Gonzales Library is moving to our new location at 630 Fifth Street and will be closed from November 25 until late February. Bookmobile services will be provided at Central Park. Please call the Soledad Branch at 831-386-6890 for assistance.
PRESIDENTS DAY OBSERVED: On Saturday, February 14, all Monterey County Free Libraries locations, including Seaside, will be closed in honor of President's Day.
The Administrative Office and Seaside Branch will be closed on Monday, February 16, in observance of the holiday. All locations will reopen on Tuesday, February 17.
Online services are available 24/7.
Digital Stories Oral History
StoryCorps @ Your Library
In 2015, Monterey County Free Libraries was one of 20 libraries nationwide awarded a grant to participate in StoryCorps @ Your Library. Funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the American Library Association, StoryCorps @ Your Library provided Monterey County residents an opportunity to record their stories and life experiences in conversation with their friends or loved ones.
Forty-one recordings from Monterey County created through the StoryCorps @ Your Library program are archived at the StoryCorps Archive and at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.
California Listens Digital Storytelling
In 2016, Monterey County Free Libraries received funding from the California State Library to participate in the California Listens Digital Storytelling project. In partnership with the Berkeley-based StoryCenter, Monterey County Free Libraries provided opportunities through a two-day workshop for local residents to create their own digital stories based on their life experiences. StoryCenter partnered with California Revealed and the Internet Archive to display and archive these stories.
Here are links to the stories created through the California Listens Digital Storytelling program that are archived on California Revealed and the Internet Archive.
Say This Not That - Kristal Gaskell
Community - Jonathan De Anda
The Army Wives' Handbook - Dana Payne
My Dad, My Protector - Rose Cobarruvias
Moving to California - Be Astengo
My Father's Journey - Kris Amaral
Satay - Sirie Thongchua
What is Poverty? - Nicole Beck
Home - Orquidea Olvera
Nurturing Our Natures - Patricia Hamilton
The Reluctant Immigrant Finds Her Way Home - Jayanti Addleman
Amma - Eric Nelson
COVID Diaries
In 2020, Monterey County Free Libraries promoted the opportunity for Monterey County residents to participate in COVID Diaries, a program sponsored by the California State Library. Read more about the program, access the stories, and share your stories here.
Digital Stories and Oral History Interview Projects from Organizations in Monterey County
Asian Cultural Experience of Salinas, Interviews and Stories
Founding Faculty Oral History Project
Carmel Public Library and City of Carmel, My Carmel Oral History Project
Monterey County Agricultural and Rural Life Museum, One Minute in History Series
Monterey Public Library, Shades of Monterey Local Stories
Pacific Grove Public Library and Pacific Grove Heritage Society Oral History Interviews
People's Oral History Project, A Celebration of Community Organizing Honoring Juan Martinez
Salinas Public Library, Interviews and Salinas Stories
San Antonio Valley Historical Association Oral Histories and Programs
Administrative Office
188 Seaside Circle
Marina, CA 93933
Office Telephone: (831) 883-7573
Toll-free: (800) 322-6884