Early Closure: Christmas Eve

Mitchell Park and Rinconada libraries will be closing early at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24. Please note: Downtown, College Terrace & Children's Library will remain closed December 24 through January 1. Our e......More

Mitchell Park and Rinconada libraries will be closing early at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24. Please note: Downtown, College Terrace & Children's Library will remain closed December 24 through January 1. Our eLibrary is open 24/7!

CLOSED: Christmas

All Palo Alto City libraries will be closed Thursday, December 25 for Christmas. Mitchell Park and Rinconada libraries will reopen on Friday, December 26 at 10 a.m. Please note: Downtown, College Terrace & Children's Library will remain closed December 24 through Janu......More

All Palo Alto City libraries will be closed Thursday, December 25 for Christmas. Mitchell Park and Rinconada libraries will reopen on Friday, December 26 at 10 a.m. Please note: Downtown, College Terrace & Children's Library will remain closed December 24 through January 1. Our eLibrary is open 24/7!

Early Closure: New Year's Eve

Mitchell Park and Rinconada libraries will be closing early at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31. Please note: Downtown, College Terrace & Children's Library will remain closed December 24 through January 1. Our e......More

Mitchell Park and Rinconada libraries will be closing early at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31. Please note: Downtown, College Terrace & Children's Library will remain closed December 24 through January 1. Our eLibrary is open 24/7!

CLOSED: New Year's

All Palo Alto City libraries will be closed on Thursday, January 1 for New Year's Day. Our eLibrary is open 24/7!

Saturday Board Games Day

Drop in for a full day of modern board gaming at the Downtown Library! The group meets every 1st Saturday from 10 AM–6 PM.  Attendees can bring their own games to play or jump-in with others. Please bring your own snacks and drinks to fuel an afternoon of marathon gam......More

Drop in for a full day of modern board gaming at the Downtown Library! The group meets every 1st Saturday from 10 AM–6 PM.  Attendees can bring their own games to play or jump-in with others. Please bring your own snacks and drinks to fuel an afternoon of marathon gaming in the El Camino Room. Presented by The Bay Area Boardgames Meetup Group. Masks are not required in the Palo Alto Libraries, but are recommended. 

LEGO Tuesdays!

We have the LEGOs! Bring your imagination and build something fun! LEGOs will stay at the library, so be sure to snap a pic of your creation!  In addition to being a great way to introduce the engineering and art concepts of STEAM, playing with LEGO’s supports early ......More

We have the LEGOs! Bring your imagination and build something fun! LEGOs will stay at the library, so be sure to snap a pic of your creation!  In addition to being a great way to introduce the engineering and art concepts of STEAM, playing with LEGO’s supports early childhood development because children engage in problem solving, teamwork, self-confidence, and creativity!

Family Storytime

Join Librarian Heidi on Friday mornings at 11:00AM for Family Storytime at Downtown Library.  Come sing, rhyme, and read stories with us! While this storytime will be geared towards those older than 2 years, all ages are welcome! Make sure to follow us on ......More

Join Librarian Heidi on Friday mornings at 11:00AM for Family Storytime at Downtown Library.  Come sing, rhyme, and read stories with us! While this storytime will be geared towards those older than 2 years, all ages are welcome! Make sure to follow us on YouTube for more stories, songs and rhymes, including a playlist of all of our favorite songs to sing!

CLOSED: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

All Palo Alto City libraries will be closed on Monday, January 19 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day Our eLibrary is open 24/7!

LEGO Tuesdays!

We have the LEGOs! Bring your imagination and build something fun! LEGOs will stay at the library, so be sure to snap a pic of your creation!  In addition to being a great way to introduce the engineering and art concepts of STEAM, playing with LEGO’s supports early ......More

We have the LEGOs! Bring your imagination and build something fun! LEGOs will stay at the library, so be sure to snap a pic of your creation!  In addition to being a great way to introduce the engineering and art concepts of STEAM, playing with LEGO’s supports early childhood development because children engage in problem solving, teamwork, self-confidence, and creativity!

Family Storytime

Join Librarian Heidi on Friday mornings at 11:00AM for Family Storytime at Downtown Library.  Come sing, rhyme, and read stories with us! While this storytime will be geared towards those older than 2 years, all ages are welcome! Make sure to follow us on ......More

Join Librarian Heidi on Friday mornings at 11:00AM for Family Storytime at Downtown Library.  Come sing, rhyme, and read stories with us! While this storytime will be geared towards those older than 2 years, all ages are welcome! Make sure to follow us on YouTube for more stories, songs and rhymes, including a playlist of all of our favorite songs to sing!

Mental Health First Aid Training: Part 1

Learn how to support your friends, families, and neighbors by becoming certified in Mental Health First Aid. In this two-part training, you will learn how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health......More

Learn how to support your friends, families, and neighbors by becoming certified in Mental Health First Aid. In this two-part training, you will learn how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults. This training is intended for adults who are at least 18 years old. After the training, you will be able to: Recognize common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges Recognize common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges Understand how to interact with a person in crisis Know how to connect a person with help Use self-care tools and techniques To receive certification, participants must attend both Part 1 and Part 2 sessions. Part 1 is on January 24th; Part 2 is on January 31st. Each part is four hours with a break for participants to get lunch on their own.  Registration is required. Please register directly with Kennya Rodriguez at Momentum for Health at [email protected]. Trainings are conducted by Momentum for Health, a non-profit organization in Santa Clara County that helps people achieve mental and emotional health, discover their potential, and fully participate in life. These trainings are offered through support by a $2M Federal Earmark.

Lunar New Year Celebration! (欢庆春节)

Celebrate Lunar New Year with Palo Alto City Library! Join us for a fun-filled event on Sunday, January 25 from 2:30-4:30pm as we ring in the Year of the Firehorse. Performers will start at 3:00pm, include: ......More

Celebrate Lunar New Year with Palo Alto City Library! Join us for a fun-filled event on Sunday, January 25 from 2:30-4:30pm as we ring in the Year of the Firehorse. Performers will start at 3:00pm, include: Cornerstone School Stanford's Mua Lac Hong Palo Alto High School's Kpop Dance Club (PALYCE) Joyous Lion Dance Troupe Outreach table: ICAN (International Children Assistance Network) This event also includes crafts, along with our very Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo friends, and light snacks. Ideal for children 3-11 and their families, but all are welcome. **Due to limited space availability, seating is offered at a first some, first served basis. Please plan accordingly for parking.** This event will be held in the El Palo Alto Room of the Mitchell Park Community Center.

LEGO Tuesdays!

We have the LEGOs! Bring your imagination and build something fun! LEGOs will stay at the library, so be sure to snap a pic of your creation!  In addition to being a great way to introduce the engineering and art concepts of STEAM, playing with LEGO’s supports early ......More

We have the LEGOs! Bring your imagination and build something fun! LEGOs will stay at the library, so be sure to snap a pic of your creation!  In addition to being a great way to introduce the engineering and art concepts of STEAM, playing with LEGO’s supports early childhood development because children engage in problem solving, teamwork, self-confidence, and creativity!

Family Storytime

Join Librarian Heidi on Friday mornings at 11:00AM for Family Storytime at Downtown Library.  Come sing, rhyme, and read stories with us! While this storytime will be geared towards those older than 2 years, all ages are welcome! Make sure to follow us on ......More

Join Librarian Heidi on Friday mornings at 11:00AM for Family Storytime at Downtown Library.  Come sing, rhyme, and read stories with us! While this storytime will be geared towards those older than 2 years, all ages are welcome! Make sure to follow us on YouTube for more stories, songs and rhymes, including a playlist of all of our favorite songs to sing!

Mental Health First Aid Training: Part 2

Learn how to support your friends, families, and neighbors by becoming certified in Mental Health First Aid. In this two-part training, you will learn how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health......More

Learn how to support your friends, families, and neighbors by becoming certified in Mental Health First Aid. In this two-part training, you will learn how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults. This training is intended for adults who are at least 18 years old. After the training, you will be able to: Recognize common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges Recognize common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges Understand how to interact with a person in crisis Know how to connect a person with help Use self-care tools and techniques To receive certification, participants must attend both Part 1 and Part 2 sessions. Part 1 is on January 24th; Part 2 is on January 31st. Each part is four hours with a break for participants to get lunch on their own.  Registration is required. Please register directly with Kennya Rodriguez at Momentum for Health at [email protected]. Trainings are conducted by Momentum for Health, a non-profit organization in Santa Clara County that helps people achieve mental and emotional health, discover their potential, and fully participate in life. These trainings are offered through support by a $2M Federal Earmark.