• August's Virtual Author Talks: Julia Child's Kitchen, When Trees Testify, & Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel.
  • Participants writing
  • Help Shape Your Library & Operating Hours Expansion Surveys! Please participate in two short 5-10 minute surveys
  • A group of people in early 1900's style clothes stand on a deck of a ship
  • 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."
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

JSL - Craftivity for Teens

August 19, 2026

Craftivity for Teens runs on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 3:30PM to 5PM at John Steinbeck Library with different activities. If you've ever wanted to try a craft and didn't think you had the time or funds for supplies...

learn more

Image of August Events at Salinas Public Library.

PDF icon 2026_august_-_events_eng.pdf

Image of August Events at Salinas Public Library in Spanish.

PDF icon 2026_august_-_events_spa.pdf

  • Aug
    19
    EGL - SUMMER BEYOND BASICS COMPUTER CLASS

    El Gabilan Library

    • 5:00pm

    Summer Beyond Basics Computer Class

    Join our Beyond Basics computer class to learn how you can take your basic computing skills to the next level....

  • Aug
    19
    Virtual | Genealogy Basics: Immigration & Naturalization

    All Locations

    • 5:30pm

    America has been called a nation of immigrants, and building an understanding of the history of documenting those arriving, and the rules of gaining citizenship, will help...

  • Aug
    20
    CCL - Science Workshop Unlimited

    Cesar Chavez Library

    • 2:30pm

    Science Workshop Unlimited is at Cesar Chavez Library every Thursday!

    Visit the SS WoW (Salinas Science Workshop on Wheels)! Kids and families can use...

  • Aug
    20
    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...

  • Aug
    20
    JSL - Storytime Jamboree

    John Steinbeck Library

    • 4:00pm

    Join us for storytime at the John Steinbeck Library! Get ready for stories, music, dancing, and a whole lot of fun!

    Ages: 0 - 6

    Thursdays @4pm
    John...

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 Put an Item on Hold?

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

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