We are pleased to present the 2024-2025 Annual Report for the San Mateo County Libraries. This report showcases our achievements, community impact, and growth over the past fiscal year. From expanded digital resources to innovative programming, this report highlights how our libraries continue to serve as vital community hubs throughout San Mateo County. Explore the data, stories, and milestones that demonstrate our commitment to providing equitable access to knowledge, technology, and enrichment for all residents.
Brisbane Library
Director’s Message Our work over the last year is a powerful reflection of what we can achieve together through a shared vision. We are proud to present the stories and successes captured in our FY 2024-25 Annual Report. Each year, we discover new and valuable ways to serve our community. At the heart of it all is our new Vision: Where community grows and thrives . Through accessible educational resources, uplifting programs and innovative tools, we invite you to learn, explore and be inspired. Guided by our updated Mission: Together, we build meaningful connections and inspire lifelong curiosity —we have renewed and revitalized our commitment to advancing literacy, engaging people of all ages, and promoting our services to ensure that more individuals can access the full range of opportunities we provide. In this report, you’ll see how our community-centered strategy has come to life in dynamic and impactful ways. This work wouldn’t be possible without our passionate library champions and dedicated partners. We’re deeply grateful to our Library JPA Governing Board and Operations Committee, committed Friends and Foundation, generous donors, devoted volunteers and our extraordinary staff. Thank you for your continued support, collaboration and enthusiasm. We’re excited to share this report showcasing our accomplishments and the positive impact our libraries continue to have.
Pacifica Sharp Park Library
Millbrae Library
Pacifica Sanchez Library
Foster City Library
Belmont Library
San Carlos Library
North Fair Oaks Library
East Palo Alto Library
Half Moon Bay Library
Atherton Library
Woodside Library
351 Square-Mile Service Area
Portola Valley Library
273,370 Service Population
Anne-Marie Despain Director
13 Libraries
Library Joint Powers Authority Governing Board
Atherton Rick DeGolia Belmont Julia Mates Brisbane Frank Kern
East Palo Alto Mark Dinan Foster City Art Kiesel Half Moon Bay Deborah Penrose
Millbrae Reuben Holober Pacifica Mary Bier Portola Valley Rebecca Flynn
San Carlos Sara McDowell
Woodside Dick Brown San Mateo County Lisa Gauthier
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Year in Numbers
Behind every number, there is a story unique to our communities. Each person who walks through our doors, every book checked out, laptop borrowed, and event attended is a chance to embody our values of belonging , connection , growth , access , compassion and creativity . We strive to deliver services and offer opportunities where our diverse communities feel seen, heard and valued. Whether visiting us in person or exploring our digital resources, every new library cardholder is welcomed and encouraged to explore. Our staff proudly reflects the rich diversity and unique backgrounds and experiences of our community. By offering responsive services, meaningful outreach and rich collections—we spark excitement for first-time users while deepening connections with lifetime library supporters. 2025
2025
Community 2025 Community Community 2025
FY 24-25
FY 24-25
FY 24-25
White, non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic
Asian Asian
44% 44%
24% 24%
23% 23%
5% 5%
Hispanic or Latino/a Hispanic or Latino/a
11,661 Programs and Events
2.4M Items Circulated
1.7M Library Visitors
Multiracial Multiracial
Black Black
Staff 2025 Staff 2025 Staff
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander American Indian/Alaska Native American Indian/Alaska Native
33% 33%
23% 23%
22% 22%
4% 4%
14% 14%
Other Other
Unspecified Unspecified
Atherton
Belmont
Brisbane
East Palo Alto Foster City
Half Moon Bay
Atherton
Belmont
Brisbane
East Palo Alto Foster City
Half Moon Bay
Atherton
Belmont
Brisbane
East Palo Alto Foster City
Half Moon Bay
Millbrae
North Fair Oaks Pacifica
Portola Valley San Carlos
Woodside
Millbrae
North Fair Oaks Pacifica
Portola Valley San Carlos
Woodside
Millbrae
North Fair Oaks Pacifica
Portola Valley San Carlos
Woodside
Half Moon Bay
Atherton
Belmont
Brisbane
East Palo Alto
Foster City
Asian
Hispanic or Latino/a
Black
Multiracial
White, non-Hispanic
Millbrae
North Fair Oaks
Pacifica
Portola Valley
San Carlos
Woodside
American Indian/Alaska Native
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
Unspecified
Other
2.8M Website Visits
41,984 Laptop Checkouts
14,274 New Cardholders
23,343 Hotspot Checkouts
249,967 Active Cardholders
4M WiFi Sessions
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Our Strategic Plan
Our Vision Where community grows and thrives Our Mission Together, we build meaningful connections and inspire lifelong curiosity
This year, we unveiled our new five-year strategic plan. Shaped by extensive community input, our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan is both responsive and forward-thinking, ensuring we remain aligned with community priorities while guiding meaningful progress in the years ahead. The plan grounds us in our shared goals: We listen to our communities and create responsive services and spaces where everyone belongs; connect people and build partnerships to achieve shared goals; champion a culture of continuous growth and discovery for all; and engage our communities through meaningful outreach and expanded access to resources. The plan reaffirms our promise to answer the diverse needs of our service district and to ensure our libraries remain vibrant, relevant and essential resources for all. San Mateo County Libraries is poised to continue our legacy as a trusted and important community resource. With a new vision, mission and goals that build on our strengths while encouraging resourcefulness and creativity, we remain focused on strengthening connections, expanding access, and honoring the public library traditions that have made us a cornerstone of community life. As we put this plan into action, we know our continued success depends on the insights, contributions and voices of the communities we serve.
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We create moments for every stage and phase of life to foster growth and curiosity. Our programs connect reading and stories to real-life experiences and invite authors and illustrators into our libraries. Some reach young readers directly through school visits and reading lists, while others connect to adults with book signings and thoughtful discussions. Our annual Summer Adventure initiative reaches thousands of participants of all ages, inspiring all to explore their interests and celebrate progress along the way. These shared experiences remind us how powerful it is to feel seen and motivate us to set new learning goals.
Boundless Possibilities We champion a culture of continuous growth and discovery for all.
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Learning, community, the excitement of discovery. I could go on and on. Excellent library system—way to go, County of San Mateo!”
programs continue to grow. Our bilingual citizenship classes and voter education workshops reinforce our essential role in a healthy democracy, ensuring everyone can participate fully. At the heart of everything we do is a deep commitment to connection. From nurturing a love of reading in our youngest patrons to fostering togetherness and purpose among older adults, we aim to create experiences for everyone.
LIBRARY PATRON
We recognize our communities’ desire to feel empowered and invest in the future. To meet that need, we expanded our financial literacy programs to offer expert workshops on investing, retirement planning and managing debt. Vital English learning classes, as well as adult literacy, reading and writing tutoring
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Branching Out Our libraries are spaces for curiosity, learning and new experiences, including exploration of the natural world. This year, we invited our communities to explore how environmental issues connect to daily life, health and neighborhoods. Partnering with Canopy, a local nonprofit dedicated to growing the urban tree canopy, we brought climate-focused discovery directly to our libraries. These featured bilingual gardening workshops, tree walks, climate justice presentations and community listening sessions in socioeconomically diverse settings. Community members joined us to explore outdoor spaces and deepen their knowledge of how to care for the environment. These offerings were tailored to reflect the communities we serve and designed to feel inviting and relevant. Participants enjoyed engaging in important dialogue about community priorities such as climate resiliency and closing the “green gap” in under-resourced areas. Together, we created an inspiring opportunity for hands-on learning and meaningful conversations, ensuring that diverse voices are celebrated in our inclusive community efforts.
I’m recently retired, and the many library activities have helped me try new things and meet lots of nice people. Library Patron
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Ageless Adventures Our 55+ programs connect older adults with fresh ways to engage and build community. Through thoughtfully designed field trips and rewarding social activities, we promote wellness and help combat isolation. These moments offer meaningful ways to connect and feel a part of something beyond the routine of everyday life. Many activities focus on staying active, developing new skills and creating space to gather with others. By offering small group workshops, wellness activities, tech help and more, we’re responding directly to the interests and values expressed by local older adults. They represent one of our fastest-growing demographics. In response, we’re expanding a range of programs that support active lifestyles, lifelong curiosity and forming new friendships in a welcoming, low-pressure environment. Our goal is to offer consistent opportunities that help individuals foster connections—to their library, community and one another.
Photo by Anna Koch-Kenney/Embarcadero Media
132 Trees Provided
482 Attendees
16 Field Trips
380 Attendees
A whole new world becomes available to me thanks to the impressive work of the libraries. Library Patron
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People count on us to show up for them where they live, work and play. Expanding our presence helps us share all the opportunities the library has to offer. Through valuable partnerships and convenient access to library experiences, we open the doors to increased use and relevance. We build enriching connections that strengthen our communities and have allies in our efforts to offer essential services and help people flourish. In collaboration with our local school districts, we combine efforts to reach youth with proven strategies that strengthen literacy, boost confidence and foster a love of reading and learning.
Partnerships in Action We connect people and build partnerships to achieve shared goals.
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I am grateful the library goes above and beyond to include and support everyone.
access. Trusted partnerships that bridge community needs allow everyone to contribute what they do best, benefiting our residents. With every collaboration, we amplify our impact. Our efforts, made stronger through our dedicated partners, nurture individuals through connection to resources and each other, taking our communities to new heights.
LIBRARY PATRON
When we identify a community need that our libraries can address, we act. This year, we worked with San Mateo County Health to add blood pressure monitors to our collection. These kinds of practical, human-centered resources reflect how libraries have evolved—meeting needs that range from health to warmth in the winter, from job readiness to digital
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Community Home Runs
We show up in new and unexpected places to build community connections and library awareness. Our enhanced outreach efforts included delivering the library experience to thousands at high- profile community events like Library Night with the San Francisco Giants and the San Mateo County Fair. In the spring, we teamed up with the Giants and our Foundation to host a pre-game festival. Fans explored our Makermobile, browsed eBooks, and took home memorable library giveaways, including baseball-themed books. During the game, the Giants boosted our message about all that modern libraries offer, reaching 30,000 fans with our public service announcement on the big screen. Closer to home, at the County Fair, we created a vibrant reading garden where visitors of all ages enjoyed a carefully curated selection of books. Wherever we go, our fun, interactive activities and outreach efforts result in smiles, inspiration and engagement—reminding people that the library is always within reach.
Thank you for helping me find a home and community. The library has made a true difference in my life. Library Patron
Stronger Together “
When residents reach out for help, we step up to connect them to essential resources. Together with partners like Coastside Hope, Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA) and the YMCA Community Resource Center, we help families access resources connecting them to food, rental assistance, diaper supplies, utility relief and referrals for healthcare. Navigating assistance and complex forms can feel overwhelming for those in need. In the trusted, familiar spaces of our libraries, community members can easily access everyday library services and the expertise of our dedicated partners. We bring people together to address community needs and aspirations. With tax preparation, legal aid, digital skills training and emergency food sources, our partners provide life-changing services. By bridging community needs with library services, we help people move toward greater stability and well-being.
410 Library Night Attendees
4,866 County Fair Attendees
416 Social Safety Net Hours
626 Families Served
The amount of resources provided to all members of our community across the county, the way we are able to reach and include everyone... it makes me grateful. Library Patron
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We create moments that ignite discovery, growth and curiosity and expand access to resources—offering essential tools and unexpected experiences that support individuals at every stage of life. Libraries are built on the promise of free and equal access to information and knowledge. With a wide range of services and access points, we ensure access for all, removing barriers and opening doors to opportunity.
Access for All We engage our communities through meaningful outreach and expanded access to resources.
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I was blown away by the incredible collection... it’s a paradise for readers, elders as well as kids. Keep it up!
LIBRARY PATRON
From books and early literacy initiatives that set the stage for success to hands-on makerspaces, 3D printers, podcasting kits, memory labs and virtual reality headsets, our libraries are equipped with tools that inspire creativity and fuel invention. We offer WiFi hotspots and laptops for checkout, along with classes in digital literacy and emerging technologies— critical resources to ensure everyone has the opportunity to keep pace in an ever- changing world. Connecting community members to the resources that best meet their needs, we provide personalized pathways to learning, creativity and support.
Our library champions thrive by learning alongside our communities. Exploration isn’t just something we promote—it’s something we live every day. We also actively build awareness, because the library shouldn’t be the community’s best-kept secret. With the right tools, the library continues to expand its reach— welcoming new users, celebrating loyal patrons and showing our entire community that the library is for everyone.
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Imagination Delivered We’re making it easier than ever for families to spark a love of reading from day one and on every doorstep. Through our partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, families
with children 0-5 can sign up to receive free books in the mail each month.
Since its launch, thousands of children in San Mateo County have been enrolled, turning the simple joy of opening the mail into a powerful literacy moment. By removing cost and access barriers for young families, we’re establishing a love of reading and creating more opportunities for every child to build a strong foundation for learning. The Imagination Library is made possible thanks to the California State Library and our nonprofit partners, The Dollywood Foundation,
The library hosts multicultural programs, English conversation clubs, tech classes for seniors and more! Library Patron
Well Aware “
To deepen engagement and reach more people, we unveiled a new multilingual ad campaign designed to raise awareness of the vast range of library resources, events and activities. These ads highlighted classic library services and our newest, most innovative offerings. With catchy messaging like “From Books to Bikes” and “From Tech Classes to Museum Passes,” the ads made thousands of impressions. We experimented with new strategies to reach people, including through social media. Our bold, colorful ads in English, Spanish and Mandarin appeared online, on buses and in local stores. In three months, the campaign drew close to 30,000 hits to our Welcome webpage, where visitors signed up for library cards, discovered our programs and accessed valuable resources. This campaign marked an exciting shift in our communication, and we remain committed to finding creative, inclusive ways to invite more people to the libraries.
the Foundation for San Mateo County Libraries and our local
Friends of the Library groups. Their generous support allows us to reach families where it matters most— at home—providing the tools and encouragement kids need to read, grow and thrive.
7,213 Children Enrolled
47,731 Books Provided
3.4M Bus Ad Impressions
4.1M Digital Ad Impressions
There’s no more tangible, better way to improve literacy for children than to provide books, and to have those books not just at the library, but mailed directly to the child with their name on it. Caiti Busch, Chair of the Foundation for San Mateo County Libraries
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We hear our patrons in the languages they speak, the stories they share and the cultures they celebrate. Our multilingual collections and cultural programming allow individuals to feel represented and included. Our growing collection isn’t just about materials, it encourages people to try new things, learn at their own pace and foster creativity. The ever-expanding Library of Things now includes karaoke machines, puzzles and video games. Beyond these exciting offerings, every viewpoint has a place on our shelves, because true learning grows from the freedom to explore all ideas.
Rooted in Community We listen to our community and create responsive services and spaces where everyone belongs.
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The library is the heart of the community. I love how much the library staff care and all the community events hosted there.”
food distribution centers, fairs and festivals, we engage residents. At every stop, the Makermobile and Bookmobile enliven and enrich their communities. Our talented staff and wonderful volunteers create a welcoming atmosphere that inspires community and includes all. The impact of their work is reflected in stronger literacy rates, greater civic participation, increased job readiness and personal well- being that shape our thriving communities.
LIBRARY PATRON
Open seven days a week, each of our 13 libraries is a unique destination, inspiring lifelong curiosity. Enhanced spaces and creative solutions like the Pacifica Library Outpost, a 24/7 library lending machine, help us reach people in new and exciting ways. We create welcoming spaces wherever we go—at schools, laundromats,
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Destination Libraries
Our libraries are designed to build community. They’re places where form meets function, and people of all ages can gather, imagine and learn. We are always looking for new ways to make our libraries both more comfortable and captivating. Each time someone enters our libraries to find a comfy seat or the latest technology, it’s thanks to the behind-the-scenes work of our diligent staff. Building upgrades and new spaces are also thanks to the strong work of our dedicated and trusted partners, including local cities and Friends groups. Most recently, we were excited to refresh our Belmont Library with updates inside and out, including fresh paint, new furniture, plus advanced meeting room technology and a shining new makerspace. Together with our community, we celebrated the reopening with storytime, poetry, cultural performances, maker activities and more. Through ongoing improvements and exciting transformations, we’re always inviting our communities to rediscover the familiar, with each visit offering something new.
Library Champions “ It’s obvious the requirements to work for San Mateo County Libraries, in any capacity, are kindness, followed closely by patience, dedication and joy. Library Patron
Our library champions are at the heart of everything we do. This year, staff across San Mateo County Libraries leaned into growth, shared bold ideas and fostered a culture of curiosity and continuous learning. We celebrate our team—from long-time staff who know our communities deeply to new team members who bring fresh perspectives. Our workforce intentionally reflects the diversity of the County, and many are bilingual, creating connections that feel personal, inclusive and welcoming. Training and development remained a priority, with staff stepping into new roles and investing time to strengthen skills. Internal programs like Pitch It made space for reflection, new ideas and innovations. This fun initiative encourages staff to take risks and turn breakthrough ideas into valuable services. Our volunteers, from Friends groups to community advocates, play a vital role in extending our reach. Their dedication ensures our libraries remain closely connected to the people we serve.
2,093 Belmont Library Reopening Attendees
35,079 Systemwide Open Hours
92% Are Proud to Work Here
5,105 Staff Training Hours
We are so fortunate to have a space where all generations can come together, whether it’s reading a favorite book, exploring the makerspace, borrowing a musical instrument, or just being in community with one another. Julia Mates, Mayor of Belmont and Chair of the Library JPA Governing Board
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Always open for exploration at smcl.org
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