Salem Public Library to expand hours on November 10

Following community support for the May 2025 Salem Livability Levy, the City is expanding hours the Salem Public Library is open. Beginning November 10, both the Main Library and the West Salem Branch will be open longer to give the community more access to programs, services, and meeting spaces.

10/27/2025 9:54 AM

Remarkably Bright Creatures is the 2026 book for Salem Reads: One Book, One Community!

Remarkably Bright Creatures, the runaway best-seller by author Shelby Van Pelt, is the book selection of the 2026 Salem Reads: One Book, One Community project in February 2026.

10/06/2025 7:38 PM

Help Build a Community Altar for Día de los Muertos

Salem Public Library invites you to bring in items to be added to a community ofrenda during the month of October.

09/29/2025 8:45 PM

Fees for library meeting rooms, out-of-area cards to increase

Some fees for Salem Public Library meeting rooms and out-of-area cards will increase on July 1, 2025 as part of the new Fiscal Year 2026 Fee Schedule adopted by the Salem City Council.

06/26/2025 4:59 PM

Applications open for the library's Teen Advisory Board

Interested in being more involved in the Salem Public Library Teen Scene? TAB is a leadership development program for middle and high school-aged youth. Anyone entering grade 6-11 may apply through Monday, July 7.

06/19/2025 8:57 PM

Level Up at Your Library with the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge

Readers of every age are invited to be a part of the Level Up at Your Library Summer Reading Challenge! It is easy and fun to participate! Registration is open now through ReadSquared online or the ReadSquared app, available for mobile devices: https://salemoregon.readsquared.com/

06/09/2025 8:16 PM

Participate in the 2025 Library Road Trip!

Salem Public Library is part of the Chemeketa Cooperative Regional Library Service (CCRLS). You are invited to have an adventure visiting at least five of the member libraries in Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties!

04/04/2025 7:03 PM

Take the March into Nonfiction Reading Challenge!

Readers and listeners (ages 0 - 18) are invited to take the non-fiction reading challenge and earn a prize!

02/22/2025 9:09 AM

Be Part of the Salem Community Tree Project in February 2025

As a part of Salem Reads 2025, we want to celebrate everyone who calls Salem (and the surrounding areas) home! We have built a giant Community Tree to connect our community family. We want you to be a part of it!

02/03/2025 1:05 PM

"Why Didn't You Tell Me?" inspires Salem Reads 2025 Art Show

New in the Salem Public Library Art Hallway, eight local artist explored the impact and themes of the 2025 Salem Reads book, "Why Didn't You Tell Me?" by Carmen Rita Wong.

01/29/2025 12:53 PM

Exploring Identity: Writing Contest for Teens and Adults - Entries due Monday, February 17

The Exploring Identity Writing Contest is a part of the 2025 Salem Reads: One Book, One Community, exploring Why Didn’t You Tell Me? by Carmen Rita Wong. Additional activities and events are planned throughout the month of February 2025.

01/28/2025 7:29 PM

Salem Reads: One Book, One Community Returns February 1

Everyone is invited to engage and explore together as the 9th annual Salem Reads: One Book, One Community kicks off on February 1. This month-long series of events, activities, and displays explores the themes of "Why Didn’t You Tell Me?" by Carmen Rita Wong.

01/24/2025 9:15 AM

Meet the 2025 book for Salem Reads: One Book, One Community!

Why Didn't You Tell Me? by Carmen Rita Wong has been chosen as the One Book, One Community title for February 2025. Salem Reads is a community-wide reading project that invites the people of Salem to engage in reading, discussion, and programs based on the themes of the chosen book.

10/03/2024 6:57 PM

New Fiscal, New Hope: A Letter to the Community from the City Librarian

A lot has happened during the last six month, since the last community letter from your City Librarian, much of it related to the Budget Process and funding for Library Services. It's time for an update as the new fiscal year begins.

07/21/2024 10:41 PM

Some library fees updated beginning July 1

July 1 marks the beginning of a new fiscal year for the City of Salem, which brings adjustments to the Salem Public Library fee schedule for printing, meeting rooms, and for Library of Things items returned in need of cleaning.

06/30/2024 12:04 PM

Teen Advisory Board applications open through July 8

Interested in being more involved in the Salem Public Library Teen Scene? TAB is a leadership development program for middle and high school-aged youth. Anyone entering grade 6-11 may apply.

06/18/2024 12:26 PM

Library Road Trip activity encourages exploring area libraries

Looking for a fun summer activity? Consider the 2024 Library Road Trip! Salem Public Library is part of the Chemeketa Cooperative Regional Library Service (CCRLS) and you are invited to have an adventure visiting at least five of the member libraries in Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties!

05/31/2024 4:58 PM

Help choose the 2025 Salem Reads book

Please help choose the book for the 2025 Salem Reads: One Book, One Community project! Vote online through Monday, June 10.

05/27/2024 8:37 PM

2024 Summer Reading Challenge starts June 11 for all ages

Beginning on Tuesday, June 11, readers of all ages can track the hours they spend reading and listening to stories in order to earn book bags, free books, and chances at other prizes.

05/22/2024 9:44 PM

PINs now needed for Libby/Overdrive use

Overdrive now requires a PIN in addition to your card number to access your account in the Libby app or Library2Go online. We have some tips for you!

05/14/2024 3:23 PM

Salem Pop-Up Library

Salem Public Library is bringing our outreach van for a day of library fun to the Salem Community!

03/30/2024 3:52 PM

Children's Poet Tree

Kids are invited to submit a poem this April to be featured on the Poet Tree in the Children's Corner in celebration of National Poetry Month.

03/30/2024 2:10 PM

Bridget Esqueda Named City Librarian

Bridget Esqueda has been appointed City Librarian for the Salem Public Library effective Monday, February 26.

02/23/2024 2:39 PM

Take the March into Nonfiction Reading Challenge for Ages 0-18

02/15/2024 11:35 AM

Salem Reads 2024 Kicks Off February 1, Exploring The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina

Everyone is invited to engage and explore together as the 8th annual Salem Reads: One Book, One Community kicks off on February 1. This month-long series of events, activities, and displays explores the themes of The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova in 2024.

01/22/2024 4:55 PM

City of Salem Closes Salem Public Library Due to Winter Storm Conditions

Due to anticipated winter weather and cold conditions, the City of Salem is closing in-person services at the Salem Public Library and Center 50+ on Saturday.

01/12/2024 4:30 PM

UPDATE: Event Canceled - Childhood Secrets Revealed

PLEASE NOTE: This event has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience.

01/03/2024 2:57 PM

Kids, Teens Invited to Sign Up for Winter Reading Challenge

Children, teens, and families can snuggle up to read in January and earn a book to keep! Just print out a log and read/listen to at least five hours of stories during January 2024.

12/18/2023 3:21 PM

An Open Letter to Our Community about Changes to Library Hours

This is an open letter on the topic of changes to library hours, from the acting-in-capacity City Librarian to our library patrons, the residents of Salem, and everyone who loves and supports the library.

12/08/2023 2:00 PM

CCRLS Mobile App Inoperable - A Message from CCRLS

The CCRLS Mobile app for the The Chemeketa Cooperative Regional Library System (CCRLS) became inoperable on November 26, 2023. There is currently no timeline for a fix or alternative.

11/30/2023 1:06 PM

View Oregon Black Pioneers Civil Rights Exhibit through February 1, 2024

The exhibit, developed by the Oregon Black Pioneers, focuses on the fight for equal rights and racial justice as experienced by African American citizens in Oregon during the 1960s and 1970s.

11/02/2023 3:51 PM

Mayor’s Youth Achievement Award honors the library Teen Advisory Board

The Salem Public Library Teen Advisory Board (TAB) was honored Monday with a Mayor’s Youth Achievement Award, recognizing youth volunteer contributions to the City of Salem. The award was given as part of the annual City of Salem Volunteer Recognition event.

10/19/2023 2:34 PM

Items sought for Día de los Muertos Community Altar at Salem Public Library

Salem Public Library invites you to bring in items to be added to a community ofrenda during the month of October. A collection box will be available at the Greeter Desk inside the front doors of the library.

10/18/2023 2:51 PM

Miraculous Occurrences paintings featured at Salem Public Library, Salem Convention Center

The Oregon Artists Series Foundation (OASF) presents Miraculous Occurrences, an exhibition of recent paintings by Salem artist Gary Westford, at its Level 2 Gallery in the Salem Convention Center. The exhibit is complemented by a second show in the Art Hall at the Salem Public Library.

10/13/2023 5:37 PM

Big changes are on the way for the Children’s Discovery Room

Dinosaurs are the next big thing coming to the Discovery Room in the Children’s Corner at Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St. SE.

09/22/2023 10:33 AM