San Mateo County Libraries Celebrates 7-Day-a-Week Service

We are delighted to announce an expansion of hours beginning Sunday, March 6, 2022 with the return of 7-day-a-week service for most locations.

The expanded evening and weekend hours will provide more in-person opportunities for you to seek resources and find support when it comes to job hunting, schoolwork, literacy, STEAM programs, access to the internet, technology and more. It also gives you more time to browse our incredible collections for your next great read.

“This is an exciting next step for our Libraries to bring even more transformative experiences and boundless opportunities to those we serve in the County,” said Library JPA Governing Board Chair and Millbrae Councilmember Reuben Holober. “Our libraries have provided exceptional resources and unwavering support during these challenging times, and I look forward to seeing the innovative, community-centered impact they will bring to 2022.”

Expanded Hours Locations

With careful consideration of our system’s thoughtful reopening plan, the San Mateo County Libraries Joint Powers Authority Governing Board approved the following 7-day-a-week schedule for 11 of our 13 locations:

  • Monday-Thursday 10 AM-8 PM
  • Friday-Sunday 10 AM-5 PM

Locations include: Belmont, Brisbane, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Millbrae, Pacifica Sharp Park, San Carlos, Woodside, North Fair Oaks and Atherton when the new library is complete.

This easy-to-remember, inclusive schedule will be a benefit to community members and provide a valuable resource center to anyone in search of a safe place to access materials and resources for learning, discovery and support. 

Special hours for Pacifica Sanchez Library and Portola Valley Library are listed below. Each of these libraries are located less than 5 miles away from a San Mateo County Libraries location that will serve the community with the expanded 7-day-a-week schedule.

Pacifica Sanchez Library:

  • Tuesdays & Thursdays 12-5 PM
  • Saturdays 11 AM-5 PM

Portola Valley Library:

  • Monday-Tuesday 10 AM- 8 PM
  • Wednesday-Saturday 10 AM- 5 PM

“We could not be more excited to welcome our community members back into our libraries for extended evening and weekend hours,” San Mateo County Libraries Director Anne-Marie Despain said. “We know how much extended hours mean to someone in need of access to resources after they finish a long workday or how grateful families will be to return to their routine of a Sunday visit to their local library.”

The Libraries will continue to require masks for ages 2 and up and recommend social distancing, but all library spaces will be available for use. Library staff will also continue to offer virtual programs while building upon the return of more in-person programming and community outreach opportunities.

Our Customer Care is also expanding its hours and is available to assist with any questions. Our Customer Care hours are from 10 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Thursday, and 10 AM - 5 PM, Friday through Sunday, except during holiday closures.