The Art of Noticing: A Nature Journaling Adventure

Slow down, look closer, and deepen your connection with nature. The Art of Noticing guides you through observation, sketching, and reflective writing to enhance mindfulness, creativity, and ecological awareness. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned journaler, this ad......More

Slow down, look closer, and deepen your connection with nature. The Art of Noticing guides you through observation, sketching, and reflective writing to enhance mindfulness, creativity, and ecological awareness. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned journaler, this adventure will help you see the natural world with fresh eyes and record its wonders with greater intention.

Tai Chi

Join Tai Chi instructor Ben Dineen in the Native Plant Garden as he leads a sixty-minute class open to all ability levels. This centuries-old Asian exercise builds stronger bodies, better balance, a sharper mind and is a great stress reliever.

Family Storytime

Come along on an imaginary adventure for Family Storytime! Hear new stories, sing songs and learn wiggles that the whole family can enjoy together, from toddlers to grown-ups. Capacity limits may apply.

Bookmobile Stop

Check us out! The Bookmobile extends full library services to residents in rural areas. We have books, DVDs, and the Library of Things. Materials are available in English and other languages for children and ad......More

Check us out! The Bookmobile extends full library services to residents in rural areas. We have books, DVDs, and the Library of Things. Materials are available in English and other languages for children and adults. Come visit us!

Mr. SHAP's Balloon Twisting & Magic Show

Get ready for fun with Mr. SHAP! His magic is a mixture of using cards, scarves, balloons (and much more) to amaze, amuse, and entertain. This magic show is filled with audience participation and humor. He also makes amazing balloon creations that range beyond lions,......More

Get ready for fun with Mr. SHAP! His magic is a mixture of using cards, scarves, balloons (and much more) to amaze, amuse, and entertain. This magic show is filled with audience participation and humor. He also makes amazing balloon creations that range beyond lions, tigers, and bears (oh my)!

Paws for Tales

Do you have a reluctant reader? Sign your child up to have their own session to practice reading with a therapy dog at the library. Studies show that children who may not want to read in front of their peers are much less anxious with an animal present. Children don't ......More

Do you have a reluctant reader? Sign your child up to have their own session to practice reading with a therapy dog at the library. Studies show that children who may not want to read in front of their peers are much less anxious with an animal present. Children don't perceive animals as judgmental, and reading to an animal helps them become more confident readers. We’d like to thank our partners for making this possible: Pet Assisted Therapy teams and their handlers from the Peninsula Humane Society & the SPCA's Paws for Tales program. Registration is required and space is limited, so register early for your 10-minute slot.

Knitting Workshop

Beginner & Intermediate Knitting Workshop for anyone who wants to learn how to knit and/or practice their techniques in a warm and social environment. We have a few beginner projects to start with or you can bring your own project to work on. All are welcome!

California Mahjong: Advanced Lessons

Enjoying California Mahjong and ready to dive into scoring and strategy? Come join the "next level" 5-week advanced workshop and hone your California Mahjong skills. Our focus will be scoring each hand using the popular California Mahjong scoring style, looking for sp......More

Enjoying California Mahjong and ready to dive into scoring and strategy? Come join the "next level" 5-week advanced workshop and hone your California Mahjong skills. Our focus will be scoring each hand using the popular California Mahjong scoring style, looking for specialty mahjong hands and learning defensive play and strategy. Mahjong is more than a game; it's a social event! About the instructor: With a passion for learning, fun, and the power of building lifelong skills, Shelley Williamson is bringing people together to learn and enjoy California Mahjong. Seeing the joy on her students' faces as they learn this game of strategy and luck, while having a blast, is her ultimate reward.

Baby Bounce Storytime

Baby storytime centers around parent/caregiver-child interactions. This storytime is developmentally appropriate for newborns and babies up to 18 months old. Please join us for rhymes, lap bounces, singing, instruments and a book or two. 

Wordside: Creative Writing Group

Have a novel, poem, essay or memoir in the works? Interested in hearing what others are writing? Join our creative writing group to exchange constructive, encouraging feedback with other writers and readers. All are welcome!

Secrets of Stunning Photographs With Any Camera: How to Capture Your Best Travel Photos

Join us as we welcome Mary Bartnikowski for a photography workshop. Mary is an award-winning photographer, author of 6 books, and a world traveler of 34 countries. No prior experience is necessary. Just bring your own camera and a fully charged phone. Participants will......More

Join us as we welcome Mary Bartnikowski for a photography workshop. Mary is an award-winning photographer, author of 6 books, and a world traveler of 34 countries. No prior experience is necessary. Just bring your own camera and a fully charged phone. Participants will view a slide show of Mary’s travel photography, learn about angle, light, and composition, and engage in a practical photo-taking exercise.

African Village Experience With Onye Onyemaechi

Join the San Mateo County Libraries (SMCL) for drumming with Onye Onyemaechi, world-renowned Master African percussionist, performer, author and speaker. Onye brings the joy and soul of African culture and the celebration of village life for anyone who has the opportun......More

Join the San Mateo County Libraries (SMCL) for drumming with Onye Onyemaechi, world-renowned Master African percussionist, performer, author and speaker. Onye brings the joy and soul of African culture and the celebration of village life for anyone who has the opportunity to experience this program. Drumming has a healing component to it, so join us in this interactive and holistic experience.

Dim Sum Tote Bag Painting

Join us for a fun tote bag painting workshop where you'll decorate a bag with the most delicious dim sum designs. This hands-on, step-by-step guided session is open to all skill levels, and all materials will be provided. This workshop is in collaboration with James Me......More

Join us for a fun tote bag painting workshop where you'll decorate a bag with the most delicious dim sum designs. This hands-on, step-by-step guided session is open to all skill levels, and all materials will be provided. This workshop is in collaboration with James Mertke, a local acrylic painter from San Jose. Due to high demand, we ask that community members sign up for a single occurrence of this series so that as many community members as possible can participate in this experience. Registration is required to attend. Class is limited to 12 spots. Register in person at the Portola Valley or Woodside Libraries.

Tai Chi

Join Tai Chi instructor Ben Dineen in the Native Plant Garden as he leads a sixty-minute class open to all ability levels. This centuries-old Asian exercise builds stronger bodies, better balance, a sharper mind and is a great stress reliever.

Family Storytime

Come along on an imaginary adventure for Family Storytime! Hear new stories, sing songs and learn wiggles that the whole family can enjoy together, from toddlers to grown-ups. Capacity limits may apply.