Library and Community Services Newsletter - April 4, 2026

April 4, 2026

Quote of the week

"You must see with eyes unclouded by hate. See the good in that which is evil, and the evil in that which is good. Pledge yourself to neither side, but vow instead to preserve the balance that exists between the two."

– Hayao Miyazaki, Co-founder of Studio Ghibli

Closure notices

The Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, Arrillaga Family Gymnasium, Arrillaga Family Gymnastics Center, Menlo Park Library and Belle Haven Library are closed today, April 4, while staff support the Spring Festival and Egg Hunt at Burgess Park, 701 Laurel St. The Spring Festival will take place from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Stop by to enjoy the festivities! Learn more.

Fun Run priority registration ends today

Today is the last day to sign up for the Community Fun Run to be guaranteed a medal and t-shirt! Participants aged six and older of all fitness levels are welcome to join us for our first fun run (or walk if you prefer). The run will start at Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave., and travel around the beautiful scenery of Bedwell Bayfront Park on April 25. Learn more.

Love Our Earth

After the Fun Run, stop by to celebrate our communities and our land with a plant-based food market, fun climate games, family-friendly activities, storytime by a Menlo Park librarian and more. Participate on Saturday, April 25, from noon–3 p.m. at Cesar Chevez Ravenswood Middle School, 2450 Ralmar Ave., East Palo Alto. Learn more.

Free Middle and High School Success Classes

The Blueprint offers free classes designed to help middle and high school students build the skills needed to excel in high school, college and beyond. Right now, the City of Menlo Park is offering two workshops by The Blueprint each month on select Tuesdays from 4:30–6 p.m. at Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave. Reserve your free spot.

April 14 – Backwards Planning (College to Career): Learn how to backward plan your academic journey to college.
April 28 – Finding your Interest and Extracurriculars (Leadership): Explore your extracurricular interests and discuss how to strengthen your leadership skills in clubs.

Japanese American History events

Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., is hosting two months of special programming to bring Japanese American history and culture to life.

One Book, One Coast is a shared reading experience that celebrates literacy, learning, community and civil discourse. Participating libraries will read and discuss They Called Us Enemy by George Takei. Learn more.
Am I An American or Am I Not? Stop in for this special exhibition that explores historic and modern-day events that parallel aspects of the incarceration of Japanese Americans. The exhibition is viewable during library open hours through May 17.
Yoshiko Kanazawa: A Wartime Journey. Yoshiko Kanazawa, a resident of San Jose and docent at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose, recalls her family's wartime experience through a child's eyes. Listen to her story on Wednesday, April 8, from 6–7 p.m.
Global Language Storytime: Japanese. Participate in a special storytime full of fun and conducted all in Japanese on Friday, April 10, from 11–11:30 a.m.
How to Draw Manga Moods. Join a manga expert to learn to draw faces that show different moods using the visual medium of Japanese comics. Participate on Tuesday, April 14, from 2–3 p.m.

Belle Haven Instructional Pool closed for repairs

The Belle Haven instructional pool is temporarily closed for circulation pump repairs. More information will be provided as soon as it is available. The performance pool at Belle Haven will remain open. Learn more.

Summer Swim Camps in Menlo Park (ages five–14)

Make this summer count with high-quality swim camps at Menlo Swim & Sport. Our camps combine fun with skill-building. Experienced swim instructors and small group lessons ensure every camper receives the attention they need to build confidence and improve technique. Camps run Monday–Friday from 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., with optional after-camp care available until 4:30 p.m. Sessions run June–Aug. 14.

Buy more, save more! Register for three or more weeks and get 10% off each additional week beyond the first two. Register today!

More free literary and cultural programs

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

Melanated Women Read. Melanated Women Read is a book discussion group by and especially for Black women. This month, we will discuss Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. Participate online via Zoom on Monday, April 6, from 6:30–8 p.m. Learn more.
Poetry Night. We're opening the mic! Whether you're sharing your original work or a favorite piece by another poet — or you'd like to sit and listen — let's enjoy some wonderful poetry together. Join us on Tuesday, April 7, from 6–7:15 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
Storytime. Join us for 30-minute-long storytimes at the library. Children and their caregivers will enjoy interactive early learning, featuring stories, songs and fun!
- Belle Haven Library – Tuesdays at 7:15 p.m., Fridays at 5:15 p.m. and Saturdays at 10:15 a.m.
- Menlo Park Library – Thursdays at 10:15 a.m., Fridays at 10:15 a.m. and Saturdays at 11:15 a.m.
Library Makes: Tote Decorating. Join us for an afternoon of tote decorating in the Makerspace on Saturday, April 11, from 2–3:30 p.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.
Junk Poetry Workshop. Join us to turn materials into works of poetry. Participate on Sunday, April 12, from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.
A (Mini) History of Animation. Join animator and historian Steve Segal for a brief look at animation's long history. Participate on Monday, April 13, from 6–7:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
Fiction Book Group Discussion. Join us online via Zoom to discuss Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie on Tuesday, April 14, from 6:30–7:45 p.m. Learn more.
Create Native American Game Sticks. Learn about traditional Native American games and make a simple set of game sticks to take home! Participate on Wednesday, April 15, from 6–7 p.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. 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

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