Library · Salinas
Libraries in Salinas
Salinas Public Library serves Salinas’s 162,037 residents from 3 locations. Last year it logged 192,039 visits, about 1.2 for every resident, and lent 271K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
John Steinbeck Library
350 Lincoln Ave., Salinas 93901
30 hrsopen a week
28,845sq ft
197Kbooks & media
Fine-freeNo late fees on books returned late
E-books & audiobooksBorrow from home with your card
Auto-renews loansBooks renew on their own if no one’s waiting
Research databasesOnline courses, journals, genealogy and more
#99
#99 of 117 · Most-used libraries in CA →Among CA towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#96 · Most library borrowing →#98 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
192K
visits
1.2 per resident
271K
loans, print + digital
1.7 per resident
880
programs & events
31K attended
32K
library cards
20% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 100,000+ people
Per-resident numbers, compared only with libraries of a similar size across the country, because a tiny town’s library always looks busier per person.
Visits per resident
1.2 visits · typical 2.1
Lower than most similar-size libraries (14th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
1.4 print items · typical 3.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (13th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.3 e-items · typical 1.4
Lower than most similar-size libraries (9th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.8 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Lower than most similar-size libraries (21th percentile)
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.2
A little below typical (42th percentile)
Cardholders
20% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (13th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
271K loans last year
Books & media (adults)32%Kids’ books & media50%E-books, audio & streaming18%
Who the programs are for
880 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$33 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $5.4M.
Local 94%State 5%Federal 0%Gifts & other 1%
Locations
Other libraries in Salinas
About these numbers
How to read this page
Hours are an averageThe survey reports a building’s public hours for the whole year. We divide by the weeks it was open, so check the library’s own site for today’s hours.
Compared by size“Similar-size” means libraries serving about as many people, nationwide. Per-resident numbers always flatter the smallest towns, so they’re never compared with big cities.
One year, the library’s own countLibraries report their own visits, loans and programs for fiscal year 2024. A library that didn’t respond keeps its address and hours here, with no numbers.
Source: Institute of Museum and Library Services, Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024. Distances are straight-line from the town center.