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Confronting Violence: Improving Women's Lives
July 8-August 31, 2019: Activists and reformers in the United States have long recognized the harm of domestic violence and sought to improve the lives of women who were battered. Our temporary exhibition Confronting Violence, Improving Women’s Lives explores the developments during latter half of the 20th century, when nurses took up the call. Beginning in the late 1970s, nurses were in the vanguard as they pushed the larger medical community to identify victims, adequately respond to their needs, and work towards the prevention of domestic violence. Visit the Main Library to experience the interactive exhibition panels. The National Library of Medicine produced this exhibition.
Summer Road Trips Film Festival
Whether on a bus, in a car, on a motorcycle, scooter or hot air balloon, summer is the perfect time to hit the road! This July and August, the Main Library is your starting point for adventure.
| The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert | Tues., Aug 20 6:30-8:15 p.m. | Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce, and Terence Stamp play two drag performers and a transgender woman journeying across the Australian Outback in a tour bus. Rated R |
| Rat Race | Weds., Aug 28 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Six ordinary people are pitted against each other in a wild dash for $2 million jammed into a locker hundreds of miles away. The only rule is that there are no rules. Rated PG-13 |
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club
Escape to other worlds through sci-fi, fantasy, horror, dystopia, and more. Meets at the Main Library on the 4th Monday of each month from 7:15-8:30 p.m.
August 26: "Annihilation," by Jeff Vandermeer
September 23: "Every Heart a Doorway," by Seanan McGuire
October 28: "Dracula," by Bram Stoker
Book-ish Trivia Night
Thursday, August 29: (Main Library) After-hours fun, just for adults 21 and over! We'll have book-related trivia & prizes, light refreshments & (adult) beverages -- and a free book for each attendee!
Knitting Meetup
Meet the 4th Wednesday of every month from 7-9 p.m. to crochet, knit, sew and laugh! All skill levels welcome.
Michelle Pollace
Latin Jazz Trio
Saturday, August 31: (Belle Haven Branch Library) Live music in the library! Michelle honors the roots of jazz, Brazilian, and Afro-Cuban music while adding a new voice.
Board Game Meetup
Would you like to play a game? Drop in and join us on the first Sunday of each month, from 12:30-3:30 p.m., for a chance to relax and unwind with other adults! A variety of games will be provided, and our facilitator will help explain how to play. Feel free to bring a game of your own to share!
Menlo Park Storytelling Festival
September 7-October 2, 2019: It’s time for our 4th Annual Storytelling Festival! Join us as we welcome professional talent visiting us from around the state, the country—and the world. We'll have evening performances every Wednesday, and several afternoon and weekend events along the way.
| Menlo Park StoryFest | Sat., Sept. 7 11:00 am-1:00 pm Main Library | For the first time since 2016: a variety of storytellers come together to share tales from around the world! |
| Alicia Retes Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La | Sun., Sept. 8 2:00-3:00 pm Belle Haven Branch | Alicia’s interactive Native tale will incorporate songs and California Native musical instruments. |
| Tom & Sandy Farley: A Cup of Coffee: Stories from Kosovo and Beyond | Weds., Sept. 11 7:00-8:00 pm Main Library | The “Spontaneous Combustion” duo shares tales for times of fear and anger. |
| Seung Ah Kim Princess Bari | Weds., Sept. 18 7:00-8:00 pm Main Library | Cursed royalty, an abandoned baby, and a trip to the underworld: on tour from her home in South Korea, Seung Ah shares one of the oldest and best-known epics in Korean mythology. |
| John Weaver Legends & Laughter | Thurs., Sept. 19 4:00-4:45 pm Main Library | Wild journeys, hilarious misunderstandings: you never know what you might get . |
| Bobby Norfolk Tales of Mystery and Suspense | Weds., Sept. 25 7:00-8:00 pm Main Library | On tour from St. Louis, Bobby will keep you on the edge of your seat with a spellbinding roller coaster ride of “jump” tales and comic relief. |
| Olga Loya Singing & Dancing Through Stories | Sun., Sept 29 2:00-3:00 pm Belle Haven Branch | Celebrate through dancing and singing as you hear folk tales, personal stories and myths. |
| Belonging in the USA: The Story of Michael D. McCarty | Mon., Sept. 30 7:00-8:30 pm Main Library | Film Screening & Discussion: Now a famed storyteller, Michael evolved from aspiring scientist to Black Panther Party member, from FBI target to soldier, from drug addict to ashram devotee. These twists and turns will inspire hope and laughter. After the film, Michael will join us via video conference! |
| Michael Katz Far Away and Close to Home | Weds., Oct. 2 7:00-8:00 pm Main Library | Take an enjoyable and magical journey within folktales of other lands, while reflecting on stories at home. |
Writers' Panel: Publishing
Wednesday, September 4: (Main Library): Let's talk about the many different paths toward getting your work published!
Between the Notes
Monday, September 9: (Main Library) Listen to major works of classical music, and discuss what the composers might have had in mind, and what the sounds evoke for you.
The Road to Resegregation:
Northern California and the Failure of Politics
Tuesday, September 10: (Main Library) Author Alex Schafran talks about the suburbanization of poverty, urban sprawl, NIMBYism, and more.
Literature Book Club
Join us for our discussion group, which meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 7:15-8:30 p.m. Our club discusses a wide range of contemporary literary works: novels, short stories, essays, and poetry. Our mission is to closely read a selection of literary works and discuss them in a spirit of curiosity and respect.
September 10: "Outline," by Rachel Cusk
The Day the Music Died
Tuesday, September 17: (Main Library) Listen to the music of Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, and The Big Bopper, and learn more about their lives and legacies.
Ho'omana Hawaiian Band
Saturday, September 21: (Belle Haven Branch Library) Live music! Fresh arrangements of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian songs with beautiful three-part harmonies.
Film Screening and Discussion:
"The S Word"
Monday, September 23: (Main Library) A screening in recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, followed by a discussion facilitated by members of StarVista's Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Center.
California's Changing Ecosystems:
As Observed from Space
Tuesday, September 24: (Main Library) How can satellite technology help us understand changes to our planet, and allow us to predict future changes?