen, surrounded by books and office supplies, with a wall calendar and a pen holder in the background.
  • September's virtual author talks featuring the books, "The Sixth Nik," "The Art of Gathering," and "Paletero Man."
  • Participants writing
  • Help Shape Your Library & Operating Hours Expansion Surveys! Please participate in two short 5-10 minute surveys
  • Loopy font on the left says Read Away Your Fine! and the right has a picture of scrabble tiles over various currency on a table spelling fees
  • Banner with text that reads, "Simply Zen, A four week intro to mindful meditation, Thursdays, Sept. 10, 17, 24 & Oct. 1, 4-5:30 pm, El Gabilan Library, click for more info.
  • Two Golden Retriever dogs lying on green grass outdoors, one adult dog in front with a dark harness and a puppy lying beside it wearing a green bandana that says, "Guide Dog Puppy"
  • The text reads, "Autumn Equinox Celebration, Tuesday, September 22, El Gabilan Library, 5:30-7. Click for more info."
  • Close-up of young beet seedlings with red stems and veined leaves growing in two dark soil pots inside a turquoise tray, outdoors with a blurred background.
  • Three farm workers walking along rows of crops while holding tools, with a tall church steeple and trees in the background.
The Steinbeck Library Exterior with View of John Steinbeck Statue

• John Steinbeck • Library

350 Lincoln Avenue
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 758-7311

Regular hours are:
Mon & Fri: 10 - 4
Tu, Wed, Th:  12 - 6
Cesar Chavez Library Exterior lit up at night

• Cesar Chavez • Library

615 Williams Road
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 758-7345

Regular hours are:
Tu, Wed, Th: 12 - 6
Fri & Sat: 10 - 4
The El Gabilan Library Exterior

• El Gabilan • Library

1400 North Main Street
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 758-7302

Regular hours are:
Mon, Fri & Sat: 10 - 4
Tu, Wed, Th: 12 - 6
Bookmobile with cartoon images of kids engaging in learning activities

Bookmobile Services

Kindermobile
Scheduled visits to Kindergarten classes in Salinas

Bookmobile & Paletero Cart
Access the library during special events around Salinas

Upcoming Events

EGL - Learn and Play Storytime

September 22, 2026

Join us for storytime at El Gabilan Library. We will read books, sing songs and have a fun activity at the end! For ages 0-4, and older children are more than welcome to join in on the fun. 

learn more

Image of September Events at Salinas Public Library.

PDF icon 2026_september_calendar_english.pdf

Image of September Events at Salinas Public Library in Spanish.

PDF icon 2026_september_calendar_spanish.pdf

  • Sep
    22
    JSL-Summer Independent Studies Computer Class

    John Steinbeck Library

    • 4:00pm

    Summer Independent Studies Computer Class

    Build your digital skills in our Independent Study Open Lab!

    Join us for two weekly, one-hour...

  • Sep
    22
    EGL | Library After Dark: Autumn Equinox Celebration

    El Gabilan Library

    • 5:30pm

    Stop by for a spell and welcome in the magic of the fall season at our first Library After Dark event for adults! Join us for seasonal arts and crafts, tarot reading, and...

  • Sep
    22
    CCL - Citizenship Preparation

    Cesar Chavez Library

    • 5:30pm

    In-Person Citizenship Class at Cesar Chavez Library. This class is for adults studying to take the citizenship interview in English.

    For more information and to...

  • Sep
    22
    Virtual | Genealogy Work Group

    All Locations

    • 6:00pm

    Our Virtual Genealogy Work Group is a welcoming space to share research ideas, learn about helpful resources, and connect with others who enjoy exploring family history. This...

  • Sep
    23
    CCL - Toddler Tales

    Cesar Chavez Library

    • 12:00pm

    Calling all toddlers and their caregivers! Join us for a fun-filled time with stories, songs, rhymes, and play! A great way to build early learning and have fun together....

see all events

How Do I's

How Do I print using my device?
How Do I Play video games at the Library?
How Do I Use the Library photocopy machine?
How Do I Use the Library Wi-Fi?
How Do I Use the microfilm machine?
How Do I Sign up for the library's newsletter?
How Do I Find out about overdue fines?

see all How Do I's

Recent News Posts

Jo Mora display with his artwork showing a man on a horse

Jo Mora 150 Year Birthday Celebration

September 18, 2026

This fall three venues in the County of Monterey will be celebrating Jo Mora’s 150th birthday year with individual exhibits. The John Steinbeck Library is already hosting a display, curated by Susan De Lay, centered on Jo’s career as an author and illustrator. The National Steinbeck Center in...

find out more
Blue striped bubble text with 'Back to School' centered on a gray background with chalk white doodles all around to promote Hoopla content

Back to School with Hoopla

August 17, 2026

Beat stress and kickstart a successful school year with your library and Hoopla.

Easing the back-to-school transition is all about building great family routines. To help, Hoopla has gathered their favorite back-to-school tips for parents alongside an engaging reading list featuring...

find out more
A young boy and a girl sit at a table and practice writing at Kinder Boot Camp.

Kinder Boot Camp is Back! Little Learners, Fall In!

July 1, 2026

Registration is FULL.

Prepare your soon-to-be kindergartener to confidently step into the first day of school with the help of the Salinas Public Library's Kinder Boot Camp! Our Kinder Boot Camp will be accepting incoming kindergarten students in additional to...

find out more
Ad for the friends of the library's 5th annual Sip & Paint fundraiser on March 14 2026 featuring a dark blue background and beautiful swoopy title

Join FOSPL for the 5th Annual Sip & Paint Fundraiser!

March 14, 2026

Friends of the Salinas Public Library (FOSPL) presents the 5th Annual Sip & Paint fundraising event to be held this year on Saturday, March 14 at 6:00 PM at Cesar Chavez Library. 

Join us for this fun event where you can express your creativity while showing support for Salinas...

find out more

view all SPL news

Featured E-Resources

___KEEP___The-new-york-times-learn-more-about-library-access

New York Times

Free digital access to the NYT featuring journalism on domestic, national, and international affairs (only mini-crossword included).
___KEEP___Brainfuse-helpnow-learn-more-about-library-access

Free Live Tutoring

Get free and bilingual online tutoring every day from 1 - 10 pm for students of all ages. AI Academic Integrity Tutors now available!
Graphic logo for LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning

Access 16,000+ professional shorts on business, software, web design, photography, video, 3D animation, and more.  
Graphic logo for novelist plus reading recommendations

Novelist Plus

Discover your next great read with easy recommendations based off your favorite story elements, your favorite TV show, and more.