Monterey County Libraries
Monterey Public Library (625 Pacific Street, Monterey) children’s section is always fully stocked with coloring sheets, puzzles, and comfy cushions inviting children to snuggle up and read with Mom and Dad. At this library, kids love hopping up on the stools provided and scanning their own books for checkout. A newly opened snack stand Etta’s Eats, is located near the back entrance and serves up lots of inexpensive snacks for the kiddos and coffee drinks for the grown-ups.
The library offers story time for the preschool kids (2-5 years old) at 10:15 am and 11:00 am on Thursday mornings. This event is so popular that they offer the same program twice to accommodate everyone. For the baby and toddler crowd (0-2 years old), Baby Rhyme Time is offered on Fridays at 10:30 am. Mommies, daddies and other caregivers are invited to stay afterward for some extra socializing and play. Hip special events are offered throughout the year for older kids, like the “Design Your Own Graphic Novel” three-week course offered this June. Check out the fully stocked calendar of events on their website, monterey.org.
At the Pacific Grove Library (550 Central Avenue, Pacific Grove) the children’s section is also quite large. It is separated from the rest of the library, giving kids more freedom to scamper through the stacks and talk in louder-than-whisper voices. They have baskets of books and toys to keep the littles occupied while big siblings browse.
Regular story times for ages 2 to 5 are Tuesdays at 11:00 am, ages 0 to 2 is Thursdays at 11:00 am. Throughout the year, Wacky Wednesday afternoons offer tons of crazy (not particularly quiet) fun for kids of all ages. During the summer, in conjunction with their summer reading program, the library is offering a slew of special events starting at 2:00 pm every Wednesday. These events include marionette puppet shows, theatre for kids, music, comedy, magic, and storytelling. Check out pacificgrovelibrary.org for specifics.
Harris Memorial Library Children’s Library (6th and Mission Street, Carmel-by-the-Sea) is housed in a separate building a few blocks away from the main library. The entire building is home to the children and teen collections. Computer stations provide age-appropriate content and games for toddlers through teens, as well as limited-access internet to the older kiddos. The library is currently undergoing some cosmetic renovations but should reopen in early to mid-June. Regular story times throughout the year are on Wednesdays at 10:15 am, however, with the kick-off of the summer reading program in late June, the library will be offering a series of special presentations instead. Dates and times are TBD. Keep an eye on their website hm-lib.org for updates.
The Marina Library (190 Seaside Circle, Marina) is part of the Monterey Country Free Public Library system, but the best way to find information online is through their advocacy group, Friends of the Marina Library (www.friendsofthemarinalibrary.org). This very busy group hosts huge used book sales annually and smaller sales bi-monthly; Children’s Block Parties, featuring big blocks, miniature kitchen, loads of cool toys, and reading Dads on the Second Saturday of every month. Preschool Storytime for ages 2 to 5 at 10:15 am and 11:15 am is hosted on Thursdays (the story times are identical, the space is just too small to accommodate everyone all at once). Bonus: there is a children’s play area, including a climbing structure, just outside the library.
Another branch of MCFL, The Seaside Library (550 Harcourt Avenue, Seaside) is a bit smaller, but offers just as much in terms of programming and resources for kids, tweens, and teens. They offer amenities such as kid-only computers with educational software, limited-access internet and an excellent homework center open Monday through Thursday afternoons. The homework center is staffed with knowledgeable adults (during the school year).
Regular special events include story time every Tuesday at 10:30 am and Bilingual Storytime every 4th Saturday at 11:00 am. Every second Wednesday kids can boost their reading skills by reading to two wonderful Saint Bernard dogs. Programming does change from time to time, so call (831) 899-2055 for up to date times and dates.
There are many other branches in the Monterey County Free Library System. Visit www.co.monterey.ca.us/library to find which one is nearest to you.
Salinas Public Libraries
Cesar Chavez Library (615 Williams Road, Salinas) has a variety of weekly programming throughout the year. Regular story time for tots, featuring songs and stories is held Thursdays mornings at 10:00 am. Family Storytime is every Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 pm. Children can read to dogs every Saturday at 10:45 am. In addition to these programs, the library offers a Family Board Game Night on Thursdays at 4:00 pm and Karaoke on Mondays at 5:00 pm. Keep an eye out for the special programming associated with their summer reading program and pick up a schedule at the library.
The library also offers an open play groups for ages 0-5 on Friday afternoons at 4:30 pm, Saturdays at 10:00 am and 1:30 pm and Sundays at 1:30 pm. These structured groups start with circle time, moving on to free play and finishing with story time. Snacks are provided. Call (831) 758-7355 for more information on these playgroups.
The John Steinbeck Library (350 Lincoln Avenue, Salinas) offers Pajama Storytime on Thursdays at 6:00 pm and Family Storytime on Saturdays at 11:00 am. This library features a teen lounge designed by a focus group of teens complete with YA fiction section, graphic novels, Xbox and Wii gaming stations.
The Steinbeck Library also hosts an open play group on Sunday afternoons at 3:00 pm, just like the play groups found at Cesar Chavez.
The smaller El Gabilan Library (1400 North Main Street, Salinas) offers a Pajama Storytime Tuesdays at 7:00 pm.
In addition to this open programming, Parents and their littles ones, ages 0-5, can enroll in weekly play groups offered seven days a week at all three Salinas public library locations as well as at the Hebbron Family Center (683 Fremont Street, Salinas). These play groups help develop relationships between caregivers and children and teach the principals of positive parenting. Call (831) 758-7355 for more information. Registration for these groups is required. Sessions are 10 weeks.
Santa Cruz Library System
The upstairs of The Santa Cruz Library Downtown Location (224 Church Street, Santa Cruz) houses a spacious room for young people (ages 0-18). It is a safe and comfortable place for kids and teens to hang out, read, look at magazines and do their homework. Toddler Time for ages 0-3, is on Fridays at 10:00 am and Preschool Storytime for ages 3-6 is on Thursdays at 10:00 am. The library also offers D.I.Y crafts, self-directed crafts for all ages, on Mondays at 3:00 pm.
The Live Oak Branch (2380 Portola Drive, Santa Cruz) is another one of the larger Santa Cruz public libraries. It has a young adult room and a story time area, as well as computers for kids and teens. They offer a Toddler Time for ages 0-3, on Mondays at 10:00 am. They also host a Spanish (Bilingual) Storytime for ages 0-8, on Mondays at 5:30 pm and Preschool Storytime for ages 3-6, on Wednesdays at 11:00 am. Another D.I.Y Craft class meets Sundays at 1:00 pm at this location.
In addition to regular story times, The Aptos Branch (7695 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz) has a Youth Chess Club (ages 6-18), which meets on Tuesdays at 3:30 pm this summer.
The Santa Cruz Library system has ten libraries stretching from La Selva Beach to Boulder Creek. Most of these libraries offer an assortment of story times, family craft times, and tales to tails programs, which use therapy dogs to help children struggling with reading (contact library to make an appointment). Check out SantaCruzPL.org for a full calendar and information on individual libraries.
Jenny Delja is freelance writer of fiction and nonfiction, as well as the dedicated mother of two girls, an avid cook and homemaker, a tree hugger and outdoor enthusiast, and a compulsive crafter. She lives in Monterey.