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Happy New Year! The Palo Alto City Library looks forward to a safe, happy and healthy 2022 for our entire planet! We look forward to expanding more hours, adding new staff and bringing you the best in materials, events and services this coming year!

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Check out PACL Staff's Best of 2021 list to see what we enjoyed reading, listening to and watching last year. If you're hoping to read more in 2022 and need some recommendations, try our Shelf Made service, and let our librarians suggest your next title! And if you’re a parent or caregiver looking to help a child find their next book, read our Book Recommendations by Reading Level post to get started.

Come Visit Us!

All five branches are open for browsing, pickups, studying and computer use. Masks are required for all visitors 3 years and up regardless of vaccination status, and seating is still limited for social distancing.

Hours of Operation:

Children's Library:
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Saturdays: 1–5 PM 
College Terrace Library:
- Thursdays & Fridays: 1–5 PM 
Downtown Library:
- Thursdays & Fridays: 1–5 PM 
Mitchell Park Library:
- Tuesday–Thursday: 11 AM–8 PM
- Fridays & Saturdays: 12–6 PM
Rinconada Library:
- Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays: 10 AM–6 PM
- Thursdays: 12–8 PM

Keep up with all the changes to our Current Library Services and Reopening Plans on our website.

Virtual Events

Join us for some exciting January virtual events, including:

Kids Events:

Our Virtual Storytimes are back on Facebook Live, starting Tuesday, January 4! Join us every Tuesday–Friday at 11 AM for a fun-filled storytime.
Sensory Storytime starts January 5 and runs every Wednesday at 11 AM on Facebook through January 26! This storytime is a fun, interactive, educational program designed exclusively for young children with autism or sensory processing challenges. We engage the senses through music, movement, stories, and play in a virtual setting. Find each week’s outline with songs and titles in our virtual events calendar.

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Teen Events:

Discover Gap Years! Join us for this informative workshop on Wednesday, January 19 and find out if a gap year is right for you. Register for this event to receive the Zoom link!

Adult Events:

If you’re hoping to read more in 2022, drop into our ESL, Brown Bag, or Stay Woke Book Clubs this month!
ESL Conversation Group restarts on Wednesday, January 12 at 11 AM! Join us weekly for a virtual session to practice your English! Registration is required.
Income Tax Preparation by VITA: Our VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) IRS-certified volunteers are back to provide free basic 2021 income tax return preparation to qualified individuals at Mitchell Park Library. Assistance is offered every Saturday from January 29 through April 16 from 10–3 PM by appointment only! Appointment information will be added to our online calendar soon. Please note that this service is subject to change if the Library cannot host due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

eLibrary

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Reach your goals in 2022!

Whether you're looking to build your skills for academic, professional, or personal development, we have you covered. Access these top learning platforms for free through September 30, 2022:

These resources are funded by the California State Library and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Workforce Development & Support program.

Staff Picks

Need an idea for what to read next? Our librarians are enjoying The Cold Vanish, A Dream Called Home, Be Not Far From Me, Going There, East of Eden, and Razorblade Tears.

Check out our staff-curated lists or ask a librarian for recommendations through our Shelf Made service.