Camarena Memorial Public Library
🏢 City of Calexico Public Library · Calexico, California
Camarena Memorial Public Library
The Camarena Memorial Public Library honors Calexico's own Enrique "Kiki" Camarena — the DEA agent whose sacrifice gave rise to Red Ribbon Week — and provides a vital community resource just steps from the US–Mexico border.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 12pm–7pm |
| Tuesday | 12pm–7pm |
| Wednesday | 12pm–7pm |
| Thursday | 12pm–7pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 850 ENCINAS AVENUE, CALEXICO, CA 92231
Phone: +1760-768-2170
Website: ci.calexico.ca.us
Plus Code: 8546MGF6+WM (CALEXICO, CA)
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📖 About Camarena Memorial Public Library
Named in memory of Enrique "Kiki" Camarena (1947–1985), the DEA special agent who grew up in Calexico and was killed in the line of duty while investigating the Guadalajara Cartel, the Camarena Memorial Public Library serves one of California's most vibrant border communities in Imperial County. A second city library — the Carnegie Technology Center Branch, housed in Calexico's historic 1918 Carnegie building (listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005) — complements the main Encinas Avenue branch. The library's extended evening weekday hours accommodate working families in this binational community, and its free digital resources bring eBooks, educational tools, and research databases within reach for every resident.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Named for Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, Calexico native and DEA agent whose memory inspired the nationwide Red Ribbon Week anti-drug campaign
- Sister branch: the 1918 Carnegie Technology Center — on the National Register of Historic Places since 2005
- Evening hours Mon–Thu until 7pm — accessible for working families in this busy border city
- Free library card for all Imperial County residents, with access to statewide digital resources
- Bilingual community — Spanish-language materials and services available
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Free digital access for every Calexico library cardholder:
📚 Services
- Computer workstations & free Wi-Fi
- Printing & copying
- Spanish-language materials
- Library card registration
- Interlibrary loan
🎸 Programs
- Youth reading programs
- Children's storytimes
- Adult literacy and ESL support
- Summer reading program
📍 Nearby Libraries in Imperial County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in CALEXICO · Browse all California libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, and why is the library named after him?
Enrique Camarena was born in Mexicali and grew up in Calexico, California. He joined the DEA in 1973 and was stationed in Guadalajara when he was kidnapped and murdered by cartel operatives in February 1985. His death spurred the DEA's largest-ever homicide investigation. In his memory, the nationwide Red Ribbon Week — which teaches millions of school children to avoid drug use — was established, and Calexico honored its hometown hero by naming the public library after him.
Is there more than one library branch in Calexico?
Yes — the city operates two branches. The main Camarena Memorial Public Library is at 850 Encinas Avenue. The Carnegie Technology Center Branch occupies Calexico's historic 1918 Carnegie building at a separate address; that building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005 and now focuses on technology access.
What are the library's hours on weekends?
The Camarena Memorial Public Library is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Weekday hours are Monday through Thursday noon–7pm and Friday 10am–5pm. The evening hours Monday through Thursday are especially useful for residents who work daytime shifts.
Do I need to live in Calexico to get a library card?
Calexico library cards are available to residents of Calexico and Imperial County. Non-residents may be eligible for a fee-based card or can inquire about reciprocal borrowing through the California State Library's network. Contact the library at (760) 768-2170 for details.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
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