Menlo Park Library - Menlo Park, California

Karla S.

They open very late, there is no space for young children. The best game is the Atherton library. 5 stars

Nancy

Sleepy like the rest of Menlo Park but I'm happy for its existence. It's a library after all.

Amee D.

Great library! But why the very unusually short operating hours on normal week days?

Lana L.

If you want to experience the VERY best of Karen behavior and be reminded of how unwelcome you are as an Asian in this part of Bay Area, come to this library in Menlo Park!

A silver-haired, masked Karen scurried up to me while I was sitting at a desk, to scold at my w the utmost disgust at my being that I must "always keep my shoes on." Bear in mind, I'm wearing open-toed Keens (a Karen-endorsed brand), REI-branded Karen-endorsed clothing, and I was sitting cross-legged, (ankle-on-knee) with the Keen sandal of my hanging foot on the ground. Completely would understand if I was placing my feet on the chair or touching the table or chair w my feet, but I wasn't...is there some foot fetish triggered in you from seeing my tiny children-foot-sized Asian foot glory instead of halfsies in my Keens at the corner of the room?!

Coming from a society where we're used to washing our feet like our hands and having an inane amount of different slippers in the house to segregate between the outdoors; the bathroom; and the main part of the house; and where Starbucks and standard restaurants in my country require removal of feet from shoes to enter and sit at the table for meals...this Karen behavior at Menlo Park library absolutely perplexes me at how the appearance of not wearing an open-toed thin layer between the bottom of ones feet is not acceptable, particularly as there is no one else on this half of the room of desks.

I heard disdainful murmuring behind me after my incredulous face in response to her getting in my face. You just can't win w Karens at this library, especially when you're Asian in Menlo Park. Oh the guy blaring his music on his phone a few tables over? Oh no, she can't say anything to him because well, he 'looks' underprivileged and can't defend herself against potentially being called a racist. Oh the house-less guy outside the library with the speaker jamming to his own karaoke music, oh no, she can't say anything to him because that could be taken as racist, unwelcoming, and disparaging to an underprivileged population!

I should stick to the Stanford library. At least I can look around and see others who look like me and not get scolded for using the library as you're supposed to -- quietly and for private study/reading.

If the head of the library or councilmember is reading this, I'd be happy to describe her to you further for EO training as well as what drives Asians out of using community centers like this that taxpayers of all ethnic backgrounds are forced to support, but can't take advantage of due to feelings of unwelcome hostility.

Kirk G.

A crown jewel. I absolutely love coming here, the grounds are relaxed and inviting.

Even though the library is starting to show its age a bit, it is still a fabulous asset.

Jessica W. N.

I feel frustrated with this library’s hour system. Today when I went for the weekly reading hour, when they should be open, there is still a sign up that said closed. They need to be better at communicating with their patrons they’re going to be closed for training. There’s plenty of time Monday through Wednesday Training they shouldn’t lead the patrons on like this.

Tony D.

Very nice in lovely surroundings with a superb staff. The book selection seems a trifle dated, especially in the relatively lean science area, but the biography and magazine sections are excellent. Also, the children's area is terrific and, importantly, sequestered away from the adult area, making it one of the quieter libraries.
Unfortunately, there is the usual complement of homeless people setting up camp inside; in fact, the situation in this respect is somewhat worse than average for the area.
Check out the book sale area! Amazing deals!

Michael L.

A beautiful library with friendly, helpful staff and great resources.