Mitchell Park Library and Community Center on Middlefield Road celebrated its 10th anniversary on Nov. 16 with speeches, architectural tours and performances. 

The library, originally built in 1958, was opened after remodels in 2014 to include a bigger space for teens and children. 

Additionally, the building includes sustainable technology and infrastructure, which was a priority when designing the remodeled library. 

“We know that sustainability is a big priority here in the city [Palo Alto],” said Ruth Ann Garcia, Mitchell Park Library services manager. “So it is just kind of a nice marquee building here in town that shows what is possible with sustainable technology.”

According to Garcia, as the busiest library branch in the city, Mitchell park has the highest daily visitor count, circulation of books checked out and daily events. The materials and services the library has provided in the past 10 years remain essential to the community. 

“It’s all free,” Garcia said. “You don’t even have to have a library card to be here or use any of those things or attend events. We provide a really great service, ultimately, to the community … We have people in here from opening to close. We’ve got a lot of unhoused folks using the library, families, kids after school. It is a space for anyone to come.”

Librarian Elise Bernal said she believes that the library is an important part of the community for teenagers specifically because it gives them a place to relax and connect with others.

“I know the area here can be really stressful and academic, so it’s cool to have a space where they can come and have a chill way to meet friends, do service hours and build their own community,” Bernal said.

Bernal added that she enjoys the library because of the community that it created for her. 

“My favorite part [of the library] is the connection to the people in the community because you feel like you’re part of it,” Bernal said.