Library and Community Services Newsletter - Sept. 5, 2026

Sept. 5, 2026

Quote of the week

"There is, one knows not what sweet mystery about this sea, whose gently awful stirrings seem to speak of some hidden soul beneath; like those fabled undulations of the Ephesian sod over the buried Evangelist St. John. And meet it is, that over these sea-pastures, wide-rolling watery prairies and Potters' Fields of all four continents, the waves should rise and fall, and ebb and flow unceasingly; for here, millions of mixed shades and shadows, drowned dreams, somnambulisms, reveries; all that we call lives and souls, lie dreaming, dreaming, still; tossing like slumberers in their beds; the ever-rolling waves but made so by their restlessness."

– Herman Melville, Moby-Dick, Or, The Whale

Teen College and Career Day – Last week to register

Discover the pathway to your future! Join us for Teen College and Career Day to connect with admissions staff from local community colleges, California State Universities, University of California campuses, private colleges and representatives from vocational schools, local community organizations and the military. Attendees will have access to free educational presentations on financial aid, scholarships and grants and personal branding for teens. Register early for a chance to win special prizes! Join us on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more and register.

Big Blanket Outdoor Movie: Moana 2

Bring a big blanket, pack your favorite snacks and join us in the park for an evening screening of Moana 2! Dress up in island-inspired outfits or like your favorite characters from the movie. This free event is open to all ages. Join us on Friday, Sept. 18, from 6–8 p.m. at Hamilton Park, 531 Hamilton Ave. Learn more.

This event received funding support from Westlight Energy.

Family Fun Night at Burgess Pool

Join us for Family Fun Night at Burgess Pool and get your aloha on! Enjoy a slice of paradise during an evening filled with water games, music and family fun. The Wading Pool will be open for the little ones to enjoy. No registration is required. All the fun is included with the price of your Open Swim admission. Participate on Friday, Sept. 11, from 5–7 p.m. at Burgess Pool, 501 Laurel St. Learn more.

Library Makes: Bird Wind Chimes

Join us for an afternoon of hands-on crafting as we make bird wind chimes. Participate on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 2–3:30 p.m. at Belle Haven Library, Makerspace, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

New pool hours

The pools are open over Labor Day weekend, but beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8, Burgess Pool and Belle Haven Pool will implement new hours that were adopted as part of balancing the City's budget for fiscal year 2026-27. Learn more about the changes to the pool hours or view full pool schedules.

BELLE HAVEN POOL HOURS

Monday–Friday: 3–7 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

BURGESS POOL HOURS

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 6 a.m.–1 p.m. and 3–8 p.m.
Tuesday, Thurdsay: 6–10 a.m. and noon–8 p.m.
Saturday: 6 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sunday: 7 a.m.–4 p.m.

California Book Group

Join our California Book Group to discuss Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto. Vera Wong lives above her forgotten tea shop in the middle of San Francisco's Chinatown. One morning, Vera trudges downstairs to find a dead man in the middle of the shop, a flash drive in his outstretched hand. After calling the cops like any good citizen would, she swipes the flash drive from the body and tucks it safely into her apron. Why? Because Vera is sure she would do a better job investigating than the police possibly could. Participate on Sunday, Sept. 13, from 3–4:15 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

More free literary and cultural programs

These free literary and cultural programs received funding support from Friends of Menlo Park Library.

Fiction Book Group. Join us online to discuss Clear by Carys Davies on Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 6:30–7:45 p.m. Learn more.
Virtual Museum Visit. We're paying a virtual visit to the Museum of Us in San Diego! We'll explore the museum's exhibition, "Hostile Terrain 94," where we'll look at U.S. border policy history and its impacts. Participate online via Zoom on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 6–7 p.m. Learn more.
Music with Gamelan Sekar Swarasanti. Join us to enjoy the beautiful music and spectacle of an Indonesian gamelan orchestra on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 1–2 p.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.
Co-writing Workshop. Join us for fun prompts, free writes and literary community as you connect with other writers to discuss and share creative works with like-minded people. Participate on Sunday, Sept. 13, from 2–3 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
Melanated Women Read. Melanated Women Read is a book discussion group by and especially for Black women. This month, we will discuss The Street by Ann Petry online via Zoom on Monday, Sept. 14, from 6:30–8 p.m. Learn more.
Teen Book Group. Check out our book group, just for teens ages 12-17! Join us to discuss this month's book, Geek Girl by Holly Smale. Participate on Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 4:30–5:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
Mystery Readers Group: Animal Sleuths. Many detectives have animal companions, but have you ever wished for more of their furry friends' perspectives? In the books for this month's mystery readers, the animal protagonists take center stage. Join us online via Zoom on Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 6–7:15 p.m. Learn more.
Grief and Community: Learning to Support One Another. Explore the many ways grief is experienced and discover compassionate ways to support one another and build community. Join us on Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 6–7 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

Check out more free community programs
The above was just a sample of the many free activities hosted by the City of Menlo Park this week. Check out the community events calendar to see them all!

See more free programs

Holiday closure

The City of Menlo Park will be closed this Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of Labor Day. Learn more.

Fall activity season

The City of Menlo Park hosts a wide range of high-quality classes for all ages at reasonable rates, including fitness, dance, sports, gymnastics, music, drama, arts and crafts, lifelong learning and more. Browse classes and register.