Palo Alto City Library

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

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 […]

Join us for a guided meditation experience with Sara.  Welcome to all experience levels.  This will be a seated meditation session that lasts about 30 minutes. 

Are you getting ready to apply for Medicare and are confused by the different plans to choose from? Join Sandra Karol, MS, RDMS, RVT, for a monthly workshop and learn more about the different plans that will work best for you and your family. Please register directly with Sandy at isail2@earthlink.net. Attendee limit is 10 people per […]

Whether you’re new to acting or already have experience, in this fun, no-pressure class, you’ll learn how to make any scene feel more real and more you. We will explore simple tools that help you get out of your head, connect with a partner, and bring truth and spontaneity to the moment. Come ready to […]

Join us for Tai Chi sessions with Nelson Ng! In this weekly class, participants will learn the basic principles and the philosophy behind Tai Chi, gaining flexibility and a better sense of balance through slow, gentle movement. Nelson started learning Chen's Tai Chi in 1989 from Master Gene Chen, who was a disciple of Grandmaster Feng ZhiQiang. […]

Mindfulness meditation is a wonderful way to develop clarity, discipline, and perspective as well as improve your mental and physical health. Join online sessions with Phuong Pham, a Buddhist nun experienced in the practice of meditation. Each session is 45 minutes of meditating together followed by 15 minutes of group sharing and Q&A led by […]

Looking for a place for a weekly silent writing session? Join us in Rinconada Library's spacious Embarcadero Room every Wednesday morning right after the library opens. Feel free to find a table in the library to continue writing until closing at 6 p.m.  It's not necessary to register but you will receive email reminders if you […]

Get ready for the SAT with a free workshop series led by Brian Stewart, author of Barron’s SAT/ACT prep books. The SAT Prep series breaks the test into clear, manageable steps and shows you the strategies top scorers use. Join one session or the whole series and walk into test day with confidence. January 7: SAT […]

Join us at the library for Year of Letters, a heartwarming program where people come together to create and send greeting cards!  Whether you want to brighten someone’s day, share a special message, or simply enjoy the art of card making, this is the perfect space to express yourself.  Come craft beautiful, handmade cards, meet fellow […]

Palo Alto Pageturners meets on the second Thursday of the month in the Embarcadero Room. At the end of each year, we suggest and vote on books to read and sometimes invite local authors to discuss their books.  You don't have to register, but you will receive a reminder email if you register. Here's our […]

Monthly book discussion on a graphic novel selected by the group! This program is for readers age 16 and up. 2025-2026 titles: September 11: Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud (1994), 224 pagesOctober 9: Artificial: A Love Story by Amy Kurzweil (2023), 368 pagesNovember 13: The Road by Cormac McCarthy (2024), 160 pagesDecember 11: The House […]

Don't miss this month's Friends of the Palo Alto Library Book Sale! There will be three rooms with over 70,000 books, CDs, DVDs, puzzles, etc., new & gently used, all sorted, very reasonably priced! Proceeds benefit the Palo Alto libraries.  For the safety and comfort of all participants, masks are suggested and room occupancy will be lower than usual. Please […]

Join us for a guided meditation experience with Sara.  Welcome to all experience levels.  This will be a seated meditation session that lasts about 30 minutes. 

Join us for a class in Chinese calligraphy with Jojo Liu.Chinese calligraphy is one of the most traditional art forms in the world and is truly representative of Eastern art and culture. Teacher Jojo Liu's grandfather inspired and taught her to practice Chinese calligraphy from a young age.  A current board member for the San […]

Come and improve your mental and physical health in mindfulness meditation sessions led by Phuong Pham. Each session is 45 minutes of sitting and/or walking meditation followed by 15 minutes of group sharing and Q&A. It is open to all levels of experience and no registration is required. Participants are encouraged to bring their own yoga […]

Do you have a sewing project but need the equipment and space? Are you interested in learning about the basics of a sewing machine? Open Sewing Studio is a space for both beginners looking to learn as well as experienced sewists looking for the time and space to work on their project. We will have sewing […]

Join us for Tai Chi sessions with Nelson Ng! In this weekly class, participants will learn the basic principles and the philosophy behind Tai Chi, gaining flexibility and a better sense of balance through slow, gentle movement. Nelson started learning Chen's Tai Chi in 1989 from Master Gene Chen, who was a disciple of Grandmaster Feng ZhiQiang. […]

The Zine Crew is excited to invite you to our all-ages zine workshop and swap! We invite you to join us on Sunday, Jan 18th, 2026 at the Rinconda Library in the Embarcadero Room. Activities include a mini-zine demo, time to create your zine(s), and an opportunity to swap zines with others! All supplies will […]

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

27th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observance and Sunrise CelebrationThe ALA annual Celebration commemorates Dr. King's legacy and recognizes the connection between his life's work and the library world. This year's Call-to-Action speaker is Amanda Jones, a 25-year educator, school librarian, and a grassroots organizer in Louisiana on the frontlines fighting against censorship in libraries. Visit […]

Join Youth Community Service (YCS) on Monday, January 19, 2026 to gather in community and honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mitchell Park Community Center You can find additional local service opportunities and events for all ages taking place Sunday 1/18 - Monday 1/19. For more details, contact YCS at YCS@youthcommunityservice.org

Join Librarian Jennifer (and Rocky Raccoon) on Tuesdays at 11:00 AM for Family Storytime at Children's 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!  BYOS (bring your own scarf)! Some of our songs use scarves as props. Bring something […]

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 […]

Mindfulness meditation is a wonderful way to develop clarity, discipline, and perspective as well as improve your mental and physical health. Join online sessions with Phuong Pham, a Buddhist nun experienced in the practice of meditation. Each session is 45 minutes of meditating together followed by 15 minutes of group sharing and Q&A led by […]

Looking for a place for a weekly silent writing session? Join us in Rinconada Library's spacious Embarcadero Room every Wednesday morning right after the library opens. Feel free to find a table in the library to continue writing until closing at 6 p.m.  It's not necessary to register but you will receive email reminders if you […]

Join Librarian Heidi on Wednesday mornings at 10:30AM for Little Ones Storytime at Children's Library. Storytime includes a variety of early literacy activities such as stories, songs, rhymes, and movement activities. Storytime is a fun and interactive experience for the whole family that promotes the joys of reading and learning for all ages. This program is […]

Our ESL (English as a Second Language) / Learn English conversation group program is a friendly and informal environment for adults (18 years old and older) to practice speaking and listening in English. It is designed for English learners who enjoy meeting friends from various ethnic backgrounds and learning conversational English in a casual setting. […]

Preserve your old photographs, home movies, records and cassettes! How to Access Check the Vintage Media Lab page. If appointments are still available for the month, click the Book@Mitchell Park button near the top of the page. Otherwise, check back on the first Monday of the month for another chance to sign up.Each appointment includes […]

Preserve your old photographs, home movies, records and cassettes! How to Access Check the Vintage Media Lab page. If appointments are still available for the month, click the Book@Mitchell Park button near the top of the page. Otherwise, check back on the first Monday of the month for another chance to sign up.Each appointment includes […]

Get ready for the SAT with a free workshop series led by Brian Stewart, author of Barron’s SAT/ACT prep books. The SAT Prep series breaks the test into clear, manageable steps and shows you the strategies top scorers use. Join one session or the whole series and walk into test day with confidence.Register Here

We are offering this Zoom presentation to help families of high school juniors, sophomores, and freshmen better understand the college admissions process and how to successfully navigate today’s changing landscape. The session will cover current admissions trends and strategies, the evolving test optional environment, the importance of researching and visiting colleges to find the right […]

Join Señorita Juliana for Bilingual Family Storytime at the College Terrace Library! Enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, and movement activities in Spanish and English. Please bring your own scarves and shakers, as shared supplies are limited. Storytime may be held indoors or outdoors depending on the weather. Follow us on YouTube for more stories, songs, and […]

Join us for a screening of The Librarians, which premiered at The Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Kim A Snyder, who is also a producer, and produced by Janique L Robillard and Maria Cuomo-Cole, this 83-minute documentary examines new strictures on school librarians. Book banning was nothing new to the world, but in October 2021, Texas State […]

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 […]

English as a Second Language (ESL) / Learn English: Beyond the Basics is an in-person 8-week class with lessons on English grammar, pronunciation, and idioms. It is for adult (18 years and older) intermediate and advanced English learners who can have a conversation in English and want to improve their pronunciation and understanding.  To register for […]

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 […]

Join us for a guided meditation experience with Sara.  Welcome to all experience levels.  This will be a seated meditation session that lasts about 30 minutes. 

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 […]

Join us on Saturdays at 11:00 AM for Family Storytime at Mitchell Park 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 […]

Come and improve your mental and physical health in mindfulness meditation sessions led by Phuong Pham. Each session is 45 minutes of sitting and/or walking meditation followed by 15 minutes of group sharing and Q&A. It is open to all levels of experience and no registration is required. Participants are encouraged to bring their own yoga […]

What if food waste could be transformed into gourmet meals for socially vulnerable communities? Renowned visionary chef Massimo Bottura, founder of the world’s best restaurant, brings together international culinary icons—such as Joan Roca, Alain Ducasse, and Virgilio Martí nez—to prove that food destined for the trash can become something far more meaningful. At the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, […]