SAN MATEO PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION

Project Read is the San Mateo Public Library’s adult and family literacy program and is one of several core programs supported by the SMPLF. Project Read provides free, confidential and goal-directed basic literacy tutoring to those over age 16 who wish to improve their literacy skills so that they can be effective as family members, workers, community members, and lifelong learners. Project Read provides opportunities for those who want to improve their reading and writing skills in order to be able to find better jobs and achieve self-sufficiency. In addition to one-on-one tutoring, Project Read subprograms also include the following:

·         Mother Goose, a family literacy program that enables families to enjoy books by teaching them to read or helping them to improve their reading skills. Through the Mother Goose program, families add books to their home libraries at no cost, share what they have learned with their children, and celebrate literacy

·         English Tutoring Classes for Spanish-speaking mothers in the community who had limited education in their home countries

·         Literacy and computer skill instruction for men and women in local substance abuse recovery programs

The Biotechnology Learning Center offers learning resources in the field of biotechnology and life sciences for students and adults. Working in collaboration with existing biotechnology education and training programs in San Mateo County, the Center provides a current, solid collection of technical print and electronic resources for students, professionals and others interested in learning about this growing field. The Center offers study and meeting areas, state-of-the-art equipment, display space and job listings, as well as scientific and educational seminars for all age groups. It is the only Biotechnology Learning Center in a public library in the U.S.

The San Mateo Public Library offers a comprehensive range of services for children. The department offers a wide selection of books, music, DVDs, videos, books on CD or cassette and magazines for infants through eighth graders. It also offers resources for school assignments and lifelong learning, free Internet access, computer stations, storytimes in English and Spanish, and much more.The Library's Teen Program is a haven for youth in the ninth to twelfth grades. The Teen Lounge area of the Library is dedicated to teens’ safety, education and interests. Here you will find youth-oriented educational and entertainment media, six computers, a plasma television and private study rooms – all adjacent to a cafe. The program offers educational opportunities like college admission preparation and teen book discussion groups, interactive entertainment programs such as karaoke and open mic poetry readings, and a Teen Advisory Group, wherein teen members meet monthly to provide leadership, give feedback and make suggestions on the program’s collection, which is instrumental in identifying teen reading trends and interests.

The San Mateo Public Library Foundation provides ongoing support for expansion of the Library’s collections of books, DVDs, newspapers, magazines and journals, and other resources.

Most extensive business and financial collection in a bay area public library. Includes specialty research materials and online marketing and financial databases. We also provide a variety of in house educational programs where experts in finance, taxation, and other business related topics speak and provide advice in their area of expertise.