Library and Community Services Newsletter - Aug. 29, 2026

Aug. 29, 2026

Quote of the week

"Autumn leaves don't fall; they fly. They take their time and wander on this, their only chance to soar. Reflecting sunlight, they swirled and sailed and fluttered on the wind drafts."

– Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing

Teen College and Career Day

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.

Fall activity enrollment – Last call

Learning is an adventure that yields lifelong benefits. 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. Classes are available for registration. Learn more and enroll today.

Holiday closure

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

What to read this September

An open book on an orange blanket surrounded by glasses and a pumpkin

If you've been craving a good read lately but can't decide what to choose, check out these recommendations from Menlo Park's Librarians.

Award-winning Fantasy books
Award-winning Science Fiction books
Menlo Park Library Book Club Reads 2026
If you liked Dungeon Crawler Carl (a list made specially for fans of Dungeon Crawler Carl who are wishing for more reads with the same vibe)

Spend Labor Day weekend at the pool!

Family swimming in a pool

Burgess and Belle Haven Pools will be open all Labor Day weekend long! Check out the facility hours and open/recreation swim hours below. This is your last chance to enjoy the Burgess Wading Pool before it closes for the season!

Belle Haven Pool	Sept. 5	Sept. 6	Sept. 7
Facility Hours	9 a.m.– 5 p.m.	Noon– 5 p.m.	9 a.m.–7 p.m.
Family/Recreational Swim Hours	Noon–5 p.m.	Noon–5 p.m.	Noon–7 p.m.

Burgess Pool	Sept. 5	Sept. 6	Sept. 7
Facility Hours	6 a.m.–5:30 p.m.	6 a.m.–5:30 a.m.	6 a.m.–8 p.m.
Family/Recreational Swim Hours	Noon–5:30 p.m.	Noon–5:30 p.m.	Noon–8 p.m.

Lunch is served at Menlo Park Senior Center (ages 60 and older)

Check out September's lunch menu at the Menlo Park Senior Center. Freshly prepared, nutritionally balanced meals are made with local ingredients and paired with health, recreational, social, cultural and educational programs, plus opportunities for conversation and fun! Free, reliable transportation service is available. Join us Monday through Friday from morning to early afternoon at the Menlo Park Senior Center, 100 Terminal Ave. See the menu.

Teen Media Nights

Teens, come watch movies and play video games in the library! Join us on Wednesdays from 3:30–5:30 p.m. in the Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave., or Fridays from 3:30–5:30 p.m. in the Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St.

eLibrary Spotlight: Kanopy Streaming TV and Films

Get free access to thousands of movies with your library card without ever leaving your house! Kanopy offers streaming movies, documentaries, foreign films, classic cinema, independent films and educational videos. Visit our Kanopy portal to sign up and get 25 free streaming tickets every month.

New pool hours

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.

More free literary and cultural programs

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

Cozy Coloring Corner. Bring your favorite coloring supplies and join us for this cozy, social coloring event. We'll provide coloring sheets and colored pencils and put together a still life for you to try your hand at. All levels are welcome. Participate on Sunday, Aug. 30, from 2–3:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
Garden Talk: California Perennials. Join us online to learn our ten favorite, easy-to-grow, California native perennials that will help attract butterflies and other pollinators to your yard. Participate online via Zoom on Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Learn more.
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.

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