Civic Information Center

“A popular Government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives.”

James Madison, 1822

Public libraries provide the information we need to participate in democracy.

The Civic Information Center collection includes planning documents, environmental impact reports, and other publications and Web links on local, state, and federal government, politics, issues, and services.

The Civic Information Center is located in our Quiet Study Room. Please ask for assistance at the Library Help Desk.

City Meetings and Documents

I-Search Monterey icon

I-SEARCH Monterey
Agendas, minutes, documents and records.

The Monterey Channel
Public meetings streamed live and on-demand.

Quick Links

Register to vote online
Current elected officials
Income Tax Information
Covered California (Health Insurance)

Agendas and Minutes

City of Monterey

Agendas and minutes are available on I-SEARCH Monterey

Architectural Review Committee
City Council
Colton Hall Museum / Cultural Arts Commission
Historic Preservation Commission
Library Board of Trustees
Neighborhood Improvement Program
Parks and Recreation Commission
Planning Commission
Zoning Administrator

Monterey Neighborhood Organizations

Casanova Oak Knoll Neighborhood Association
Monterey Vista Neighborhood Association
New Monterey Neighborhood Association

Monterey County

Board of Supervisors
Planning Commission

Regional Agencies

Central California Alliance for Health
Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District
Monterey One Water
Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District
Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
Monterey Peninsula Water Management District
Monterey Regional Waste Management District
Monterey-Salinas Transit
Seaside Groundwater Basin Watermaster
Transportation Agency for Monterey County

Forms and Publications

In the Library when available:

California Driver Handbook
Citizen's Guide to Residential Ordinances PDF
City Focus (The City of Monterey's newsletter)
How Government Works PDF
Income tax forms and publications
MPWMD CalAm Rebate Information/Application
Voter Registration Form

Education:

California High School Proficiency Examination
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Test of English as a Foreign Language

Public Review Documents

Environmental impact reports, planning documents, and other publications released by government agencies for public review and comment.

List of other current public review documents available in the library

Voter Information

California Initiative Review
California Voter Foundation
Campaign Finance:
California
Monterey County
Easy Voter
Monterey Municipal Election Information
Next Ten (California Budget Information)
ProCon.org
Project Vote Smart
Smart Voter

Government Sites

City of Monterey

City of Monterey Web Site
City Council
City Code
City of Monterey Video on Demand

Monterey County

Monterey County Web Site
Board of Supervisors
Election Department
Monterey County Superior Court Self-Help Center

Regional Agencies

Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments
Fort Ord Reuse Authority
Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District
Monterey Co. Local Agency Formation Commission
Monterey One Water
Monterey Peninsula Airport District
Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District
Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
Monterey Peninsula Water Management District
Monterey Regional Waste Management District
Monterey-Salinas Transit
Transportation Agency for Monterey County

State of California

State of California Web Site
Governor
Secretary of State
California Assembly
California State Senate
California Courts Online Self-Help Center
California Tax Forms and Information
Covered California (Health Insurance)

United States Government

White House
United States House of Representatives
United States Senate

Benefits.gov: Your Path to Government Benefits
USA.gov: Government Made Easy

Federal Tax Forms and Information
Hospital Compare
Resources for New Immigrants