Tai Chi with Nelson Ng

Join us for a weekly Tai Chi session 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 and gentle movement.  Nelson started learning Che......More

Join us for a weekly Tai Chi session 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 and gentle movement.  Nelson started learning Chen's Tai Chi in 1989 from Master Gene Chen, who was a disciple of Grandmaster of Feng ZhiQiang. Nelson has been teaching since 2014. This class is free and open to beginners as well as those who have previous Tai Chi experience. People of all ages are welcome. You must sign in upon arrival.

External Event: FOPAL Book Sale

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......More

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 visit fopal.org for more information. Saturday Hours: Bargain Room 9:30am â 4pm Childrenâs Room 10am â 4pm Main Room 11am â 4pm Sunday Hours: All Rooms 1pm â 4pm

Family Storytime

Join Librarian Jennifer on Tuesdays at 11:00 AM for Family Storytime at Rinconada 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......More

Join Librarian Jennifer on Tuesdays at 11:00 AM for Family Storytime at Rinconada 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 scarf-like (any piece of fabric). Otherwise, you can always pretend! Make sure to follow us on YouTube for more stories, songs and rhymes, including a playlist of all of our favorite songs to sing!

Little Ones Storytime: Celebrate Jewish Heritage Month!

Join Librarian Heidi on Wednesday mornings at 10:30AM for Little Ones Storytime at Rinconada 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......More

Join Librarian Heidi on Wednesday mornings at 10:30AM for Little Ones Storytime at Rinconada 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 targeted to children under the age of two and their caregivers.

External Event: allcove Book Club

Join our friends at allcove for AAPI book club featuring American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang. Explore identity, culture, and storytelling th......More

Join our friends at allcove for AAPI book club featuring American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang. Explore identity, culture, and storytelling through this powerful graphic novel. This event series is for youth and young adults ages 12-25 years old. May 1, 6, & 15: Read & discuss the graphic novel. May 22 & 29: Watch the adaptation, compare, and discuss. Registration is encouraged but drop-ins are welcome.

External Event: 3rd Thursday on California Ave

Experience live music, local eats, and shopping at 3rd Thursdays on California Avenue. Musicians will perform at different spots along the avenue, offering a chance to discover and support local businesses. Enjoy additional attractions such as photo booth and community......More

Experience live music, local eats, and shopping at 3rd Thursdays on California Avenue. Musicians will perform at different spots along the avenue, offering a chance to discover and support local businesses. Enjoy additional attractions such as photo booth and community art. Sponsored by the City of Palo Alto and the Chamber of Commerce, this free monthly music series occurs every third Thursday and all are welcome. Join us on Cal Ave and be part of the festivities! Learn More February 20  â  Let's Grow Together March 20 â Youth Views  April 17  â  Greening Up Cal Ave May 15 â We are Two-gether June 19  â Local Libations July 17 â Summer Fun & Games August 21 â Taste of Cal Ave September 18 â Let's Dance October 16 â Sustainability Fun Fair November 20 â Thankscaring December 18 â Winter Lights

Writers Helping Writers: Finding a Publisher-A Dating Gameâand More

Trying to find a publisher is a little bit like finding that special someone you will spend a lot of time with. Using the analogy of a dating game, Tim Flood, author of his debut novel, The Flower of Canaan, to be published by Histria Books in 2026, will present his su......More

Trying to find a publisher is a little bit like finding that special someone you will spend a lot of time with. Using the analogy of a dating game, Tim Flood, author of his debut novel, The Flower of Canaan, to be published by Histria Books in 2026, will present his successful approach to finding a publisher and show you how he organized himself for that all-important and complex search. Of The Flower of Canaan, Tim says, "I was moved to write this story of the life of my heroic mother, who found a way to escape the terror of my father and also save the quality of her sonâs life." His novel is not a modern story, however. It is a perennial story. Set in the 13th century BCE in the ancient land of Canaan, a beautiful young girl, sold to the highest bidder, a cruel man, finds a way to escape with her son and to become a healer of women. Tim is midway through writing a sequel. "I write about heroes who move from darkness to light. California Writers Club-San Francisco Peninsula Branch members give presentations on the third Thursday of the month for anyone interested in writing. Writers Helping Writers resume for their third year giving excellent advice and pointers on writing, publishing marketing and more.  Writers Helping Writers will resume in September. Registration is not required, but if you register, you'll receive an email reminder the day before the event. Sign up for the library newsletter and never miss another program!

Meditation with Sara

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. 

External Event: Affordable Housing and Housing Resources Fair

Join the City of Palo Alto for the 2025 Affordable Housing and Housing Resources Fair. This free, family-friendly event brings together local nonprofits, housing providers, service organizations, and City and County staff to share information on affordable housing oppo......More

Join the City of Palo Alto for the 2025 Affordable Housing and Housing Resources Fair. This free, family-friendly event brings together local nonprofits, housing providers, service organizations, and City and County staff to share information on affordable housing opportunities, housing rehabilitation support, and other housing-related services. Whether you're a renter, homeowner, or someone who works in Palo Alto, this is a great opportunity to learn more about the resources available in the community. Come connect with organizations, ask questions, and learn about programs that may be available to you or someone you know.  For more details, visit: paloalto.gov/housingfair

Musicians in Residence: Nathan's Fearless Five!

DON'T MISS THEIR FINAL PERFORMANCE AT RINCONADA LIBRARY! Rinconada Library bids a fond farewell to our first Musicians in Residence, Nathan's Fearless Five, playing the finest in swing and jazz. Founded in October 2021 at Carlmont High School, Nathan's Fearless Five h......More

DON'T MISS THEIR FINAL PERFORMANCE AT RINCONADA LIBRARY! Rinconada Library bids a fond farewell to our first Musicians in Residence, Nathan's Fearless Five, playing the finest in swing and jazz. Founded in October 2021 at Carlmont High School, Nathan's Fearless Five has played the Embarcadero Room every month during the school year since December 2022. Read more about them in Palo Alto Online and listen to their January 19 performance here. And stay tuned for exciting developments in the fall.

Tai Chi with Nelson Ng

Join us for a weekly Tai Chi session 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 and gentle movement.  Nelson started learning Che......More

Join us for a weekly Tai Chi session 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 and gentle movement.  Nelson started learning Chen's Tai Chi in 1989 from Master Gene Chen, who was a disciple of Grandmaster of Feng ZhiQiang. Nelson has been teaching since 2014. This class is free and open to beginners as well as those who have previous Tai Chi experience. People of all ages are welcome. You must sign in upon arrival.

Sojourners to Joke Sings: Tales of Chinatown and Beyond with Author Ron Lee

Join us for a captivating author reading featuring Ron Lee and his daughters, Meredith and Alison Lee, as they present Sojourners to Joke Sings: Tales of Chinatown and Beyond. This extraordinary work is based on the recently discovered memoir of LK Lennie Lee (1923-202......More

Join us for a captivating author reading featuring Ron Lee and his daughters, Meredith and Alison Lee, as they present Sojourners to Joke Sings: Tales of Chinatown and Beyond. This extraordinary work is based on the recently discovered memoir of LK Lennie Lee (1923-2021), Ron's mother, who left behind remarkable stories originally intended for her grandchildren. The book explores a unique perspective on Chinese American immigration history, from pre-Gold Rush settlement in what would become San Francisco to adventures throughout the American West. Learn about the mystery behind China Beach's name, connections to Robert Louis Stevenson, and a family's journey from hardship to success over generations. Rather than focusing solely on the undeniable challenges of racism and xenophobia, this presentation highlights the courage, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of early Chinese immigrants whose descendants continue to thrive in San Francisco today. This free event will take place on May 18, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM at the Mitchell Park Community Center, Adobe Room (3700 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto).  Registration recommended (for a reminder email) but not required! 

Master Gardeners: Don't Squish That Bug! Recognizing Beneficial Insects in the Garden

Our gardens are home to a host of insects that prey upon or parasitize the insects that attack our plants. Master Gardener Candace Simpson will help you learn how to recognize these ânatural enemies,â distinguish them from common pest insects, and encourage them to mak......More

Our gardens are home to a host of insects that prey upon or parasitize the insects that attack our plants. Master Gardener Candace Simpson will help you learn how to recognize these ânatural enemies,â distinguish them from common pest insects, and encourage them to make your garden their home.  The program is free to attend, no registration is required. 

STEAM Lab: Science Popularization Foundation

Join us for a special STEAM Lab led by Mingdiâs Science Popularization Foundation, a non-profit organization run by Mingdi Duan and Paly sophomore Xuaner Duan. Their goal is to spark innovation, creativity, and give young learners a quick glance into the fascinating fi......More

Join us for a special STEAM Lab led by Mingdiâs Science Popularization Foundation, a non-profit organization run by Mingdi Duan and Paly sophomore Xuaner Duan. Their goal is to spark innovation, creativity, and give young learners a quick glance into the fascinating field of STEAM. This program offers hands-on science experiments and short lessons designed for elementary and middle school students. Participants will be working with magnets, food coloring, plastic cups, screws, copper wires, batteries, and salt. Activities include, but are not limited to, generating electricity through saltwater, visualizing the electromagnetic and magnetic fields, and learning how colors mix.

Family Storytime

Join Librarian Jennifer on Tuesdays at 11:00 AM for Family Storytime at Rinconada 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......More

Join Librarian Jennifer on Tuesdays at 11:00 AM for Family Storytime at Rinconada 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 scarf-like (any piece of fabric). Otherwise, you can always pretend! Make sure to follow us on YouTube for more stories, songs and rhymes, including a playlist of all of our favorite songs to sing!

Little Ones Storytime: Celebrate AANHPI Month!

Join Librarian Heidi on Wednesday mornings at 10:30AM for Little Ones Storytime at Rinconada 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......More

Join Librarian Heidi on Wednesday mornings at 10:30AM for Little Ones Storytime at Rinconada 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 targeted to children under the age of two and their caregivers.