Palo Alto City Library Homepage

Featured

Featured

Holiday Hours

Check our upcoming holiday hours as you plan your visits to the library.

Voter Resources: December Special Election

Santa Clara County Assessor special runoff election is Dec. 30, 2025. Find voter registration info, polling locations, and key deadlines.

Your Voice in the Library’s Strategic Plan

Tell us what matters to you. Share your priorities in the library’s community survey by January 20, 2026.

What's New

What's New

Staff Picks

Staff Picks

Top Checkouts of 2025: Adult Books

Discover the most popular picks in adult fiction and nonfiction.

Top Checkouts of 2025: YA Books

This year's most checked-out young adult titles included manga and dystopian hits.

Top Checkouts of 2025: Kids Books

Graphic novels topped this year’s list, with Dog Man and The Baby-sitters Club leading the way. See what else readers loved!

Top Checkouts of 2025: Movies & TV

See what was popular in movies and series this past year!

eLibrary News

eLibrary News

Vintage Media Lab (VML) 2026 Bookings Reboot

Beginning in January 2026, we’re upgrading how appointments become available.

Read Library eBooks on Your Kindle Paperwhite

Learn how to send Libby eBooks to your Kindle Paperwhite in a just a few short steps!

Historical Photos of the Children's Library

Did you know the first freestanding library in the United States intended solely for children is in your neighborhood? As seen at our…

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Events

Handmade with Love

The winter holidays are a great time of year to make handmade gifts for your family and friends.

Migrate to Foothills Nature Preserve to See Tarantulas

Tarantula migration season is upon us! Borrow a Foothills Parks Pass to observe these creatures in the wild.

If You Loved K-Pop Demon Hunters...

Are you obsessed with the second-best movie of 2025 (after Sinners, of course!)? Check out some titles inspired by the hit Netflix movie!

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YA Reads for Trans Day of Remembrance

Explore these Young Adult titles celebrating trans and nonbinary characters and authors.

Teen Reads: Mental Health Matters

Check out these stories that share different experiences around mental health.

Teen Volunteering

Learn more about how to get involved with local service opportunities for teens in Palo Alto, both online and in-person.

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Events

Storytimes On Break

Storytimes will be on break through January 12. Here are great resources to keep practicing and reading together.

Celebrating Palo Alto Children's Library

Learn more about the first freestanding library in the United States intended solely for children.

Family Resources at the Library: TK-5th Grade

Support your child's learning with a variety of literacy-based programs and resources available through the library.
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