Live Performances

Dream Top - An Interactive Circus Comedy: A show filled with magic, ventriloquism, mime, juggling, slapstick, and a lot of audience interaction!
Wednesday, June 11 | Cesar Chavez Library - 12:30pm,  John Steinbeck Library - 2:30pm, El Gabilan Library - 4:30pm

 

Michael the Magician: Kids and adults will witness magic tricks with plenty of laughs and surprises.  
Tuesday, June 24 | John Steinbeck Library - 12:30pm, El Gabilan Library - 2:30pm, Cesar Chavez Library - 4:30pm

 

Smiley Stories: Bilingual storytelling that includes music, blends English and Spanish, and invites kids to be part of the show. 
Thursday, July 10 | El Gabilan Library - 12:30pm, Cesar Chavez Library - 2:30pm, John Steinbeck Library - 4:30pm

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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, 2025. Minimum length of 2 pages and maximum length of 20­­ pages, including cover page. Visit the Comic Book Making Contest page to get all the details. 

• 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 Luis.Manzo [at] ci.salinas.ca.us

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Youth Activities  

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

 

Learn & Play Storytime Adventure: Join us for stories, scarves and songs, and some outside activities for the little ones to enjoy. Recommended ages 0-5.
El Gabilan - Tuesdays at 12pm-1pm

 

Storytime Jamboree Adventure: Enjoy stories, songs, and puppets during storytime, and afterwards there will be activities for the little ones to enjoy. Recommended ages 0-5. 
John Steinbeck - Thursdays at 4pm - 5pm

 

Little STEAMers:Toddlers and preschoolers play with STEAM-based toys in a creative, free play environment. Recommended ages 2-5.
John Steinbeck Library - Fridays, June 13, 27 & July 11, 25 at 10am - 11am

 

Toddler Outdoor Adventure: The library courtyard is open for sensory play and exploratory activities. Recommended ages 2-5.
Cesar Chavez Library - Fridays, June 20 & July 18 at 10am - 11am

 

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.
Thursdays at 10:30am - 11am | El Dorado Park - June 11, 18, 25; Central Park - July 2, 9, 16

 

Family Game Fest: All family members are welcome for this after hours event. There will be games, snacks and a special activity at each location. Regular library services will not be available during these events. Recommended ages 3+.
John Steinbeck Library - Game On! | June 28 at 11am - 1pm
Cesar Chavez Library - Level Up! | July 11 at 5pm - 6:30pm

 

Funtivity: Weekly afternoon program for kids that includes activities, a movie or crafts. Recommended ages 5+.
Cesar Chavez Library - Wednesdays @ 2:30pm - 4pm

 

Treasure Hunters: Kids will solve puzzles, crosswords, search for clues, and complete activities to find “treasures” and win prizes. Recommended ages 6+.
John Steinbeck Library - Wednesdays, June 18 & July 2, 16 at 3pm - 4:30pm

 

8-Bit Art: Use Perler Beads to create pixelated art. Create your favorite video game character or your own design. Program has small pieces. Recommended ages 6+.
El Gabilan Library - Thursdays, June 12 & July 10 at 2pm - 3:30pm
John Steinbeck Library - Fridays, June 20 & July 18 at 1pm - 2:30pm
Cesar Chavez Library - Wednesdays, June 25 & July 23 at 2:30pm - 4pm

 

Build-a-Board: Design and create your own board game from scratch. Recommended ages 7+.
El Gabilan Library - Tuesdays, June 10 & 17 at 3pm - 4pm

 

Game Showdown: For kids and teens who love video games. Each session will be a different video game and winners get a prize. Recommended ages 7+. 
El Gabilan Library - Saturdays, June 14 & 21 at 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Cesar Chavez Library - Saturdays, July 12 & 19 at 12:30pm - 1:30pm

 

Level 1: Mug Design: Kids and teens can create custom gamer mugs using pre-made designs. Recommended ages 7+.
El Gabilan Library - Thursdays, June 26, July 24 @ 3pm - 4:30pm 

 

Puzzle Peace: Weekly program for teens and adults where they can chill and do a variety of puzzles, including jigsaw, crossword, logic and more! Recommended ages 12+.
John Steinbeck Library - Tuesdays at 4:30pm - 6pm

 

Craftivity for Teens: Teens explore different types of crafting each month. Ages 12-18.
Cesar Chavez Library -  Tuesdays, June 3 & July 1 at 3:30pm - 5pm
John Steinbeck Library - Wednesdays, June 25 & July 23 at 3:30pm - 5pm

 

Sleuth Troop: Put your detective skills to the test! Work together to unravel clues, crack codes, and solve a murder mystery. Ages 12-18. 
El Gabilan Library - Saturdays, June 14 & July 12 at 1pm - 3pm
Cesar Chavez Library - Tuesdays, June 17 & July 15 at 3pm - 5pm

 

Librarian's Apprentice Kit: Solo tabletop role playing game (RPG) for teens to take home and play. Kit includes game, cards, and dice to play the game. Ages 12-18. 
All branches - June 26 at 12pm - 6pm or while supplies last

 

Meet the Author*: Virtual author presentations for kids and teens. All events will occur online. Registration is required. 

Katherine Applegate - Living the Otter Life (3rd - 6th grade) | June 24 @ 1pm

Raul the Third - Drawing the World (PreK - 2nd grade) | July 8 @ 1pm; Spanish presentation available July 8 @ 11am 

Marie Lu - Discerning the Truth (9th - 12th Grade) | July 17 @ 1pm

Rex Ogle - Illuminating Hope and Grace  (5th - 8th Grade) | July 23 @ 1pm

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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 June 2 at El Gabilan Library.

El Gabilan Library - June 23 - 27  | 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 June 2 at El Gabilan Library.

El Gabilan Library - June 23 - 27 | Monday - Wednesday, 8:30am - 4pm; Thursday-Friday, campout

 

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History: The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History visits Salinas Public Library in the summer! The museum brings special exhibits from the museum to the library to get a glimpse into the marvels and mysteries of the natural world. Recommended for ages 5 and up. 

El Gabilan Library - June 26 @ 2:30pm - 4:30pm

Cesar Chavez Library - July 16 @ 2:30pm - 4:30pm

 

Salinas Community Science Workshop: Kids and families use imagination and tools to explores the world of science with hands-on experience and create a different science build each week. Tools will be involved. Recommended for ages 7 and up. 

Cesar Chavez Library - June 12, 19, 26 @ 2pm - 5pm

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Free Summer Lunch Program | June 10 - July 25, 2025

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