Last updated: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:23 PM

About Libraries

Palo Alto City Library
Central phone for all branches: 650-329-2436
Library administration: 650-329-2436
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Web site: www.cityofpaloalto.org/library
E-mail: pa_library@cityofpaloalto.org.
Services:All of Palo Alto's library branches have Wi-Fi access and Internet-linked computers available to the public. All have photocopiers, books, audiobooks, DVDs, magazines, large-print books, catalog access to online periodical databases. All carry bus schedules, City Council packets and newspapers. The library collection for all branches combined is approximately 271,000 items. Main, Mitchell Park, Downtown and College Terrace have Wi-Fi laptops for in-library use. One-hour tutoring sessions on using the Internet are available by advance registration.

Borrowers must have a library card, which is free and does not require Palo Alto residency. For children's programs and schedules of toddler storytimes, visit the library's Web site and click on "Kids' Pages."

Computer Catalog
Lists holdings for all library branches. Library cardholders can reserve books, renew items, review their circulation records and use databases online. An automated telephone renewal system is also available by calling 650-326-5374 (touch-tone phones only). http://webcat.cityofpaloalto.org/#focus

Main Library
Address: 1213 Newell Road
E-mail: libraryreference@cityofpaloalto.org
Hours: Mon-Wed 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thu noon-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun 1-5 p.m.
Collections: Audio books, CDs, DVDs, non-English language books, teen books, print enlarger, telephone directories, central reference collection, Palo Alto Historical Association files.

Children's Library
Address: 1276 Harriet St.
Phone: 329-2134
Hours: Mon-Wed 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thu 12-6 p.m.; Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun 1-5 p.m.
Children's services: No minimum age for library cards. For children 13 and under signature and identification of a parent or guardian is required. Summer Reading Program available at all branches.

College Terrace
Address: 2300 Wellesley Ave.
Hours: Mon-Wed, Fri, Sat 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Collections: Adult and children's materials, CDs, DVDs and audiobooks.

Downtown
Address: 270 Forest Ave.
Phone: 329-2641.
Hours: Tue-Wed, Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Thu noon-7 p.m.
Collections: Audio books, phone directories, cassettes, CDs, children's paperbacks, business reference manuals.

Mitchell Park
Address: 3700 Middlefield Road.
Hours: Mon 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tue-Wed 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Thu noon-6 p.m., Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun 1-5 p.m.
Collections: Adult, teen and children's materials, DVDs, audiobooks, cassettes, CDs, large print books, easy-to-read adult books and Chinese and Russian language collection.
Services: Small private meeting room available for public use.

Library Home Connection
Library This service, staffed by volunteers, provides home (both private and institution) delivery to people unable to come to the library due to a long-term illness or physical disability. Service is limited to Palo Alto residents. Call 650-617-3100, ext. 3215.