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Summer Programs 2023

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June 5 - July 29

Join the Salinas Public Library Summer Learning Program for fun, engaging, and FREE in-person activities all summer long.  A variety of drop-in and registration-based programs will be offered through the summer to promote learning and exploration. 

All children's programs will be drop-in unless otherwise specified. Adult programs are registration-based, with some virtual and some in-person. 

Our Summer Learning Program includes: 

  • Summer Reading Challenge
  • Book prizes 
  • In-person programs
  • Live Performances  
  • Take-home kits

Children can track their progress online (click the button below), download, or pickup a reading log at your nearby library. Reading logs available starting in June. PDF icon summer_reading_log.pdf

Adults can track their progress with a quick weekly survey, sent to the email address you registered with. Paper copies are available at any branch.

Summer Learning Program booklets are available at all our branches. You can also print one out at home. PDF icon summer_booklet_2023.pdf

Claim Your Prize(s)

Children - read for 14 days and they will get a free book prize. When they read for another 14 days, they get an additional book prize. Come to any of the libraries during open hours to claim your prize! Claim prizes through August 12, 2023.

Adults - are eligible for a free book prize by completing one weekly survey (while supplies last). Book prizes will be available starting July 5th. Each weekly survey you complete also counts as an entry for the Adult Grand Prize drawing (up to 8 entries per person). 

The drawing features two prizes: an annual Family Membership at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and a California State Parks Annual Golden Poppy Vehicle Day Use pass. The drawing will be held during the week of August 1st, 2022.

Live Performances

For Goodness Snakes: An exciting snake and reptile show.

Wednesday, June 7 | Cesar Chavez Library - 12pm, John Steinbeck Library - 2pm, El Gabilan Library - 4pm

 

Cascada de Flores: Discover, sing and dance with the music of many Latin American countries, with their various rhythms and languages.

Saturday, June 17 | Cesar Chavez Library - 12pm, El Gabilan Library - 2pm

 

Boswick the Clown: Goofy antics to silly jokes, Boswick will have everyone laughing as we adventure through the stories of his favorite book.

Friday, June 23 | Cesar Chavez Library - 11am, El Gabilan Library - 1pm, John Steinbeck Library - 3pm

 

Rock Steady Juggling: Join us for comedy, juggling, and audience participation while learning practical tips on protecting the environment. 

Friday, July 7 | John Steinbeck Library - 2pm

Saturday, July 15 | El Gabilan Library - 11am, Cesar Chavez Library - 1pm

Graphic Novel Contest

We love the combination of art and writing. Create your best original graphic novel or comic book! Submissions are due by June 17, 2023. Minimum length of 2 pages and maximum length of 20­­ pages, including cover page. Click here to get all the details. 

Youth In-Person Programs  

**All programs will be drop-in unless otherwise specified.** 

Learn & Play Storytime:   Join us for stories, songs, activities and fun. Recommended for ages 0-4. 

El Gabilan Library - Tuesdays at 12pm - 12:30pm
 

Toddler Outdoor Adventure: Come join us for music and some outdoor activities!  This program guarantees a fun time for all. Recommended for ages 2-5. 

El Gabilan Library -  June 9, July 7 @ 10am - 11am

Cesar Chavez Library - June 23, July 22 @ 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 for ages 3-8.

Thursdays at 10:30am - 11am | Closter Park - June 8, 15; El Dorado Park - June 22, 29; Central Park - July 6, 13

 

Storytime Jamboree:  The entire family can enjoy stories, songs and have fun together. Recommended for ages 0-8. 

John Steinbeck Library - Thursdays at 4pm - 4:30pm

 

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. Space is limited. For ages 4-7. Registration required. Register at library location. 

Cesar Chavez Library - June 6 - June 9 (Registration starts May 15) | Morning session 9:30am - 12:30pm; Afternoon session 1:30pm-4:30pm

El Gabilan Library - July 10 - July 14 (Registration starts June 19) | Morning session 9:30am - 12pm; Afternoon session 1pm-3:30pm

 

Family Game Night: After hours for kids and families to participate in a night of fun. Complete with games, crafts, snacks, and a library mini golf course. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

John Steinbeck Library - June 16 @ 5pm - 6:30pm

 

Library Mini Golf: Join us for a round of mini golf and games. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

El Gabilan Library - Wednesday, June 28 @ 1pm - 3pm

Cesar Chavez Library - Friday, July 14 @ 1pm - 3pm

 

Pixel Art with Perler Beads: Use Perler Beads to create pixelated animals and more. We will also turn these characters into a keychain.  Recommended for ages 5 and up.

John Steinbeck Library - Tuesdays | June 6, 13 @ 3pm - 4:30pm

El Gabilan Library - Wednesdays | July 5, 12, 19 @ 1pm - 2:30pm

 

Family Crafternoon: Come get crafty with us! Fun for the entire family, all ages welcomed. Recommended for children 5 and up.

Cesar Chavez Library - Second Wednesday of the month | June 14, July 12 @ 3pm - 4:30pm 

 

Make & Explore: Family event featuring a fun activity or hands on experiment. Recommended for ages 5 and up. 

John Steinbeck Library - Third Tuesday of the month | June 20, July 18 @ 3pm - 4:30pm 

 

Everybody Can Art: Express your creativity and show off your artistic side. From painting to modeling clay, supplies will be provided. This is not an instructional program. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

John Steinbeck Library - Tuesdays | June 27, July 11 @ 3pm - 4:30pm 

 

Wild Watercolors: Explore the world of watercolor. Use this opportunity to explore and discover new ways to create, including using the GOTH GLUE method. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

El Gabilan Library - Wednesdays | June 7, 14, 21 @ 1pm - 2:30pm

 

Science Workshop Unlimited: Explore the world of science with hands-on experience by creating a different science build each week. Recommended for ages 7 and up. 

Cesar Chavez Library - Thursdays @ 2pm - 4pm

 

Game On!: An event for families, kids, and teens who love videogames and crafts. Recommended for ages 7 and up. 

El Gabilan Library - July 15 @ 12pm - 2:30pm

 

Natural Science Discovery Camp: Join Ventana Wildlife Society and learn all about the local habitats. Spend sometime this summer out in nature and experience everything from the shorelines to the woodlands. Daytrips wil occur Monday through Wednesday, with a campout on Thursday night. Kids do not have to attend the campout. Signup at the library. For ages 8-12. Must be a Salinas resident. Registration required. Register at library location. 

Cesar Chavez Library - June 19 - June 23 (Registration starts May 15) | Monday - Wednesday, 8:30am - 4pm; Thursday-Friday, campout

El Gabilan Library - July 10 - July 14 (Registration starts June 19) | Monday - Wednesday, 8:30am - 4pm; Thursday-Friday, campout

 

Stories from Salinas Kids Podcast: Explore the world of podcasting and learn how to create a podcast from start to finish. El Gabilan Library program will be in English, and Cesar Chavez Library will be in Spanish. Registration required. Register online. Recommended for ages 8 -17.

El Gabilan Library - Fridays | June 9, 16, 23, 30 @ 2pm - 3pm

Cesar Chavez Library - Fridays | July 7, 14 @ 2pm - 3pm (in Spanish)

 

Letterboxing: A Treasure Hunt Game: Teens who enjoy secrets, adventure and puzzles solving will enjoy this two week program where they can make their own journal and carve their own signature stamp! For ages 12-18.

El Gabilan Library -  June 21, 28 @ 1pm - 2pm

Cesar Chavez Library - July 13, 20 @ 2pm - 3pm

 

Ma-TEEN-ee Movie Mayhem: Catch a free movie at the library this summer. Snacks will be provided. Since this is a teen program, all movies shown will be rated PG-13. For ages 13-18. 

El Gabilan Library - Saturdays | June 10, 24 & July 8, 22 @ 1pm

 

DIY Take-Home Kits 

Assemble your own project creation.  We will supply the materials and instructions. You provide the imagination. 
Take Home kits will be distributed at 2pm at all three libraries. While supplies last.

June 8: Paddle Boat Paint Kit
Design and assemble your very own working paddle boat. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

July 6: Painting Engraving Kit
Paint over an engraved image. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

Free Summer Lunch Program | June 13 - July 28, 2023

Salinas Public Library is partnering with Alisal 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