Quote of the week

"Story, as it turns out, was crucial to our evolution—more so than opposable thumbs. Opposable thumbs let us hang on; story told us what to hang on to."

– Lisa Cron, Wired for Story

Last day to register for Pumpkin Splash

Wear your swimsuit and join us for a floating pumpkin patch on Sunday, Oct. 25! Admission is $12 and includes a pumpkin, decorations for the pumpkin, a goody bag and additional time for swimming. Learn more. There are limited spots for the following times:

• Belle Haven Pool from noon–12:25 p.m.
• Burgess Pool from 2:30–2:55 p.m. and 3–3:25 p.m.

Legends Swim & Strength at Burgess Pool (ages 65 and older)

Keep moving, build strength and feel your best. Legends Swim & Strength is designed to help adults 65 and older maintain or improve mobility, flexibility, strength and cardiovascular endurance in a supportive and welcoming environment. Join us at Burgess Pool, 501 Laurel St., on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30–10 a.m. Sign up for a monthly membership or drop-in and try out today! 

Trunk-or-Treat is this Wednesday

Instead of going door-to-door, trick-or-treaters will go from car-to-car, with each vehicle's trunk decorated in a creative and festive Halloween theme. Admission is free. Join us on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 4:30–6 p.m. at Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

Photos with Santa tickets available Nov. 2

Bring your camera and join us for holiday cheer with fun holiday crafts, light refreshments and photos with the North Pole's most famous inhabitant. Advance reservations are required and tickets are $5 per person. Join us on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma St. Tickets are available starting Monday, Nov. 2, at 9 a.m. Get tickets.

11th Annual Storytelling Festival

Everyone is invited to our 11th Annual Storytelling Festival! Stop by for a Halloween and spooky-story-themed storytelling night. Visitors can try their hand at sharing their own tales or enjoy them as listeners. Join us on Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 6–7:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

Today: Facility closures

The City of Menlo Park's Library and Community Services facilities are closed today, Oct. 24, while staff support the Halloween Hoopla Parade and Carnival. Regularly held business hours will resume the following day. 

Visit a California State Park

Did you know library cardholders can check out a California State Parks Pass? The pass provides free vehicle day-use entry for one passenger vehicle. Plan your next winter hike or take your family to the beach. Visit any of the 13 participating State Parks in San Mateo County! Learn more.

Garden Talks: Best Gardening Books of 2026

Our gardening experts share some of the best books they've seen this year. You may learn of the perfect book to give to the garden lover on your gift list. Our Garden Talks take place online on the first Wednesday of each month. Join us online via Zoom on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 6:30–7 p.m. Learn more.

Discover & Go – Free and discounted museum passes with your library card

Discover & Go is a program offered by the Menlo Park Library that provides free and low-cost passes to museums, science centers, zoos, theatres and other cultural destinations. View available passes and plan your next outing by logging in with your card info.

Video games for checkout at the library

Studies have shown that video games can improve manual dexterity, increase the brain's gray matter and improve intellectual and social skills. Also, video games are a lot of fun! Menlo Park Library now offers video games for checkout with your library card. Browse our collection of games for Nintendo Switch, PS5 and Xbox Series X. Learn more and browse the full collection.

More free programs and events

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

• Cozy Coloring Corner. Fall into a cozy afternoon of coloring at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 2–3:30 p.m. Learn more.

• Sci-Fi Fantasy Book Group. Join our Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Group online or in person to discuss V For Vendetta by Alan Moore. Participate online via Zoom or in person at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave., on Monday, Oct. 26, from 6:30–7:45 p.m. Learn more. 

• Poetry Night. Join our community of poetry lovers by sharing and listening to great poems with us! Participate on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 6–7:15 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

• Adult Tabletop Gaming Night. Drop in and enjoy a range of games, from well-known classics to newer entries and even role-playing games. Bring in a game of your own to share, if you like! Join us on Sunday, Nov. 1, from 2–3:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

• Virtual Museum Visit. We're Zooming to Fresno! Join us for a virtual walk-through of Arte América's Día de Muertos exhibition, Cuatro Puntos. Participate online via Zoom on Monday, Nov. 2, from 4–5 p.m. Learn more.

• Melanated Women Read. Melanated Women Read is a book discussion group for Black women. This month we will discuss Luster: A Novel by Raven Leilani. Join us online via Zoom on Monday, Nov. 2, from 6:30–8 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!

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