• 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
  • Labor day closure promotion for monday september 7 with many diverse skintones of hands holding work tools and equipment up to the sky
  • 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
  • A bowl filled with a dark, chunky vegetable stew with red and green peppers, served with a wooden spoon resting inside the bowl.
  • 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.
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

Library Closed for Holiday

September 7, 2026

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
    08
    EGL - Learn and Play Storytime

    El Gabilan Library

    • 12:00pm

    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...

  • Sep
    08
    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
    08
    EGL | Cooking Demo| Demostración de Cocina

    El Gabilan Library

    • 4:00pm

    You don't have to be an expert chef to make great meals! Learn how to prepare delicious meals that support longevity at our in-person, bilingual cooking demo. Learn how to make...

  • Sep
    08
    Virtual | Author Talk: Daniel Kraus

    All Locations

    • 4:00pm

    Deep into space, far past the triworld outposts, soars The Sickness, a ship woven from biomatter and capable of reacting to every need of its human crew. When nine-year-old...

  • Sep
    08
    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...

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 Wi-Fi?
How Do I Use the Library photocopy machine?
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

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
Illustrated winter scene. Text: Winter Reading Challenge. December 20 - January 17.

Winter Reading Challenge: Free Book for Readers!

December 12, 2025

Winter Reading Challenge
December 20 - January 17
Ages 0-18

The Winter Reading Challenge is back! This Winter Break read for 15 minutes a day for 14 days, and you earn a FREE book! The challenge is open to all Salinas children and teens from December 20, 2025...

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.