Notice:

We are offering limited curbside pick-up and material return services at El Gabilan Library, on Monday-Friday from 10am-2pm. Click here for more information on this service.

Other locations are currently still closed due to Covid-19 impact. Library book returns are also closed and there will be no late fines charged to all borrowed materials during library closure period.

Our 24/7 digital and online learning library are always open. Digital Library Card is available to access digital resources. Please check our calendar for various virtual programs for all ages.

Salinas Public

Library

Using the Library

Photo Credit: Jay Dunn

Library Cards, Accounts, and Circulation

You can login to your library account here.

Answers to most of your questions should be found in the accordions below (click to open). If you have additional questions, please call us at:

John Steinbeck Library (831) 758-7311

Cesar Chavez Library (831) 758-7345

El Gabilan Library (831) 758-7302

Library Cards and Accounts

Who can get a library card?

All California residents can get a library card at any of our libraries.

How to get a library card?

Complete the library card application and bring a photo ID (e.g. driver’s license or school ID). If your current address does not match the address listed on your ID, then bring along a proof of residence with current address (e.g. utility bill, rental agreement, bank statement) to any library location.

Do I need to pay for a library card?

Your first library card is free but a replacement costs $2.00/card.

What can I do with a library card?

You can use your library card to:

Borrow library materials at all library locations
Access services from the library’s Digital Branch
Use public computers at all library locations
Borrow video games and controllers for in-library use at John Steinbeck and Cesar Chavez Library
Access Digital Arts Lab at John Steinbeck Library
Get discounted tickets through Discover & Go and Shelf to Shore programs

How do I view my account information?

Log in to My Account (located in the top menu on our website).

Username: 14-digit Library card number
Password: Last 4 digits of your phone number on file

What is my PIN? Can I change it?

Your PIN is the last 4 digits of your phone number on file. Usually, this is the phone number that you provided when you first register for a library card.
You may change your PIN by logging in to your account on the website or visiting the service desk at any of our libraries.

Borrow, Renew and Return

How many items can I borrow from the library?

Physical items: A total of 25 items/card, including a limit of 5 each for the following item types: Playaways, Music CDs, Videos (DVDs or Blu-rays), Read-along kits, and Magazines.

Digital items:

Overdrive - 5 at a time
Hoopla - 5 per month
One Click Digital - 10 at a time
Enki - 20 at a time
rbdigital;- no limit

How long can I keep Library items?

Currently, all items can be borrowed for 3 weeks.

How do I renew borrowed items?

Renewal requests can be made in person, by phone, or online through your library account.

If there are no pending requests/holds, item can be renewed up to 2 times. New due dates are calculated from the date of renewal, not from the original due date.

If you renew an overdue item, you will be charged for the number of days the item is overdue.

How do I return Library items?

Return items to a Library book drop, located inside and outside each of our libraries. You can also return books to the Circulation desk at each library and to the Bookmobile and Paletero Cart.

Digital items can be returned in each digital App. They will also be automatically returned to the Library at the end of the borrowing period.

How do I place a request or put an item on hold?

Holds can be placed online by logging in to your account with your library card number. A Librarian can also help you place an item request in person at the Library.

You can request up to 5 items per library card. You will receive a notification by email or phone when a requested item is ready at the pick-up library. Items will be held for 5 days.

How do I request or suggest an item that the Library doesn’t have?

You may submit a purchase suggestion for items that the Library currently doesn’t have in the catalog. The purchase suggestion form can be accessed online through your library account. You must have a library card to submit purchase suggestions.

The Library welcomes your suggestions for titles that you would like to find at the library and will carefully consider each suggestion according to the Salinas Public Library material selection procedure. The purchase suggestion service is not intended for solicitations or other commercial purposes.

How will I receive overdue item notifications?

The Library sends reminders and notices via email or regular postal mail. You can customize your notification preferences online through your library account or in person at any library location.

You must have an email address to receive reminders shortly before your items are due. The library will send overdue and lost item notices by email and postal mail.

What are the overdue fines?

Overdue fines for adult materials are 25¢ per day for each item ($5 max). There are no overdue fines collected on children’s or teen materials, however you are still required to return borrowed items by the due date.

Payments are accepted in person at all library locations by cash or check only.

What should I do if I lost or damaged a library item?

All library items should be returned in the condition in which they were checked out. Please report lost or damaged items to the library as soon as possible.

If the item can be repaired, you will be asked to pay a fee of $5.00/item. If the item is lost or cannot be repaired, you will be asked to pay the replacement cost of the item plus a $5.00 non-refundable processing fee.

Library Fees

Library card

First card: free
Replacement card: $2.00

Overdue item

Adult library materials: $0.25 per day, per item.
Child/teen library materials: no overdue fees.

Replace lost/damaged item

Lost/Damaged: Cost of item, or $20.00 per item is cost unknown. Patrons may submit an equivalent replacement for an item that is lost or damaged, per approval the LCS Director or designee.
Processing fee: $5.00 per item. Cost to process replacements for lost/damaged items (including patron-provided replacements).
Repairable item damage: $5.00 per item.

Interlibrary loan processing

$5.00 per item.

Public printing

B/W printing from computer (First 5 pages free): $0.10 per page.
Color printing from computer: $0.25 per page.
Copying from copy machine: $0.10 per page
Printing from microfilm reader: $0.10 per page.

Sale of items

Paper: $0.05 per item.
Ear buds: $1.00 per item.
Thumbdrive: $8.00 per item.

Library Meeting Room

Application: $34.25 for 12 months. Fee waived for current nonprofit/educational program partners.
After library hours usage: Actual personnel costs plus tiered hourly fee.
Room rental Tier 1: application fee only. Tier 1 is nonprofit associations and registered neighborhood associations.
Room rental Tier 2: $62.25 per hour. Tier 2 is Local or State Government associations (not including City of Salinas).
Room rental Tier 3: $88.25 per hour. Tier 3 is private or commercial usage.
Deposit for rental clean-up: $200 per event. Required if meals are to be served or decorations used.

Payment Option for Library Fees

Starting on November 19, 2018, you will be able to pay your library account fines/fees by credit or debit card, in addition to cash and check payment options. Card payment will be accepted at the John Steinbeck Library and Cesar Chavez Library, using the self-checkout machines. We will also accept credit or debit card payments online here.

Here are a few FAQ to help you learn the new system. Our library staff will be happy to assist and answer any questions.

How do I pay fines/fees at the Library?

In-person:

Library staff can assist you with payment method using cash or check. Cash payment is also accepted at some of our self-checkout machines.
You can also use the credit card terminal at any of our self-checkout machines. Select the option to Pay Fines, scan your library card and enter your PIN. Enter the amount that you want to pay, insert your credit or debit card, and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the transaction.

Online:

Online payment, using credit or debit card, is accepted at this secure page. First, login to your account with your library card number and PIN, select the option to Pay from Credit Card, indicate the amount you want to pay, and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the transaction.

How secure is my credit card information?

The credit card processing is handled through Verifone which offers multiple layers of security technology that protects payment data. Once payment is made, no sensitive card data is ever stored.

Can I make partial payments with my credit card?

Yes, once you are in the payment portal you will have an opportunity to adjust the amount paid.