Live Performances

Professor Pepper - Magic Book: A show that blends magic, storytelling, and circus arts to share the joy of reading, language, and culture.
Tuesday, June 9 | Cesar Chavez Library - 12:30pm, El Gabilan Library - 2:30pm, John Steinbeck Library - 4:30pm

 

Mark Griffith the Ventriloquist: See a fun show at the library full of voices, puppets, and laughs. 
Wednesday, July 1 | El Gabilan Library - 11:30am, John Steinbeck Library - 1:30pm, Cesar Chavez Library - 3:30pm

 

Clowin' Around with Daisy: Enjoy an afternoon filled with laughter, fun, bubbles, 
Thursday, July 9 | Cesar Chavez Library - 12:30pm, John Steinbeck Library - 2:30pm, El Gabilan Library - 4:30pm, 

 

Rock Steady Juggling: Comedy, juggling and magic for an enjoyable time.
Friday, July 17 | El Gabilan Library - 10:30am, John Steinbeck Library - 12:30pm, , Cesar Chavez Library - 2:30pm

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Comic Book Making Contest

We love the combination of art and writing. Create your best original graphic novel or comic book! Submissions are due by June 30, 2026. Minimum length of 2 pages and maximum length of 20­­ pages, including cover page. Get all the details for the Comic Book Making Contest!

• Prizes for winners in three categories: grades 1-4, 5-8, and 9-12. 
• Submit online using the submission form and upload your comic.
• Print an entry form and submit to any Salinas Public Library or email to Andrea.Liao [at] salinas.gov

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Youth Activities  

All programs will be drop-in unless otherwise specified that *registration is required. 

PRESCHOOL

Learn & Play Storytime: Join us for stories, scarves and songs. Recommended ages 0-5.
El Gabilan - Tuesdays at 12pm-1pm

 

Storytime Jamboree Adventure: Enjoy stories, songs, and puppets during storytime. Recommended ages 0-5. 
John Steinbeck - Thursdays at 4pm - 4:30pm

 

Storytime at the Park:  What’s better than storytime?  Storytime in the park!  Gather your family and come listen to stories and sing some songs in the great outdoors. Please bring your own blankets or mats for seating.  Recommended ages 2-8.
Wednesdays at 10:30am - 11am | Central Park - June 17, 24; El Dorado Park - July 1, 8

 

SCHOOL-AGE

Summer Matinee FUN: Enjoy a free movie and a craft. Recommended ages 5+.
Cesar Chavez Library - Thursdays, June 11 - July 23, movie starts at 1:00pm

 

Pixel Art: Use Perler Beads to create pixelated art. Create your favorite character or your own design. Program has small pieces. Recommended ages 6+.
Cesar Chavez Library - Fridays, June 12 & July 10 at 11am - 12pm
El Gabilan Library - Fridays, June 26 & July 24 at 11am - 12pm
John Steinbeck Library - Friday, July 17 at 11am - 12pm

 

Family Game Fest - Pokemon Party: All family members are welcome for this after hours event. There will be Pokemon-themed games. Regular library services will not be available during these events. Recommended ages 3+.
John Steinbeck Library - Game On! | June 26 at 5pm - 6:30pm

 

Garden Makers: garden craft program as we make tie-dye flowers, venus fly trap plants, and cup creatures. Recommended ages 5+.
El Gabilan Library - Friday, July 10 at 1pm - 2pm
John Steinbeck Library - Wednesday, July 15 at 2:30pm - 3:30pm

 

Big Kid Book Club*: Big Kids Book Club is for kids entering second grade who want to practice their reading skills with the loveable Mercy Watson. Registration required. Grades 2nd - 5th  
El Gabilan Library - Wednesdays, June 10 & 17 at 4pm - 5pm

 

TEENS

Craftivity for Teens: Teens explore different types of crafting each month. Ages 12-18.
Cesar Chavez Library -  Tuesdays, June 2 & July 7 at 3:30pm - 5pm
John Steinbeck Library - Wednesdays, June 24 & July 22 at 3:30pm - 5pm

 

Lo-Fi Lab for Teens: A variety of activities that may include painting by sticker, bracelet making, bookmark crafts, board games, junk journaling, and more! Supplies and snacks are provided. Ages 12-18. 
El Gabilan Library - Tuesdays, June 9, 23 & July 7 at 2pm - 3:30pm

 

Stamp Quest: Letterboxing for Teens: Clues, creativity, and exploration come together. Practice your skills on a letterboxing scavenger hunt throughout the library, solve puzzles, carve your own unique stamps, and/or create a logbook to keep all your finds. Ages 12-18. 
El Gabilan Library - Thursdays, June 18 & July 16 at 3pm - 4:30pm

 

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Activities with our Local Partners

Wee Ones in the Woods*: Explore the natural world with Ventana Wildlife Society. Through storytelling, campers will learn about natural habitats and create different projects to take home. Kids can attend morning or afternoon session, and do not have attend each day. Program occurs at the library.
Space is limited. For ages 4-7. Registration required. Registration starts May 18 at El Gabilan Library.

El Gabilan Library - June 8 - 12  | Morning session 9:30am - 12pm; Afternoon session 1pm-3:30pm

 

Natural Science Discovery Camp*: Join Ventana Wildlife Society for a week and learn all about the local habitats. Spend sometime this summer out in nature and experience everything from the shorelines to the woodlands. Day trips wil occur Monday through Wednesday, with a campout on Thursday night. Kids do not have to attend the campout. Transportation is provided.
Space is limited. For ages 8-12. Must be a Salinas resident. Registration required. Registration starts May 18 at El Gabilan Library.

El Gabilan Library - June 8 - 212 | Monday - Wednesday, 8:30am - 4pm; Thursday-Friday, campout

 

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Free Summer Lunch Program | June 9 - July 24, 2026

Salinas Public Library is partnering with Alisal Union School District to provide Salinas children and teens free lunch throughout the summer. This program allows anyone under 18 to get a nutritious meal at no cost. Children must eat the lunches and snacks in-person at the library. Meals will be distributed at the following site:

Cesar Chavez Library
615 Williams Rd.
Tuesdays - Fridays
Lunch: 12pm – 1pm;  Snack: 3pm - 4pm