1991

Julia Orozco appointed Library Director. The population of Salinas is over 100,000.

1992

Santa Lucia Library dedicates the Chicano Cultural Resource Center, thanks to the tireless efforts of senior librarian Patricia Oliverez.

1993

In January all three libraries close Thursday evenings due to budge constraints. The Young Families in Our Libraries, a teen parenting family literacy project, is developed. The Program, designed by Maria Elizabeth M. Roddy, will become the model for such programs throughout the state of California. September 11 the Santa Lucia Library is renamed in honor of labor leader Cesar Chavez. Members of the United Farm Workers Union, Chavez’s widow and several of his children attend the ceremony.

1996

The Friends of the Library hold a book sale on the lawn of the El Gabilan Library. Thanks to a donation from the Salinas Rotary Club, the Cesar Chavez Homework Center opens its doors to students in October.

1998

The Steinbeck Archives move to the newly built National Steinbeck Center Museum at 1 Main Street in Salinas. Another major goal is successfully accomplished.

1999

Slithers, the beloved library snake dies. Librarians estimate his stay at the library was about ten years.