Someone wise has said, “Knowledge is free at the library. Just bring own container.” If your container is ready for the tasty meal of knowledge and to explore the world of books, then don’t wait further. For all of our keen readers, we have compiled a list of 10 libraries to go in Monterey County:-
1. Monterey Public Library
Founded in ‘Monterey Public Library’ is the California’s first Public library. The library is a temple for books, ebooks, study and research materials, etc. It has even managed to preserve and archive Monterey’s historical facts and related documents. What’s more interesting are the tons of activities and events happening in the library. For kids there is Toddler storytime, for children gaming events and adults there are craft shops and poetry writing workshops. The list is not extensive and for latest update login to their website.
Information
- Name: Monterey Public Library
- Address: 625 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940
- Phone: 831-646-3933
- Timings: Mon – Tue – Wed: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m, Thu – Fri – Sat: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m, Sun: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Library Cards: Free for California residents. For others $5 per month.
- Loan Period: 3 weeks (conditions apply)
- Events: To catch up with latest events click here
- Holiday: For list of holidays click here
- Website: http://www.monterey.org/library/
2. Monterey County Law Library
The purpose of Monterey County Law Library is to provide the general public and the legal communities with access to legal materials. The mediums used are hard copy holdings and electronic media, including the internet. Copy machines are available in the library and at a minimal cost you can copy the material. The county librarian and the assistant librarian help people in the selection and availability of the material.
Information
- Name: Monterey County Law Library
- Address:
- Two Locations:
Monterey Courthouse, 1200 Aguajito Road, Rm. 202, Monterey, CA 93940 230 Church Street. Bldg 1 Salinas, CA 93901- Phone: 831-647-7746, 831-755-5046
- Timings: 8:30- 16:30 Monday to Friday
- Website: http://mtrylawlib1.com/
3. Salinas Public Library
Salinas Public Library focuses a great deal on preserving the history of Salinas, its culture and the people. With Three branches in the city of Salinas itself, it has a rich collection of artifacts. Apart from these, local stories of Salinas residents are also captured and recorded by the library. They have a tortoise ‘Snappy’ as the library mascot. Don’t forget to checkout Snappy’s facebook page!!
Information
- Name: Salinas Public Library
- Address: 3 locations:
- John Steinbeck Library
350 Lincoln Avenue
Salinas, CA 93901- Cesar Chavez Library
615 Williams Road
Salinas, CA 93905- El Gabilan Library
1400 North Main Street
Salinas, CA 93906- Phone: John Steinbeck Library 831-758-7311; Cesar Chavez Library 831-758-7345; El Gabilan Library 831-758-7302
- Opening hour: Mon-Fri-Sat 10:00-18:00, Tues-Thurs 12:00-20:00, Wed 12:00-18:00, Sun 13:00-18:00
- Website: http://salinaspubliclibrary.org/
4. Pacific Grove Library
Pacific Grove Library has a repository of 99,000 books including more than 25,000 books for children and young adults. Books are available in a variety of languages like French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Korean, Russian and other languages. E-books and audiobooks are available as well. Look out for their First Saturday Book Sale which is held on First Saturday of every month in the library compound.
Information
- Name: Pacific Grove Library
- Address: 550 Central Avenue, Pacific Grove, CA 93950
- Phone: 831-648-5760
- Timings: Mon: 14:00-19:00, Tues-Wed-Thurs: 10:00-19:00, Fri-Sat: 10:00-17:00
- Library Cards: Free for California residents. For others $5 per month.
- Loan Period: 3 weeks (conditions apply)
- Holiday: Sunday. For list of holidays click here
- Website: http://www.pacificgrovelibrary.org/
5. Prunedale Branch Library
Prunedale Branch Library is in the list of Monterey County Free libraries. It is located in the city of Salinas and is a home to numerous books, CDs, e-books, study materials, etc. It is a public library and a heaven for book-lovers. Plan your next visit to the library for a bundle of knowledge.
Information
- Name: Prunedale Branch Library
- Address:17822 Moro Road, Prunedale, California 93907
- Phone: 831-663-2292
- Events: Click here
- Timing: Tues-Wed 11:00 – 19:00, Thursday 10:00 – 18:00, Fri-Sat 10 – 16:00
- Website: http://www.monterey.org/library/
6. Seaside Branch Library
The City of Seaside in Monterey is a comparatively calmer city. People of Seaside love to spend their time reading in the Seaside Branch library. It is another one in the list of ‘Monterey County Free Libraries’. The collaboration in the larger group benefits the people as the repository of books increases.
Information
- Name: Seaside Branch Library
- Address: 550 Harcourt Avenue, Seaside, CA 93955
- Phone: 831-899-2055
- Events: Click here
- Timing: Mon-Tues-Wed-Thurs 10:00 – 20:00, Fri-Sat 10:00 – 17:00
- Website: http://www.monterey.org/library/
7. Marina Branch Library
People of Marina city are making their best efforts to preserve the library of their city. Hundreds of books are donated to the library. These books are sold bimonthly at the library and also at amazon website. Marina library even has a community room which you can rent for your events. For details on community room rental, visit their website.
Information
- Name: Marina Branch Library
- Address: 190 Seaside Circle, Marina, CA 93933
- Phone: 831-883-7507
- Timings: Mon – Tue – Wed: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m, Thu – Fri – Sat: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m, Sun: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Access: Monterey-Salinas Transit has a bus stop at the Marina Library
- Website: http://www.friendsofthemarinalibrary.org/
8. Henry Miller Library
Henry Miller library is essentially the most picturesque library in Monterey County. Bored with the library ambiance? Want to read the latest bestseller with a coffee and in a less formal environment? All this is available at the Henry Miller library. It is an art centre, a bookstore and a performance venue. The name of the library is derived from artist and writer Henry Miller. They even have a cat named ‘Theo’ which stays on the library deck and you can even play with this adorable and friendly creature.
Information
- Name: Henry Miller Library
- Address: 48603 Highway One, Big Sur CA 93920
- Phone:831-667-2574
- Timings: Daily 11:00-18:00
- Website: http://henrymiller.org/about/the-library/
9. Mayo Hayes O’Donnell Research Library
Mayo Hayes O’Donnell Research Library is a beautiful library which was once the Church building. The focal point is preserving the history of Monterey and California. The library was opened in 1970. The foundation of the library started when a Monterey historian and columnist, ‘Mrs. Mayo Hayes O’Donnell’ gave her collection to a private organization, ‘The Monterey History and Art Association’. The collection of books in the library has reached around 2500 and also stores photographs, other artifacts and paintings. Since the documents and books are rare and of great importance to Monterey history, the circulation of these is not allowed.
Information
- Name: Mayo Hayes O’Donnell Research Library
- Address: 155 Van Buren Street, Monterey, California, 93940
- Phone: 831-747-1027
- Timings: Wed-Fri-Sat-Sun 13:30-15:45 by appointment only
- Website: http://mhod.weebly.com/
10. Aiso Library
Aiso Library is the part of ‘Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC)’. Although the library is accessible only to the staff, students and faculty members of DLIFLC, the library is still worth mentioning because of its nature. Its a heavenly place for people who’re crazy and are very dedicated to learning foreign languages.
Information
- Name: Aiso Library
- Address: 543 Lawton Rd, Bldg 617,Monterey, CA 93944
- Phone: 831-242-5572
- Timings: Mon-Thurs 9:00-21:00, Fri 9:00-17:00, Sun 12:00-17:00
- Online: https://www.facebook.com/AisoLibrary/timeline
Monterey County is a place full of Public and free libraries. There are hundreds of generous donations received every month from the people of Monterey by theses libraries. To preserve their culture, history and art, people are doing their best. The library activities for kids and adults show how the knowledge-thriving attitude of people. It’s worth visiting these libraries to check a collection of a vast range of books and artifacts available. Acquiring knowledge doesn’t require money but only willing minds.
Have a good trip and travel!
