The El Cerrito Library is one of 26 branches of the Contra Costa Library system. The first library in what is now the City of El Cerrito opened with 200 books in 1913, four years before the city was incorporated. Its current home is a relatively small community library built in 1949 and expanded in 1960.

The collection includes materials in Spanish, Chinese and Japanese and also features recorded books, videos, CDs and magazines. The library also offers an array of events and activities. Kids can enjoy story time and special programs like magicians and puppet shows. For adults, there are author readings, book club discussions and slide show lectures on various topics.

Along the western side of the library is a native plant garden established by 29 volunteers in 2001 with about 30 species that bloom almost the whole year.

The organization Friends of the El Cerrito Library sponsors book sales and other activities to support the library and maintains a gallery of photos on its website.