What we’re about
The City of Menlo Park's libraries offer a variety of programs, including art events, author talks, info sessions, craft sessions, music events, and more. To make the most of our programming efforts and this meetup page, we’d love for you to get involved. If you come to a program, say hi and let us know you saw it on meetup. If you have an idea for something you’d like to see at the library, send us a message. The library is a great space for community meetups and we’d love to play a role in making those connections!
See more events at our calendar, and check our hours and holiday closures.
Upcoming events
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Music with the Miles Ahead Big Band
Belle Haven Library, Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave., Menlo Park, ca, USEnjoy a jazz concert with some of the Bay Area’s best young musicians!
Directed by award-winning jazz educators Mike Galisatus and Kristen Strom, Stanford Jazz Workshop’s Miles Ahead Big Band brings together many of the Bay Area’s most talented high school jazz musicians.
Renowned for their exceptional musicianship and electrifying performances, the band has consistently earned accolades, including top-three placement in the High School Conglomerate Big Band Division at the Next Generation Jazz Festival.
In 2025, the band took the national stage as a finalist in the prestigious Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival, held in New York City and hosted by Jazz at Lincoln Center. This invitation placed Miles Ahead among the finest high school jazz ensembles in the country, further solidifying its reputation for excellence.
With a track record of standout performances and a deep commitment to musical growth, the Miles Ahead Big Band continues to push the boundaries of high school jazz.
The free event received funding support from the Friends of the Menlo Park Library.
Saturday, November 01, 2025 | 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave., Menlo Park, CAMore free events with Menlo Park Library
Menlo Park Library on social media:
@menloparklibrary on Instagram & Facebook
@menlolibrary on Twitter/X2 attendees
Smiley Stories: Latin American Soul
Belle Haven Library, Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave., Menlo Park, ca, USThe 10th Annual Menlo Park Storytelling Festival kicks off with a fun, action-filled bilingual performance by Colombian artists Linda Gallo Bedoya and Jaime E. Riascos Villegas.
Sharing “short stories for short legs,” Linda and Jaime will bring us delightful tales from the Latin American oral tradition—a participatory experience that will be fun for children and adults alike!
About the Storytellers:
Born in Colombia, Linda and Jaime of Smiley Stories have become known as among the best storytellers in Latin America, receiving special recognition from their country’s Ministry of Culture. Their performances have been showcased at international theater festivals from Spain to Argentina, earning awards and recognition in several countries. Their workshops, presentations, and conferences have been held at prestigious universities including Stanford, Berkeley, UCLA, Dartmouth, and Cornell.
This is one of eight events in the 10th Annual Menlo Park Storytelling Festival. Join us for one event, or the whole series!
- 11/2: Smiley Stories: Latin American Soul - Belle Haven Library - All ages
- 11/12: Odd Salon and Curiosity Guild - Menlo Park Library - Adults & teens
- 11/15: Tellabration! ™ - Belle Haven Library - 6-Adult
- 11/16: Asian Storytopia - Belle Haven Library - “8-108”
- 11/22: Storytelling 101 Workshop - Belle Haven Library - “7-97+”
- 12/2: Regina Stoops: Coming Out—Again - Menlo Park Library - 6-Adult
- 12/5 - StoryFest - Online - Ages 6-Adult
- 12/7 - Diane Ferlatte: Knick Knack Paddy Whack - Belle Haven Library - All ages
About Storytelling:
Storytelling is telling stories--without using a book.
- It's an ancient art form that predates libraries, and books, and writing.
- It's not necessarily for children!
- Traditional-style storytelling creates unique images in the mind of each listener.
- According to the National Storytelling Network, "storytelling is the interactive art of using words and actions to reveal the elements and images of a story while encouraging the listener’s imagination. In storytelling, the listener imagines the story.”
- According to the Storytelling Association of California (an organization dedicated to promoting storytelling as a living art form), storytelling is “orally passing on adventures, wisdom, experiences, surprise, history, laughter, beliefs and imagination.”
This free event received funding support from the Friends of the Menlo Park Library.
Sunday, November 02, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave., Menlo Park, CA, 94025More free events with Menlo Park Library
Menlo Park Library on social media:
@menloparklibrary on Instagram & Facebook
@menlolibrary on Twitter/X1 attendee
•OnlineMelanated Women Read: The Women of Brewster Place
OnlineMelanated Women Read is a book discussion group by and especially for Black women. This month we discuss The Women of Brewster Place, by Gloria Gaylor.
The National Book Award-winning novel weaves together the stories of seven women living in a bleak-inner city sanctuary, creating a powerful, moving portrait of the strengths, struggles, and hopes of black women in America.
Vulnerable and resilient, openhanded and openhearted, the women forge their lives in a place that in turn threatens and protects—a common prison and a shared home.
About Melanated Women Read:
Melanated Women Read is a virtual book group that is by and especially for Black women. The purpose and focus are on inspiring, uplifting reads, and providing a safe space for Black women to speak, vent and enjoy honest and open conversation.
The group chooses from books written by Black authors. The goal of this community-based group is to introduce a variety of Black writers who will help build a love of reading in a positive environment while meeting new people and gaining new perspectives.
Melanated Women Read meets virtually on the first Monday of each month.Monday, November 03, 2025 | 06:30 PM - 08:00 PM
Zoom webinar (register for link)More free events with Menlo Park Library
Menlo Park Library on social media:
@menloparklibrary on Instagram & Facebook
@menlolibrary on Twitter/X3 attendees
Native American Heroes
Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St, Menlo Park, CA, USJoin us to learn about some Native American Heroes!
Professor Paul Steward of San Francisco State University American Indian Studies department presents a lecture on some notable, resilient, remarkable indigenous people.
A lecturer of Native American/American Indian Studies, Professor Steward is a tribal member of Elem Indian Colony of Pomo Indians of the Sulphur Bank Rancheria, located on the Eastern shore of Clear Lake.
Raised on the reservation from birth until age 10, he learned his tribal culture from his father and paternal grandparents.
Paul is also an award-winning, world-touring Native American Blues/R&B singer & guitarist.
This free event received funding support from the Friends of the Menlo Park Library.
Tuesday, November 04, 2025 | 06:30 PM - 07:30 PM
Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., Menlo Park, CA, 94025More free events with Menlo Park Library
Menlo Park Library on social media:
@menloparklibrary on Instagram & Facebook
@menlolibrary on Twitter/X5 attendees
Past events
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