Library Administration Staff 

Contact the Salem Public Library using email, phone, mail, or by visiting in person.

The Library's Administration Office is located on the Plaza Level of the Main Library. The office is available by phone 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

About Salem Public Library

Salem Public Library is part of the City of Salem, serving the community with two welcoming locations. The Main Library is located at 585 Liberty St SE, adjacent to the Civic Center in downtown Salem. The West Salem Branch Library can be found at 395 Glen Creek Road NW.

The library’s story began in 1904 when volunteers from the Salem Women’s Club established the first library in a corner of the Salem City Council Chambers. In 1912, the library moved into its own building, and in 1972, it relocated to its current home. A major renovation and expansion in 1991 added 35,000 square feet of space to the Main Library. Most recently, the City of Salem completed an $18.6 million seismic and safety renovation, supported by a voter-approved bond in November 2017. The Main Library reopened its doors in October 2021, stronger and safer than ever.

The West Salem Branch Library has its own rich history. It opened in 1957 in the old West Salem City Hall. Over the years, it found temporary homes in the Oak Hills Shopping Center and Walker Middle School before the Roth family generously donated land for its current location, which opened in 1995.

Salem Public Library thrives thanks to the strong support of the community, including the Library Advisory Board, Friends of Salem Public Library, and Salem Public Library Foundation.

Guided by a Strategic Plan developed in cooperation with support boards and community stakeholders, Salem Public Library continues to grow and evolve to meet the needs of our vibrant community.

Land Acknowledgment

The area known today as Salem has been inhabited by the Santiam band of the Kalapuya people since time immemorial.

The Santiam Kalapuya lived in the area known as Salem-Keizer today, and throughout the immediate Willamette Valley area, south into neighboring Linn County. Their staple food and most important trade item was the nutritious bulb of the camas plant, which grew in abundance in the Willamette Valley and was managed by the people through the use of fire.  Oak acorns and tarweed seeds were very important traditional foods for them as well. They spoke a dialect of Kalapuya very similar to that of the Mary's River band who lived in the area of Corvallis. In 1851, the Santiam Kalapuya signed a treaty which would have retained for them a reservation in the heart of their homelands, but it was never ratified by Congress. Instead, the Willamette Valley Treaty of January 22, 1855 (which the Santiam Kalapuya signed), was ratified by Congress, which provided other rights and benefits for them but not their own reservation.

As with most of the tribes and bands of western Oregon, disease epidemics brought by Euro-Americans devastated the populations of these peoples, and in some cases their surviving members and/or descendants had either incorporated into neighboring bands or assimilated into the larger settler population out of necessity by the 1850s. After the signing of the Willamette Valley Treaty in 1855 (through which the entire Willamette Basin was ceded to the U.S. in exchange for certain rights and benefits), many of them were moved onto small temporary reservations, and later to the Grand Ronde Indian Reservation where they became members of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Their descendants live on as Tribal members today, carrying on the traditions and cultures of their ancestors, the original people of this land.

Source: Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde

SPL Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement

The Salem Public library is committed to serving and representing our entire community and fostering a culture of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). As a vibrant and inclusive community space, we believe that everyone deserves equal access to knowledge, resources, and opportunities, regardless of their background, identity, or orientation.

Our library aims to be a space that celebrates the richness of our diverse community. We wholeheartedly embrace individuals from all walks of life and affirm the importance of creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and heard. We strive to be a space that recognizes and cherishes the unique perspectives, experiences, and identities of our patrons.

We actively curate a collection of programs, books, media, and resources that reflect the broad spectrum of human experiences. We understand that representation matters. In our library, you will find a dedicated team of staff members who are passionate about serving you. We are committed to ongoing education and training, equipping ourselves with the knowledge and tools necessary to provide an inclusive and supportive environment for all.

We are here to assist you, answer your questions, and listen to your feedback as we continuously strive to improve our services and better meet the needs of our diverse community.