Menlo Park Library, as it appeared circa 1962. This view shows the original entry and façade on the building’s north-facing elevation. This is now a secondary entry to an outdoor patio enclosed by a fence. The original chimney and fireplace are still in place, though not in use, where the magazine area is today. If you look closely at the photo, you can see the reflections of cars in the glass entry doors. It’s hard to tell for certain, but the cars appear to be diagonally parked at a curb close by. This suggests that there was street parking or a possibly parking area near the northwest side of the building back then.

The library was built in 1957. As Menlo Park grew, the library building was expanded twice. The first expansion was in 1968 when the “great hall” was added, essentially doubling the building’s floor space. The library was expanded again in 1991 when a large children’s room and staff offices were added. As part of the 1991 expansion, the main entry was moved to the southern side of the building, facing east, and a large stained glass artwork was installed above the main entry doors. A significant renovation in 2016 reconfigured the building’s main lobby by removing a large service counter and installing an automated book sorter.

Around 2017, a wealthy real estate developer proposed to fund and construct a new main library. The proposal was controversial for a variety of reasons, including that a neighborhood branch library was in greater need of replacement, and the proposed location of the new library would displace an existing preschool. In addition, a number of local housing advocates wanted to expand the project by adding floors on top of the library for apartment housing. The developer had funded and built other public facilities in Menlo Park and elsewhere, and was known for wanting to carry out their philanthropic building projects as they envisioned them, on their terms, using their design, and built by their construction company. Faced with strong community resistance from multiple directions, the developer rescinded their offer in 2018.

Fortunately for the community of Menlo Park, the main library is a spacious facility with no serious deficiencies, aside from being due for a new rooftop being installed this year. The building, like all city-owned buildings, is planned to be converted from natural gas heating systems to all-electric systems. And, the neighborhood branch library is being replaced through the generous contribution of another donor and will open in 2024. The new branch library is part of a new multi-service facility with a neighborhood recreation center, swim center, senior center, and youth center.

Menlo Park Library has operated in a school, a hotel, City Hall, a restaurant, and a bungalow until settling down in the Civic Center.
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In 1916, the San Mateo County Library opened a branch library in the Central School on El Camino Real in Menlo Park. It contained 50 books and was presided over by Hanna Burke, a teacher at the school. In 1926, the library moved to the Kuck Hotel at Derry Lane and Oak Grove. Four years later, it moved again to City Hall on Doyle Street. For 9 years, 1062 borrowers used this facility until the next move to what is now the British Banker’s Club. Being situated on the mezzanine required borrowers to climb 21 steps, but rent was only $5 a month.
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This arrangement lasted until 1948, when the library moved to a bungalow on Menlo Avenue. Not until 1957 was a building designed specifically as a library.
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Kingsford Jones, a Menlo Park architect, designed the one-story ranch style building with 2 patios and a brick and redwood exterior, giving it a rustic and informal atmosphere.