Ikebana Demonstration & Workshop

Ikebana is the art of Japanese flower arrangement. Ikebana uses branches, flowers and leaves to create elegant arrangements emphasizing artistic lines, colors, and mass. Instructor Gloria Lee has been teaching and demonstrating Ikebana for years. All levels of experien......More

Ikebana is the art of Japanese flower arrangement. Ikebana uses branches, flowers and leaves to create elegant arrangements emphasizing artistic lines, colors, and mass. Instructor Gloria Lee has been teaching and demonstrating Ikebana for years. All levels of experience are welcome. Gloria Lee has been teaching and demonstrating ikebana in the Bay Area since 2007. She has showcased her arrangements in many flower shows in cities throughout the area, including Bouquets to Art at the San Francisco De Young Museum. 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.

Mindfulness and the Art of Looking

Looking mindfully helps us be fully in the moment. Take a moment and be inspired! Expand your observation process through mindfulness practices to help increase awareness and mindful presence. 

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.

Intro to Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop CC is the industry-standard software for creating and editing stunning images, graphics, and designs. Whether you want to enhance your photos, create digital art, or design logos, flyers, posters, and more, Photoshop CC can help you achieve your creativ......More

Adobe Photoshop CC is the industry-standard software for creating and editing stunning images, graphics, and designs. Whether you want to enhance your photos, create digital art, or design logos, flyers, posters, and more, Photoshop CC can help you achieve your creative goals. In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of Photoshop CC. This program requires participants to have basic computer skills, including familiarity with using a mouse and basic file management.

Creating Tart-Shaped Candles

Create beautifully detailed tart-shaped candles that add a touch of sweetness and elegance to any space. All candles are made from 100% natural, safe wax—using only soy wax and beeswax. Customize the colors and styles of your candles to make them truly unique. To ma......More

Create beautifully detailed tart-shaped candles that add a touch of sweetness and elegance to any space. All candles are made from 100% natural, safe wax—using only soy wax and beeswax. Customize the colors and styles of your candles to make them truly unique. To make this program available to the widest audience possible and to accommodate our waitlist, please only register for one instance of this event. We will offer a limited number of registrations both online and in person. Class is limited to 12 spots. Register in person at the Portola Valley or Woodside Libraries.

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. 

Teen Study Hall

Need a quiet space to study for finals week, or work on final class assignments? The Learning Center will be available for teens only on Thursdays May 15, 22, and 29. Hot tea will be available, as well as stress relieving quiet activities and fidgets.  Students can al......More

Need a quiet space to study for finals week, or work on final class assignments? The Learning Center will be available for teens only on Thursdays May 15, 22, and 29. Hot tea will be available, as well as stress relieving quiet activities and fidgets.  Students can also take a study break and walk around the Woodside Library Garden. Need a place to meet with your study group? There are tables and study spaces in the library for quiet discussion and study. 

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!

Lego Club

Join us on Fridays for LEGO Club! Relax in the afternoon and flex your creativity and architectural skills by building with LEGOs.

Scented Sachet & Calligraphy Workshop

Learn the traditions and customs of the Dragon Boat Festival while creating your personalized “平安” (peace and safety) scented sachets for protection and well-being. We will tackle the fundamentals of Chinese calligraphy, including the Four Treasures of the Study (brush......More

Learn the traditions and customs of the Dragon Boat Festival while creating your personalized “平安” (peace and safety) scented sachets for protection and well-being. We will tackle the fundamentals of Chinese calligraphy, including the Four Treasures of the Study (brush, ink, paper, and inkstone) and essential brushstroke techniques. 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.

Book Group

Join us for a lively discussion of select fiction and non-fiction books on the first Monday of the month (excluding holidays).

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.

Summer Adventure Kickoff: Face Painting Fun

Let your self-expression and creativity soar with artist Cassie Levy's face painting!

Summer Adventure Kickoff Party!

Get ready to kick off summer in style at the library! Join us for an afternoon packed with fun for the whole family—Haopinaka Hawaiian music and dance, colorful face painting, a thrilling scavenger hunt, and more. Plus, don’t forget to pick up your free book to start y......More

Get ready to kick off summer in style at the library! Join us for an afternoon packed with fun for the whole family—Haopinaka Hawaiian music and dance, colorful face painting, a thrilling scavenger hunt, and more. Plus, don’t forget to pick up your free book to start your Summer Adventure off right! Whether you're dancing to tropical tunes, searching for hidden treasures, or showing off your new face paint masterpiece, there’s something for everyone. Let the summer fun begin!

Summer Adventure Kickoff: Haopinaka Hawaiian Music and Dance

Haopinaka brings the spirit of aloha to San Mateo County Libraries! Experience an educational and entertaining performance that weaves Hawaiian history, culture, language, music and dance from Haopinaka! They are a San Francisco-based group that provides the beauty and......More

Haopinaka brings the spirit of aloha to San Mateo County Libraries! Experience an educational and entertaining performance that weaves Hawaiian history, culture, language, music and dance from Haopinaka! They are a San Francisco-based group that provides the beauty and experience of Hawaiian music and hula dance.