Library | Events | Kids | Teens | en español

Attendees of the James Edmondson author talk played with typography stamps on Saturday

January 12, 2026

We're back with new opportunities to volunteer with Redwood City Public Library. Start the new year by giving back to your community!

Traveling Storytime is one of Redwood City Public Library’s most rewarding volunteer opportunities. For years, volunteers of all ages have shared stories, songs and smiles with more than 230,000 children. Just 30 minutes a week, volunteers visit local daycare centers and preschools to bring books to life—and help spark a lifelong love of reading. No teaching experience required—just a love of books and kids.

Why it matters: The impact is written all over the children’s faces—their smiles, laughter and eager attention during storytime. Wendy Winkler, a volunteer of 24 years who recently retired, called it “30 minutes of joy each week.”

Volunteers spend half hour a week reading to a group of preschool-age children. Volunteers receive training and storytime bags containing books, finger puppets, songs and more.

To learn more about volunteering with Traveling Storytime, go here

We're highlighting free learning resources available at your library this month. Next up: Career Online High School 

Want to kick start your education goals? Start the 2026 year off right by getting your high school diploma free through the Redwood City Library. Career Online High School offers adults the opportunity to complete their high school education and gain career training through a self-paced, supportive and accredited online education program. All learners are supported throughout the program by our Project READ staff.


To get started, go here

Red Morton Teen Takeover with the Cops!

Ages 10-17

Friday, January 23 | 6-8pm

TEENS! We’re shutting down Red Morton Community Center to everyone but YOU! What is the Teen Takeover?! The entire Community Center will only be open to teens ages 10-17, for pickup basketball games, pickleball, Youth Center Access, DJ & Silent Disco, crafting stations, gamer lounge, snack shack, giveaways and more. Snacks available all evening so come hungry! Bring a friend and spread the word! It's all FREE!

Questions? Contact Telisha Brent at tbrent@redwoodcity.org

Brought to you by the Redwood City Parks, Recreation & Community Services, Redwood City Police Department,  Redwood City Public Library, Redwood City Together, San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff's Activities League, and Redwood City CHP

YANovCon is back!

The Peninsula Libraries' 11th annual Young Adult Novelists Convention (YANovCon) will take place Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 11am to 4:30pm at the Belmont Library. 

Escape into fiction with us at the YANovCon, a free, half-day convention connecting local teens and YA enthusiasts (or fans or readers) to some of today's top YA authors. We'll start the day with a Teen Writing Workshop led by novelist Arriel Vinson, followed by a keynote address by author Don Martin. The convention will include a Q&A session and three engaging panel discussions exploring topics connected to this year’s theme, Fantasy vs. Reality: Escape into Fiction. YANovCon will conclude with author book signings. Books will be available to purchase on-site thanks to our wonderful partnership with Linden Tree Books.

If your New Year’s resolutions include decluttering, join us for our first donation event of the year on Saturday, January 17. Drive up and drop off your gently used books, CDs, puzzles, and DVDs at one of two convenient drop-off locations:

Downtown Library – 1044 Middlefield Rd | 10am–12pm

Redwood Shores Branch Library – 399 Marine Pkwy | 10–11:30am

The Friends of the Redwood City Public Library Children’s Book Sale takes place on Saturday, January 31, from 10am–12pm, in the Family Place at the Downtown Library. We will have a huge selection of high-quality chapter, paperback, picture, young reader, young adult and Spanish-language books! Prices starting at 25 cents! More info here

Register for Redwood City’s January BOSS Meetup 

Join local business owners on Wednesday, January 21, for the upcoming BOSS (Business Owners Sharing Stories) Meetup. Hosted by Karen Jaw-Madson, hear from three different types of personal and business service providers. Each of these business owners has approached their business development strategy differently, and each of them has found success in their own way.

Meet the Panelists

• Kate Mosley, owner of three Orangetheory Fitness locations in the Bay area
• Trulee Lee, owner of Careful Clean
• Luis Velasquez, owner of Velas Coaching

Event Details 

• Wednesday, January 21  
• 4:30pm
• 801 Jefferson Ave 

Use the link here to register. You won’t want to miss this event!