The El Cerrito Library is located at 6510 Stockton Avenue (next to Fairmont Elementary School) and is part of the Contra Costa County Library system. Visit the El Cerrito Library website for information such as hours, events and collection details. Phone: 510-526-7512.

Planning for a New Library

At the November 21, 2023 City Council meeting, Staff provided an update on the City's efforts for a new El Cerrito Library. Click here to access the presentation. Click here to watch a recording of the informational update (begins at 01:26:38).

A El Cerrito Library Public Forum was held on September 27, 2023 to provide more information about the current library and plans for a new library space to meet community needs. Click here to review the Presentation from the meeting and click here to watch a recording of the meeting.

A Library City Council Workshop was held on February 21, 2023. Click here to read the agenda report, click here to read the presentation and click here to watch a recording of the Workshop (at the 34:15 mark).

Library Information

Built in 1948, the El Cerrito Library does not currently meet the earthquake or health and safety standards for libraries built today.

The library is outdated and bursting at the seams. When school gets out, the El Cerrito Library is packed with school children. Space is limited for books, programs, and people – these constraints bring the library to a virtual standstill when youth use the library after school. Library programs for children and teens, including homework help and reading resources, are critical to providing our students with the resources they need. The El Cerrito Library is simply overcrowded, and too small for what our community needs.

The City of El Cerrito is considering a ballot measure for a new library that meets current health, safety, and seismic standards including providing cooling, warming, and charging centers during extreme weather events. This measure would build a new seismically safe library for residents to use for years to come.

A new library could provide updated facilities and space that will allow more after-school programs for youth and children, an expanded collection, additional seating and public computers, group study areas, and community meeting rooms – all of which are important.

Any measure would be budget stable and will continue the high standards in El Cerrito for fiscal accountability and transparency by requiring that any money generated must be spent only on library priorities, and not for any other purpose.