Kids

BABY Program

Free books for babies!

We will provide up to 6 free engaging books during the first year of your baby’s life. Our goal is to help build personal home libraries from an early age so that parents and children can snuggle together and enjoy a good book. As a parent, you are your child's first and...

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Class Visit Form

Dear Teacher,

The staff of the Salinas Public Library is pleased to have you and your students visit the library. We can tailor the visit to suit the needs and grade level of your group. If you...

Teacher's Page

The Salinas Public Library is delighted to partner with local teachers to help students with projects or learn about the library in a hands-on visit.

To reserve materials or request lists of available materials that pertain to a particular subject or project that has been assigned in a...

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What resources are available to my child with a smart card?

HelpNow – your child can get free homework help from a live tutor everyday, from 1:00 – 10:00 pm.

California Missions – your child can find out all about any California Mission using this digital resource from Follett Shelf.

World Book Online – Explore Geography, Biographies, Animals, and other subjects assigned for homework.

Great Lives from History: Latinos – Biographical essays on 518 individuals from the eighteenth century through the present, offering a fascinating perspective on Latino history in the United States, from Salem Press.

What if my child already has a library card?

The smart card does not replace your child’s physical library card, which allows for a total check-out of 25 books.  Since these are two different cards, there is no conflict.  Either card will allow your child access to physical materials and online resources, but the smart card will allow your child to use his or her Student ID# as a library card number.  The PIN for the physical card is normally the last four digits of the phone number, but the smart card will use the last four digits of the Student ID# as a PIN. ​

When does the smart card expire?

The smart card will expire when your child graduates from high school.

What happens if my child borrows books or other materials and loses or forgets to return them?

There are no overdue fines on library materials, but a lost item will be billed at replacement cost.  The card will limit your child to only two print items at a time, reducing the likelihood that a child will accrue large outstanding fees for lost items. Lost item fees will not affect your child’s ability to access e-books, e-resources, and databases.

What can my child do with the smart card?

Your child can check-out digital resources and two books.  No movies or CDs can be checked out with the smart card. If you want your child to have access to more than two books, movies, or CDs, please visit a branch of the Salinas Public Library to get them a full-service card, requiring parent consent and signature.