What are the opening hours?

Monday 10am - 8pm Tuesday 10am - 8pm Wednesday 10am - 8pm Thursday 10am - 8pm Friday 10am - 8pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 10am - 5pm

San Mateo County Libraries

Home
United States
San Mateo, CA
San Mateo County Libraries

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

San Mateo County Libraries builds meaningful connections and inspires lifelong curiosity.

San Mateo County Libraries are incomparable destinations for learning and growth. Each of our thirteen libraries is part of a larger family offering worlds of discovery and technological opportunities. More than 160,000 community members or 62 percent of the service population have library cards, and more than two million people visit us in person annually. Our physical and digital collections include nearly one million items and are always growing, and we are evolving too, making the most of every opportunity for innovation and advancement in technology. As one of the largest providers of free internet access in the county, San Mateo County Libraries are equipped with wireless service and hundreds of public computers connected to a 1GBps network, and tablets, laptops and WiFi hotspots for checkout. We are readers and educators at our core, a library tradition we will always embrace as champions of early literacy and exploration at every stage of life. We continually assess the needs of our residents, responding with thoughtfully designed programs and initiatives that enrich lives and uplift the community. We host over 8,000 events each year, curating programming that is designed to enrich and uplift our communities. Through innovative outreach services and our bookmobile, enriching experiences are also delivered beyond library buildings. Our residents comprise a diverse collection of individuals, and our services reflect that. All of these pieces culminate in a message of sharing—whether it’s knowledge, experience, stories, or resources. San Mateo County Libraries provide unmatched service to our community members, and we are consistently ranked as one of the best libraries in the nation. Our vision is to ignite growth through transformative experiences, and it is our mission to strengthen our communities by creating an inclusive sense of place and an environment of learning.

10/22/2026

Happy National Friends of the Library Week to our amazing Friends groups and the Foundation for San Mateo County Libraries! 🫂

Together with San Mateo County Libraries, these dedicated community partners help enrich lives and expand access to the resources, programs and experiences that make our libraries so special. 📖

So far this year, our Friends groups have contributed more than 4,500 volunteer hours in support of our libraries. From running book sales and bookshops to organizing donations and providing vital funding, Friends volunteers make a meaningful difference in their communities. Each group is unique, reflecting the spirit and generosity of the community it serves. 🛍️

The Foundation for San Mateo County Libraries supports systemwide library programs and services, helping bring opportunities to learn, connect and thrive to communities throughout the county. Alongside the ongoing support of San Mateo County Libraries, these contributions help strengthen our libraries and expand their impact. 💙

Learn more about our Friends groups and the Foundation: https://smcl.org/friends-of-the-library/

10/20/2026

Our Gothic Classics series is back! 👻

Looking for a haunted house novel that's also a literary masterpiece? Discover Toni Morrison's piercing, intimate masterpiece, Beloved.

Each October, San Mateo County Libraries highlights a classic of gothic literature. This year, discover Toni Morrison's piercing, intimate…

10/14/2026

Poet and classicist Anne Carson is the winner of the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature for her inventive and timeless collection of written works.

Dive into her powerful stories available online and in-person at smcl.org/anne-carson

10/10/2026

Grab your beanie and your favorite book. It's fall, y'all! 🍂

Find your next cozy read at smcl.org 📚

10/08/2026

In observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day, San Mateo County Libraries and Customer Care will be closed on Sunday, October 11, and Monday, October 12.

Half Moon Bay Library will be closed on Saturday, October 17, and Sunday, October 18, for the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival.

10/07/2026

Caution! Banned Books! ⚠️

Our libraries pulled together displays sharing the "danger" of banned books like The Hunger Games, The Lorax, The Handmaid's Tale and more.

Protect your freedom to read by exploring these titles at our libraries and learn more about the attempts to ban them at smcl.org/bannedbooks 🧨

10/06/2026

It's Banned Books Week—so how about we just Let Books Be? 🔥

Swipe through and learn how to defend your right to read with just 10, 30 or 60 minutes of your time. Visit smcl.org/bannedbooks to start getting involved today! 📚

10/05/2026

Who's ready for all things October? 🎃

This month, join us for events celebrating spooky season, indie authors, Diwali, Latinx Heritage Month and Día de los Mu***os at our libraries all month long.

Let us know in the comments what you're most looking forward to! 💟

10/02/2026

📣 Starting Monday, October 5, Libby and Kanopy will require a PIN when signing in.

As the update rolls out, you may be asked to enter your library card number and PIN when signing in—this is the same information you already use for your San Mateo County Libraries account.

If you forgot your PIN, no problem! Visit www.smcl.org/pin to reset it.

09/28/2026

Our Dolly Day celebrations may be wrapping up, but our commitment to literacy is an every day effort. 📝

We're still looking for volunteer Adult Literacy Tutors! This life-changing program pairs a learner with a tutor for weekly study sessions. Make a difference by helping adult learners build their reading and writing skills in our libraries. 📖

Learn more and apply today: https://smcl.org/adult-learning/

Address

125 Lessingia Court
San Mateo, CA
94402

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 8pm
Tuesday	10am - 8pm
Wednesday	10am - 8pm
Thursday	10am - 8pm
Friday	10am - 8pm
Saturday	10am - 5pm
Sunday	10am - 5pm

Telephone

+18339377625

Website

http://www.smcl.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when San Mateo County Libraries posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to San Mateo County Libraries:

Want your organization to be the top-listed government service in San Mateo?