• Venue

    main.jpg

    Palo Alto Main Library

    Library Hours

    Mon-Wed: 10 - 9
    Thurs: 12-9
    Fri-Sat: 10-6
    Sun: 1- 5

    The site, at 1213 Newell Road, is adjacent to, at the time of construction, the City Hall. The City Hall was converted to the Cultural Center (now called the Art Center), following the construction of the Civic Center in Downtown Palo Alto.

    Edward D. Stone, designer of the United States Exhibit Hall at the Brussels World's Fair and the Stanford University Hospital, was selected as architect for both of the new libraries. The building possessed 25,000 square feet of space, and features vaulted ceilings in the main reading area. North and South Patios are accessible by customers for leisurely reading. The facility was closed on September 19, 1982, for renovations which included an addition of 2,200 square feet for staff quarters. In addition, improved lighting and ventilation, new fire sprinklers, improved access for customers with disabilities, and seismic reinforcements were completed during this renovation. The library was reopened on April 5, 1983. A second phase of renovations was completed in 1984, but did not require closure of the building.

    Architecturally, the building is in the shape of a "T", with the reading room forming the cross bar and staff offices in the base. A structural steel frame supports the building, allowing an open interior. All exterior walls are glass which contributes to the openness of the building. A terra cotta grille nine feet high surrounds the entire building. This cuts glare from the sun, and encloses the patios.

    The basement, totaling 5,000 square feet, is used for storage of periodicals and also houses the mainframe computer which contains the library's bibliographic and circulation records.

    Located in the North end of the reading area is the Guy Miller Archives of the Palo Alto Historical Association with files documenting local history and commerce in text and photography. Toward the south end of the reading room, a freestanding fireplace divides the area, which is furnished as a lounge and contains current periodicals and newspapers.

    • Contact Info

      Palo Alto Main Library

      1213 Newell Road
      Palo Alto, CA 94303

      Phone: 650-329-2436

      Website

      Full map and directions

    • Parking Info

    • Accessibility Info

    • NOTE: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate, however it's a good idea to visit the website or call the venue to verify the information.

  • Featured Sections

  • Featured Video

    View all videos in Video Central