Salinas Public Library, serving an area of 154,000 residents, has a collection of 240,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 12,600 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 5,600 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.

Staffing consists of 48 employees, of whom 9 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 2 branch libraries. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $400,000. Patrons make 560,000 visits annually, and check out materials 750,000 times. Thirty-one percent of all check-outs are children's materials.