Seaside Branch

Hours

Services

• Books, talking books on CD, DVDs and magazines for all ages
• Newspapers: Monterey County Herald, San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Barron's
• Materials in English, Spanish, Korean and Vietnamese
• Microfilms of local newspapers: Salinas Californian, Monterey County Herald
• Local history and genealogy research. Obituary searches for a charge of $5 per name
• Funding Information Network partner with access to grant seeking resources for nonprofits and individuals
• Home to System Reference, Email us at 611-seaside-ref@countyofmonterey.gov
• To text a Librarian at 831-869-2960
• Telescope is now available to borrow
• Specialized services:  Book Club to Go 
• Local Friends group: Friends of the Seaside Library
• Use this wireless print link to print from your device.
  If you are having issues, feel free to reach out to your local branch for help.

Branch History

The City of Seaside was incorporated on October 13, 1954. Its origins date back to 1887, when Dr. John L. D. Roberts purchased 150 acres of the former Rancho Noche Buena, which had been owned by his uncle, David Houghton, for $5,000.

The city’s library was established in 1931 with support from the Emerson Library Club, a community book-sharing social club. As the need for more books and space grew, the City of Seaside voters approved a bond in June 1968 to fund the construction of a new library. On August 25, 1975, a library with 10,000 square feet and a capacity for 50,000 items opened in the Civic Center on Harcourt Avenue. The library is named after former City Manager Gordon R. Forrest, who died in 1969 before the library construction was completed.

Building:

Library services began in 1931 and have been provided at its present location since 1975.
Square Footage: 10,000

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