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February 7, 2026

Quote of the week

“He is the half part of a blessed man,
Left to be finished by such as she;
And she a fair divided excellence,
Whose fullness of perfection lies in him.”

– William Shakespeare, King John

We’ve got Valentine’s Day activities

Happy Valentine’s Day from us to you! Treat yourself to something that will sweeten your day on Feb. 14! Grab your library card because we’ve got all the resources you need to make the day special, including:

• Curated lists of romantic reads
• Recipes from around the world for delicious candlelight dinners
• Valentine's Day-themed arts and crafts tutorials
• Museum passes for the art and history lovers
• State park passes to explore the outdoors with your dearest
• And romantic movies to curl up on the couch and watch

Youth summer camp enrollment is open!

Keep your child active, engaged and learning this summer at a City of Menlo Park youth summer camp! The City hosts a variety of specialty camps, including sports, dance, crafts, STEM and more, featuring fun activities that support literacy, social growth and physical development.

Enroll in a Summer Camp

Apply now for the Community Funding Program

The City of Menlo Park is accepting applications for its Community Funding Program, which supports eligible community organizations and nonprofit agencies addressing local human service needs. Funding is available for basic services, community enrichment and community health programs. Using the City's Community Funding Policy, the City Council will allocate limited resources to priority community needs. Submitting an application does not guarantee funding. Applications are due by Thursday, March 5. Learn more.

Now Hiring at Menlo Park Pools

Menlo Swim & Sport is hiring! Whether you're looking for a flexible, active job on deck or a professional leadership role, we offer supportive teams, meaningful work and opportunities to grow. See all available positions or apply now.

Lifeguards – Belle Haven and Burgess Pools

• $20–$26/hour
• No experience required. Certification and training provided.
• Flexible schedules

General Manager – Belle Haven Pool (Full-Time)

• $85,000–$107,000 annually, plus benefits
• Leads facility operations, lifeguards, front desk staff and managers on duty

Presidents Day Closure

City offices are closed in observance of Presidents Day on Monday, Feb. 16. Learn more.

Valentine's Day Lunch at the Menlo Park Senior Center

Seniors, join us for a delightful Valentine's Day lunch featuring stuffed chicken breast, garlic shrimp, lemon zest rice and veggies. The suggested donation is $2.50. Space and availability are limited and meals are first-come, first-served. Join us on Friday, Feb. 13, from noon–12:30 p.m. at Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more about lunch at the Senior Center.

Tax Information and Resources

The deadline to file taxes this year is April 15. If you need assistance finding resources, check out the Tax Information and Resources List created by library staff to help you quickly find the information you need to file your taxes. This updated list includes links to IRS forms and booklets, California forms and booklets, tax-filing books and information on where to find free tax-filing assistance. 

Carry your library wherever you go

Do you always forget your library card when you stop in for the free books and DVDs? Now there's no need to think about it! Load up the Peninsula Library System mobile app and always have your digital library card in hand. Try these additional features to get the most out of your mobile library:

• Self-service item checkout
• Scan a book to see if the library has a copy
• Manage checkouts and holds for several cards at once with linked accounts
• Built-in reading tracker and booklists

Download the app for iPhone or Android

Free academic success courses (grades six–12)

This series offers free academic success workshops designed to help middle and high school students build the skills needed to excel in high school, college and beyond. Sign up to reserve your spot. Join us on select Tuesdays from 4:30–6 p.m. at Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave.

• Feb. 24 – Backpack and binder organization and note-taking. Sign up.
• March 10 and March 24 – Asking questions, communication and instant vs. delayed gratification. Sign up.

More free literary and cultural programs 

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

• Teen Media Nights. Come watch movies and play video games in the library! Join us on Wednesdays from 3:30–5:30 p.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave., or Fridays from 3:30–5:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St.
• English Conversation Club. Meet other English language learners and work with our literacy staff and volunteer tutors. Join us from noon–1 p.m. on Tuesdays at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., or on Saturdays at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave.
• 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.
• Buki the Clown's Magic Show. Join us for a hilarious magic show in English y en español también! In Buki the Clown's silly, slapstick show, it is the children who perform the magic and no one is more surprised than Buki. Participate on Sunday, Feb. 8, from 11–11:30 a.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.
• Cooking Lesson: A Taste of African Heritage. Cook along at home during a delicious cooking lesson featuring foods reflecting the great range of culinary traditions and flavors of the African diaspora. Join us online via Zoom on Monday, Feb. 9, from 5:30–6:30 p.m. Learn more.
• Book Discussion: A Mercy. Join our Fiction Book Group to discuss A Mercy by Toni Morrison. Participate online via Zoom or in person at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., on Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 6:30–7:45 p.m. Learn more.
• Virtual Visit: California State Railroad Museum. Come along for a live, virtual visit to the California State Railroad Museum! Our guide will lead us through the history and exhibits that bring California’s railway history to life. Join us online via Zoom on Wednesday, Feb. 11, from 5–6 p.m. Learn more.
• Tea and Tarot. Join us for tea and conversation around the tarot deck. Participate on Sunday, Feb. 15, from 3–4 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

Suggestion box – How are we doing?

We strive to deliver excellent service to the Menlo Park community. Your feedback helps us learn and improve. Do you have a question, complaint or suggestion? We want to hear from you. Please share your thoughts in our online suggestion box.

Kelly Field and City Hall parking lot closures

The parking lots at Kelly Field (100 Terminal Ave.) and the Arrillaga Family Gymnastics Center (510 Laurel St.) are closed for solar photovoltaic construction. We encourage carpooling or public transportation during construction due to limited parking. Learn more.

Gymnastics closure

The Arrillaga Family Gymnastics Center is closed due to storm-related water damage. City teams are working to repair the damage and safely reopen the gymnastics center as soon as possible. The closure is anticipated to extend through February as contractors work to completely repair the damaged areas and prepare the facility for reopening.