Services The collection includes the Library's broadest selection of reference materials, adult fiction and nonfiction, magazines and newspapers, and media. South of the fireplace which divides the reading room are a small children's area featuring books and media for children through the 5th grade and a teen services area for youth in 6th through 9th grades. You will find free wireless access, loaner laptops and public internet terminals available at Main Library.
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.
Travel Instructions HIGHWAY 101 (North & South): Take the Embarcadero Road West exit (northbound travelers turn left; southbound travelers turn right). Drive through three lights, and turn right on Newell at the fourth light. The library is the second building on the right, just past the Cultural Center.
HIGHWAY 280 (North & South): Take the Page Mill Road East exit (northbound travelers turn right; southbound travelers turn left). Page Mill becomes Oregon Expwy after El Camino Real. Stay on Oregon, then turn left on Middlefield Road. Turn right on Embarcadero, and then left on Newell at the next light. The library is the second building on the right, just past the Cultural Center.
CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY (North): After San Antonio Road, Central becomes Alma. Turn right on Oregon Expressway, and then left on Middlefield Road. Turn right on Embarcadero, and then left on Newell at the next light. The library is the second building on the right, just past the Cultural Center.
ALMA (South): Turn left at the Embarcadero and proceed to Newell Road and turn left. The library is the second building on the right, past the Cultural Center.
BUS ROUTE: Route 35 runs on Middlefield and stops at Embarcadero. Route 86 stops several blocks from the library at Embarcadero & Louis.
PARKING: The parking lot entrance is just past the library. Additional parking is available between the library and the Cultural Center.
History of the Main Library In 1956, a $700,000 bond issue was approved for the construction of two new library facilities, the Main Library, and the Mitchell Park Library.
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 original building had possessed 25,000 square feet of space. In 1982-84, the building was renovated and 2,200 sq. ft. of staff work space was added.
