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Atherton Library
Category: Public Services & Government Libraries Libraries [Edit]
2 Dinkelspiel Sta LnAtherton, CA 94027
(650) 328-2422
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 10 am - 8 pm
Thu-Fri 10 am - 6 pm
Sat 10 am - 5 pm
Sun 1 pm - 5 pm
9 reviews for Atherton Library
9 reviews in English
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Review from susan m.
Menlo Park, CA
11/17/2010
I love this little library. It's my favorite library of all the libraries in San Mateo County and that's saying lots!
The review just before me calls it "the secret library" and that describes it perfectly. I really don't want anyone else to know about it cuz it's my secret little spot. But they also deserve a great review and kudos for how they manage this library.
The staff are just so friendly and wonderful. I always say it's the library "where everybody knows your name". I am greeted like a friend when I walk in the door. This is the advantage of a smaller library and I know the larger ones simply can't do this.
I find more current interesting books here than I do in the bigger libraries. The DVD movie selection is also very good.
I have all my "holds" sent to this library cuz the parking is easy and it's such a convenient location.
I don't know who is responsible for putting the books out on the special section displays but i usually walk in and clean those right off the shelf.
There is a charming garden in back that I think most people miss.
I overheard a patron talking about new plans for an Atherton library and it kind of made me sick. I just don't want this little library to change. It's perfect the way it is. -
Review from Heather F.
Foster City, CA
1/5/2009
I get around. To libraries that is.
Since moving to the area in late August, I have made my rounds. I love the Peninsula Library System because I can always find the book I am looking for. To save the $.75 it costs to request something and have it delivered to your library of choice, I usually pick it up myself at whatever library it is at. Aside from the small fee, this also saves me any wait time, because when I have something in mind, I am rather impatient. My impatience has led me to several of the libraries in the area, and recently, to this little (and I mean little) gem.
When I drove to Atherton Public Library, I thought I must have put the address into my GPS incorrectly. And then I saw it. Too cute for words. It's small, but they use their space wisely. Because the library is somewhat limited in what they carry, this probably isn't a place I would go back to just to browse. It would be a good place for someone who is completely overwhelmed by other libraries though, or someone who gets lost easily.
Hours are somewhat limited. Last I checked Monday - Wednesday 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Thursday - Friday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, and Sunday 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM.
If reviewing a library makes me nerdy, I am fine with that. Smart chicks are good in bed too. And won't bore you to tears when you aren't between the sheets. -
Review from Janel Y.
9/24/2008
A quaint, tucked away library off the beaten path, next to the Caltrain station and police station. I used to come here with my Dad a lot when I was a kid and we'd be greeted by Mark right when we entered.
Since going away for school and not really hanging out at the library there have been many new additions such as about 6 computers for users to use the Internet and maybe about 2 or 3 by the book stacks that I guess are used to search for books within the San Mateo County library system. What's cool is that they've even added wifi to the place!
It is a small library so all noises can be heard such as the door slamming when entering or leaving or when you walk to the bookshelves, you'll hear creaks in the floor and sometimes you'll be able to hear someone else's conversation.
Their DVD and CD collection is impressive for the size of the library. They have a self check-out, but there aren't too many tables for people to do work or study. 2 hour parking from M-F from 8AM to 5PM. -
Review from henry w.
Wow, what a cute little library! Its probably not the best place to find a huge selection of books as the place is super tiny.. but what it lacks in books, it makes up for in charm! My favorite place here is the secret garden in the back. Its crazy quaint and peaceful. I could imagine myself just coming here and lazying away the weekend to a good book. Such a hidden gem!
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Review from Beethoven C.
Palo Alto, CA
8/13/2009
Talk about a tiny library. The Atherton Public library is probably one of the smallest, if not the smallest public library in the San Mateo public library system.
That said, I have found that because it is tucked deep in Atherton, books located here rarely get checked out. I have been able to check out numerous books located at Atherton even when they are in heavy demand elsewhere. This library also has all of the standard library amenities - reasonable amount of parking, free wifi, a comfortable reading environment, reading programs, etc.
Given how awesome San Mateo's public library system is, and how many of the branches are easily accessible, it is hard to give Atherton's library more than three stars. Here's hoping that this library will be expanded at some point. -
Review from Jessica C.
San Francisco, CA
10/3/2010 3 Check-ins Here
i loove this library. i call it "the secret library"
it's very hidden and quiet. i enjoy this silence.
it is tiny but has all the good books, and almost all the new novels.
it has a pretty big selection of dvds too.
you realllly can't talk in here. everyone will be hearing your conversation and knowing your life story. and that is the beauty of a proper library. -
Review from Natalie K.
Mountain View, CA
3/20/2009
Yesterday I really wanted to check out I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb. I went to the Redwood City Library and the catalogue said it was in and also at Atherton Library. I went to the Fiction seciton and could not find it. I checked twice. I was going to ask a librarian to help, but there were four people ahead of me in line. Then I went to Atherton Public Library today with my friend. She had never been. It's the cutest library and very clean and organized. The librarian was really sweet and helpful. I've also gone when there was story time and it is so funny to see the kids try to sit still. It's great to know that places like this still exist!
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Review from Katharine A.
San Jose, CA
3/19/2007
This library reminds me of my childhood. It is one of the small things that hasn't changed very much over the years. This is the place to go if you want peace and tranquility. This library is tiny, but it still offers a great selection of new books and many computers. The peace can be broken when the children come for an event like storytime, but that is all part of the Atherton library's charm.
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Review from Samantha R.
Menlo Park, CA
1/29/2007
APL is located in an idyllic little intersection near the quaint free-parking Caltrain station and across the street from Atherton's Gomer Pyle-era municipal buildings. It is a small library but carries an astonishing array of DVDs. I was able to properly satiate my Queer As Folk obsession through APL. Probably oweing to the number of wealthy housewives in the area, there is also a very good collection of cookbooks and parenting books that I avoid because they make me feel guilty and inadequate. The elderly patrons have no doubt had an influence on the voluminous collection of suspense and mystery novels, as well as large treatises on how to figure out Medicare Part B and the like. The children's section is rather small. Their CD selection isn't terrible--they have The Editors, Talking Heads, lots of REM, etc. But they also have Hootie & The Blowfish, Sheryl Crowe, and NO Radiohead (!). One of the greatest features of this library is its generous hours--pretty much 10 to 7pm everyday! Where I grew up, the library was open maybe 4 hours a day, 3 days a week, so I'm impressed. Overall, it's a good library, particularly good for DVDs, recipe books, and all interests geriatric.
