1951

A large room in the city Recreation Center (the old USO building) is remodeled for use as the children’s library.

1952

A remodel of the Carnegie building begins in March. Miss Amanda Anderson resigns as of December 1, 1952 and Mrs. Barbara Miller is appointed acting librarian. The North Salinas “book station” opens at the firehouse on Laurel, but will move to 1262 North Main two years later. Howard Samuelson is appointed the new library director for the town of 18,319.

1957-1959

The Salinas Californian of March 7, 1957 details the inadequacies of the old Carnegie library building on Main Street, and the city council plans for a new $220,000 library building. John Ward becomes library director, and in 1959 the city breaks ground for the new library on the corner of Lincoln and San Luis Streets, just a few blocks from the old library. It is the second unit of the City’s civic center.

1960

The library on Main Street closes its doors for the last time, setting a new circulation record. The new building is scheduled to open March 21, 1960 in this city of 28,957. The new building is dedicated April 3, 1960. The Carnegie Building is razed during August. In November the original cornerstone from the Carnegie Library is set near the San Luis Street entrance of the building as a testament to “those who had the courage and the foresight over 50 years ago to build the first library in Salinas.” –Salinas Californian.

1962

In October Salinas born author John Steinbeck is announced the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. A month later the library lounge area is named the “John Steinbeck Room.” Steinbeck responds favorably to the honor by writing to say he “browsed” the library “practically to its roots in his youth.” The Salinas Californian records a high patron demand at the library for books of the Salinas born author.

1964

After annexation of the Alisal in 1963, the city takes over the county library branch housed in the garage on Alma Street, and Salinas is now a town of 51,700. In June John Gross becomes Library Director. Later in the year Jack Patton, a retired Salinas Californian editor, donates his Steinbeck first editions, effectively beginning the Steinbeck Archives.

1966

The new El Gabilan Library on North Main Street opens on October 3, 1966. Mrs. Elena Christensen, who donates part of the cost of her property, is later recognized for her contribution with a plaque.

1969

The city council renames the Lincoln Street library building in honor of the late John Steinbeck. Salinas now has 58,500 people.  

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.