Palo Alto libraries

Palo Alto takes its libraries seriously. The city has five branches for a population of about 68,000, voters approved a $76 million bond in 2008 to rebuild and renovate them and the buildings range from a 1930s cottage-style branch to a glassy modern flagship. They are free, open most days and useful even for visitors, who can drop in to read, work or join a public program.

This guide walks through each branch, explains who can get a card, lists the services that surprise first-timers and covers how members of the public can get into Stanford's research libraries. Hours below come from the library's own website in October 2026. Check the "Is the library open today?" page before you go, especially around holidays.

The five branches

Mitchell Park Library

The largest branch sits at 3700 Middlefield Road in south Palo Alto. The original Mitchell Park branch opened in 1958. It was replaced by a new library and community center that held its grand opening in December 2014 as part of a $46 million project. The library alone covers more than 40,000 square feet, built around a courtyard with a coast live oak. Expect a big children's area, computer labs and a teen center in the complex. The Magical Bridge Playground is next door, which makes this the family favorite.

Rinconada Library

Rinconada, at 1213 Newell Road, was the city's main library for decades. Edward Durell Stone, the architect of the later City Hall, designed the building, which opened in 1958. It closed for a major renovation in 2013 funded by the Measure N bond and reopened with a new wing, a 100-person meeting room and its new name. It is a short walk from the Art Center and Rinconada Park. Rinconada hosts the library's Seed Library. The library describes a second location of its Vintage Media Lab, where you can digitize old tapes and photos by appointment, as planned for Rinconada.

Downtown Library

The Downtown Library at 270 Forest Avenue is the closest branch to University Avenue. It was the first building renovated under Measure N. It is a compact, quiet branch that works well for an hour of reading or laptop work between errands in downtown Palo Alto.

Children's Library

The Children's Library at 1276 Harriet Street opened in 1940. Lucie Stern paid for it in honor of her daughter Ruth. Birge Clark designed it in his Spanish Colonial Revival style. The city calls it the oldest freestanding children's library in the country. It closed for a major renovation in December 2005 and reopened on September 29, 2007, with community donors covering much of the cost. Behind it is a small secret garden inspired by Frances Hodgson Burnett's story, with roses and picnic tables.

College Terrace Library

The smallest branch, the College Terrace Library, is at 2300 Wellesley Street in College Terrace, a few blocks from the Stanford campus. Charles K. Sumner designed it in 1936. It closed for about a year for earthquake retrofitting and upgrades and reopened on November 9, 2010.

Hours at a glance

These were the posted weekly hours in late October 2026.

Mitchell Park is the only branch open until 9 p.m., four nights a week. On Sundays and Mondays only Mitchell Park and Rinconada are open.

Getting a library card

The library's card registration policy is simple. Anyone who lives in California can get a full card. You do not have to live in Palo Alto.

• Bring a current photo ID, such as a driver's license, passport or student ID.
• Bring proof of a current California address, such as a utility bill or bank statement from the last two months or a lease.
• Children under 14 sign up with a parent or guardian who meets the same rules.
• Visitors from outside California cannot get a full card. They can still use the buildings and free Wi-Fi and can register for a short internet pass or an internet-only card.

A card unlocks more than books. The library lists free 24/7 online tutoring for K-12 students through the California State Library, the Brainfuse HelpNow service, Consumer Reports access and comics through Comics Plus. It also lends some unusual items, such as an induction cooktop kit. Questions go to the main line at (650) 329-2436.

Programs and events

The library runs a full calendar for all ages, listed on its events page. Regulars include:

• Storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers at several branches.
• Book clubs, plus the community reading program Palo Alto Reads, whose most recent posted pick dates from 2023.
• Game On! sessions and programs from the Teen Library Advisory Board.
• Cultural celebrations. Mitchell Park's Festival of Lights for Diwali, run under the city's Celebrating Cultures initiative, has included dance, rangoli and lantern making.
• Technology help and the Vintage Media Lab, by appointment.

Families with young children can also sign up for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library through the city. For more rainy day ideas, see our guide to Palo Alto with kids.

The Friends of the Library book sale

The Friends of the Palo Alto Library raise money with a large used book sale held most months at the Cubberley Community Center, 4000 Middlefield Road. The sale fills a main room, a bargain room and a children's room. Saturday has the longest hours, while Sunday is a shorter afternoon session. The next sale listed on the Friends' website is November 14 and 15, 2026, with a music pop-up on the Saturday.

Visiting Stanford's libraries

Stanford's libraries are built for students and faculty, but the public is not shut out. Stanford's visitor access page sets out the rules:

1. Day passes. Visitors can use up to seven day passes a year (14 for Stanford alumni) for research or to attend a public event.
2. Registering. Sign up in person at Green Library, the Bowes Art and Architecture Library, the East Asia Library or the Music Library. Bring an original government-issued photo ID. Staff take your photo and ask you to state your research purpose.
3. Minors. Anyone under 18 must stay with an adult who has acceptable ID.
4. Beyond seven days. Independent researchers can buy access cards, from $35 for two weeks to $450 a year, or access and borrowing cards from $325 for three months to $1,000 a year.
5. Exclusions. Visitor cards do not cover the Law, Lane Medical, Hoover Institution or Graduate School of Business libraries.

Visitor Wi-Fi is available across campus and public computers are in every library. For the best free visit, head to the David Rumsey Map Center on the fourth floor of Green Library. Its drop-in hours vary week to week, typically Wednesday and Thursday afternoons and most of Friday. Guided tours run on Fridays. Check its hours page first. Our visiting Stanford guide covers parking and the free Marguerite shuttle.

A short history

Palo Alto's first city librarian started work in 1899. A Carnegie library built with a $10,000 grant opened downtown on November 1, 1904. It was expanded twice, then demolished in 1967 to make room for the current City Hall. A 1956 bond paid for both the main library and the first Mitchell Park branch, which opened in 1958. The 2008 Measure N bond funded the modern round of rebuilding that gave the city its current set of branches. If you like old buildings, our guide to Palo Alto architecture covers the Children's Library and Rinconada in more detail.

Frequently asked questions