San Mateo County Libraries

San Mateo County Libraries San Mateo County Libraries builds meaningful connections and inspires lifelong curiosity.

San Mateo County Libraries are incomparable destinations for learning and growth. Each of our thirteen libraries is part of a larger family offering worlds of discovery and technological opportunities. More than 160,000 community members or 62 percent of the service population have library cards, and more than two million people visit us in person annually. Our physical and digital collections inc

lude nearly one million items and are always growing, and we are evolving too, making the most of every opportunity for innovation and advancement in technology. As one of the largest providers of free internet access in the county, San Mateo County Libraries are equipped with wireless service and hundreds of public computers connected to a 1GBps network, and tablets, laptops and WiFi hotspots for checkout. We are readers and educators at our core, a library tradition we will always embrace as champions of early literacy and exploration at every stage of life. We continually assess the needs of our residents, responding with thoughtfully designed programs and initiatives that enrich lives and uplift the community. We host over 8,000 events each year, curating programming that is designed to enrich and uplift our communities. Through innovative outreach services and our bookmobile, enriching experiences are also delivered beyond library buildings. Our residents comprise a diverse collection of individuals, and our services reflect that. All of these pieces culminate in a message of sharing—whether it’s knowledge, experience, stories, or resources. San Mateo County Libraries provide unmatched service to our community members, and we are consistently ranked as one of the best libraries in the nation. Our vision is to ignite growth through transformative experiences, and it is our mission to strengthen our communities by creating an inclusive sense of place and an environment of learning.

This Tuesday, June 2, marks Election Day in California! 🗳️Visit https://smcl.org/vote for localized, non-partisan votin...
06/02/2026

This Tuesday, June 2, marks Election Day in California! 🗳️

Visit https://smcl.org/vote for localized, non-partisan voting resources and information. ☑️

How would these furry friends enjoy all the paw-some things we have at the library? Swipe to find out! 🐾All of these ani...
05/30/2026

How would these furry friends enjoy all the paw-some things we have at the library? Swipe to find out! 🐾

All of these animals are currently available for adoption from the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA! You can stop by their Burlingame adoption center, every day from 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM, to meet these pets in need of a good home. 💕

Mark your calendars! 📣Join us on Sunday, May 31, at 2:00 PM for a special virtual author talk with actor, author and ac...
05/27/2026

Mark your calendars! 📣

Join us on Sunday, May 31, at 2:00 PM for a special virtual author talk with actor, author and activist George Takei.

You can watch this event virtually from home, or stop by one of our in-person watch parties at Belmont Library or Portola Valley Library.

George Takei will be discussing his graphic memoir They Called Us Enemy. This impactful story reflects on his childhood experience in U.S. incarceration camps during World War II and discusses the lasting impact of this history today.

Event details: https://smcl.org/takei-livestream

Summer is heating up! ☀️Make the most out of grilling season with these mouthwatering BBQ cookbooks, fit for meat eaters...
05/22/2026

Summer is heating up! ☀️

Make the most out of grilling season with these mouthwatering BBQ cookbooks, fit for meat eaters and veggie lovers alike. ⬇️

Summer is heating up! Make the most out of grilling season with these mouthwatering BBQ cookbooks, fit for meat eaters and veggie lovers alike.

In observance of Memorial Day, San Mateo County Libraries will be closed and Customer Care will not be available on Sund...
05/21/2026

In observance of Memorial Day, San Mateo County Libraries will be closed and Customer Care will not be available on Sunday, May 24, and Monday, May 25.

05/21/2026

UPDATE:
Power has been restored at Portola Valley Library today, Thursday, May 21, and regular services are now available.

---

Portola Valley Library is currently experiencing a power outage today, Thursday, May 21, but remains open with limited services, including book checkout. Please check back for updates.

May is AAPI Heritage Month! 🌺Join us for a wide variety of locally-led workshops that celebrate the diverse cultures and...
05/19/2026

May is AAPI Heritage Month! 🌺

Join us for a wide variety of locally-led workshops that celebrate the diverse cultures and histories of our Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. ⬇️

Join San Mateo County Libraries for martial arts, ikebana, chinese ink painting and more for AAPI Heritage Month.

Last week, East Palo Alto Library celebrated their current youth art exhibition! 🎨The opening reception had food, music,...
05/15/2026

Last week, East Palo Alto Library celebrated their current youth art exhibition! 🎨

The opening reception had food, music, art activity stations and about 180 attendees—including the student artists, their families and faculty from local schools. Congratulations to all these young artists! 🌟

For more events like this at your local library, visit https://smcl.org/events 🗓️

May is Jewish American Heritage Month! Stop by our libraries to discover puppet shows, papercutting and more.
05/14/2026

May is Jewish American Heritage Month!

Stop by our libraries to discover puppet shows, papercutting and more.

Discover our upcoming events for Jewish American Heritage Month at San Mateo County Libraries.

Address

125 Lessingia Court
San Mateo, CA
94402

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 8pm
Tuesday 10am - 8pm
Wednesday 10am - 8pm
Thursday 10am - 8pm
Friday 10am - 8pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+18339377625

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when San Mateo County Libraries posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to San Mateo County Libraries:

Shortcuts

Share

Category