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: Presidents' Day

All Palo Alto City libraries will be closed on Monday, February 16 for Presidents' 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

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 This is a two-part training: a 2-hour, self-paced virtual training and a 4-hour in-person training. To receive certification, participants must complete the virtual training at least one week prior to the February 21st in-person training. The in-person training includes 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] to get access to the virtual training and additional details. 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.

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!

External Event: Discover Your Path: A Career Exploration Event for Teens

Join this engaging and interactive event designed for teens and young adults eager to explore diverse career opportunities, gain valuable skills, and connect with professionals from various industries. The event will feature a career fair, panel discussions, hands-on......More

Join this engaging and interactive event designed for teens and young adults eager to explore diverse career opportunities, gain valuable skills, and connect with professionals from various industries. The event will feature a career fair, panel discussions, hands-on workshops, career development activities, networking opportunities, and giveaways. Don't miss this chance to take the next step toward your future! Learn More

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!

CANCELED: Line Dancing with Sandy and Kent

**There is no line dancing class in March and April. The class returns on May 7.** Join Sandy and Kent for a family-friendly line dancin......More

**There is no line dancing class in March and April. The class returns on May 7.** Join Sandy and Kent for a family-friendly line dancing class! Exercise your brain and body and enhance your balance while dancing to a variety of international music. No partner needed and beginners welcome! You are welcome to practice before and after by checking out their special playlist for this class. This class will take place in the Mitchell Park Bowl. (In the event of rain, the class will move to the Midtown Room inside the Mitchell Park Library.) Sandy and Kent have taught line dancing throughout the Bay Area for ten years. Learn more about them on their YouTube channel. Registration is not required. If you register, you will get an email reminder for the program including a link to the class playlist to practice.

Beyond the Divide: A Conversation on Belonging with john a. powell & Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt

In an era defined by political friction and social fragmentation, how do we move from "us vs. them" to "we"? Join the Palo Alto City Library, Silicon Valley Reads and Stanford University for an insightful evening at St......More

In an era defined by political friction and social fragmentation, how do we move from "us vs. them" to "we"? Join the Palo Alto City Library, Silicon Valley Reads and Stanford University for an insightful evening at Stanford’s Hauck Auditorium as part of Silicon Valley Reads, Bridges to Belonging. World-renowned social psychologist Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt (Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do) joins visionary legal scholar john a. powell (The Power of Bridging: How to Build a World Where we all Belong) to explore the roots of implicit bias and the architecture of othering. Join us to learn how to soothe tensions, bridge divides, and foster a sense of belonging in a complex world. john a. powell is Director of the Othering and Belonging Institute and Professor of Law, African American, and Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. He is a co-founder of the Poverty & Race Research Action Council and serves on the boards of several national and international organizations. john has taught at numerous law schools including Harvard and Columbia University. His latest books are Belonging Without Othering, How We Save Ourselves and the World and The Power of Bridging, How to Build a World Where We All Belong. A social psychologist at Stanford University, Jennifer L. Eberhardt conducts research on race and inequality. She not only highlights the negative impact that racial bias can have on us in these settings — she provides clear direction on what we can do about it. She joined the Stanford faculty in 1998, where she is currently The William R. Kimball Professor and a professor of organizational behavior at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Eberhardt is a frequent speaker on racial bias and inequality and has been invited by some of the world’s leading organizations to share her expertise. Her TED Talk, “How racial bias works… and how to disrupt it,” has received more than 3.3 million views. Registration is recommended to receive event updates and venue directions. The talk will take place in the Hauck Auditorium (435 Lasuen Mall, Stanford, CA 94305) on the Stanford Campus. Questions can be sent to [email protected]. 

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!

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. 

Nowruz New Year Celebration

Celebrate the arrival of spring and new beginnings this Nowruz! Join Palo Alto City Library for a fun-filled Nowruz celebration at the Mitchell Park Community Center.  The event will include: Performances by Ballet Afsaneh and Amir School of Music (Amir and Friends)......More

Celebrate the arrival of spring and new beginnings this Nowruz! Join Palo Alto City Library for a fun-filled Nowruz celebration at the Mitchell Park Community Center.  The event will include: Performances by Ballet Afsaneh and Amir School of Music (Amir and Friends)  Storytime featuring the work of author Anahita Tamaddon Crafts Please note: Parking is limited.