The Library will be closed on Monday, January 19th, 2026 in observance of MLK Jr. Day.
City of Burlingame
Vault to the Future
2026-2076
We're sending a message to the future! The City of Burlingame is creating a time capsule to be sealed for the next 50 years in a historic army tank locker at the Burlingame Community Center. We're seeking items that capture the spirit of our community for future generations to discover.
The term for the position is one year (June 2026 - May 2027)
Applications for the Burlingame-Hillsborough Youth Poet Laureate are open from November 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026. Please see the FAQ for information on this prestigious position, application requirements, and Laureate duties. For any additional questions, you may email the Teen Librarian at tinkham@plsinfo.org.
Children and teens get a free book when they finish their first reading log
Complete the log a maximum of four times
All ages — Get a ticket for each 5 days of reading to choose from the giveaway prize drawings
Drawing for prizes will be Monday, February 2, 2026
Prizes:
Two Large Octopuses
Gift cards for:
Buena's Soft Serve
Plucky's Cafe
Dumpling Kitchen
Top Golf
Five Little Monkeys
Barnes & Noble
Centro Pizza
This program is funded by the Burlingame Library Foundation and by a special donation from the Burlingame Lions Club.
Puzzles, Games, and Toy Swap
Saturday, January 10 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Main Level
We have a full year of swaps planned in order to reduce waste and share gently used items.
The first swap is puzzles, games, and toys. Bring your gently used items and find something new. Anything left over will be donated. Email Cynthia at rider@plsinfo.org with any questions.
Cut & Create: Cricut + ChompSaw Makers Lab
Monday, January 12 from 5pm – 6pm Tech Lab
Stop by the library and try out our ChompSaw and Cricut! Explore the tools, experiment with materials, learn with others, and see what you can create. No experience necessary—just bring your curiosity!
Registration dates will open one week before each session. January 26 February 2 February 9 February 23
This program is made possible in part through funding from Measure K and the Burlingame Library Foundation.
Let's Read! An ESL Book Group
Tuesday, January 13 at 6:30 PM Upper Level Meeting Room
Join our new book group. The first book is The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Participants will get a copy of this novel our first meeting on January 13th and we will discuss it in February. If you have questions, email Cynthia at rider@plsinfo.org
This program is made possible in part through funding from Measure K and the Burlingame Library Foundation.
Fixit Clinic Friday, January 23 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM Tech Lab
Welcome to the Fixit Clinic. Volunteers will help you fix your broken items. Registration is extremely helpful please. The link is on the San Mateo Office of Sustainability site. https://bit.ly/itemcheckin
If you have questions, email Cynthia at rider@plsinfo.org or call the library at 650-558-7400.
Author Talk: The World at Home with Ginny Kubitz Moyer
Saturday, January 24th at 2:00 PM Lane Community Room
Author Ginny Kubitz Moyer will chat with us about the history and inspiration behind her new novel. Set in booming San Francisco during WWII, The World at Home tells the story of Irene Mary Cleary, a young seamstress entering a new world of business, war, and classism. The talk will be followed by a Q&A and book signing.
Mondays 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Tuesdays 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Tech Lab
Join us at the Drop-in Sewing Lab on Mondays from 11am to 1pm and Tuesdays from 2pm - 4pm in The LAB! Bring your thread and fabric to finish your projects with the library's sewing machines. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned sewer, our makerspace is here to support your creativity. No experience necessary—just drop in and get stitching!
Third Thursday of the Month from 6 pm to 7 pm Upper Level Meeting Room
Booked on Crime 2026 List (up to May)
Our lively group meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM in the Upper Level Room. We read thrillers, mysteries, and sometimes true crime. Drop-ins are welcome. Please place your own hold to get a library copy of the book. If you have questions email Cynthia at rider@plsinfo.org or call the library.
Third Saturday of Each Month from 2 -3:30 PM Upper Level Meeting Room
Please join us for our next meeting of the Caregiver Support Group, which will feature a very special guest speaker. Dr. Maha Alkaid Albqoor is a registered nurse and public health professional with over 15 years of experience in community health, geriatric care, and health education. Dr. Albqoor's presentation is titled "Dementia Caregiving: Challenges, Coping, and Support". Among the topics to be covered are common challenges that dementia caregivers face, practical strategies for coping, and community resources & support. This will undoubtedly be a very informative meeting, so please join us on Saturday, January 17th at 2:00pm!
Computer Help Drop-In
Mondays and Thursdays 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesdays and Saturdays 10 am to 12 noon
Need specific assistance or have a general computer question? We are here to help!
Every Monday and Thursday 2 pm to 4 pm and Wednesday and Saturday 10 am to noon in the Tech Lab (Lower Level), the library hosts a Computer Help Drop-In. There are Volunteer Computer Tutors available to work one-on-one with you.
Whether you want to set up your first email or figure out your contact list, we can help. Laptops are provided or bring in your own device. Stop in and see if we can help you.
Let's Talk! Conversation for English Learners
January 7-May 14
The library has two sessions a week for people who want to work on their English conversation skills. One session is on Zoom and the other is in person. Email Cynthia at rider@plsinfo.org with any questions. All levels welcome.
Thursdays at 10AM in Upper Level Room. No registration needed.
Photo Lab
Tuesdays, 10am - 12pm
Tech Lab
Do you have boxes of old photos at home that you want to digitize? Drop into the Photo Lab where dedicated volunteers will help you scan and digitize your photos. Just bring your pictures and a flash drive to get started. *Please remove all photos from albums and come with pictures sorted*
Step into the future during our Mixed Reality Lab! Try out the latest Meta Quest 3 VR headsets and experience immersive virtual and mixed reality environments. Whether you're exploring new worlds, learning cutting-edge tech, or just curious about VR, this hands-on session is for you. Drop in and discover the possibilities!
Curious about what happens after 3D Printing Request Forms are turned in at the Lower Level Information Desk? Learn about the library's 3D printers, how to use slicing software, and share your 3D printed creations with other 3D printing enthusiasts!
Pickup a log at Burlingame Main or Easton Branch. Or logs can be downloaded here
Mark a starfish for each day you read
All ages get a giveaway ticket for each 5 days of reading to choose from the giveaway prize drawings:
Plucky’s Café- 2 $50
Top Golf- 1 $100
5 Little Monkeys- 5 $20
Barnes & Nobel- 5 $20
Buena’s Soft Serve- 5 $20
Centro Pizza- 4 $25
Dumpling Kitchen- 4 $25
Large Stuffed Octopus – 2 winners (one at Main and one at Easton)
Children and teens get a free book when they finish their first reading log
Complete the log a maximum of four times
Drawing for prizes will be Monday, February 2, 2026
Octopus Scavenger Hunt January 1 - 31, 2026
Dive into the library and help find our sneaky octopuses! They're crawling all over the Burlingame Main Library and Easton Branch.
Solve the secret phrase and earn a prize! One per child, while supplies last.
For Grades K-8
BPL Homework Center
Every Monday and Tuesday (January 20 - April 14, 2026)
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Lane Room
Build school skills and confident literacy! We welcome Kindergartners through 8th Graders to be paired with a Teen Mentor (with a 3.5+ GPA) for homework help and reading practice. Join us on Mondays and Tuesdays, from 4:00-5:30 PM, from January 20th to April 14th.* Parents or guardians must sign a permission form for the first session attended. Drop-In registration accepted.
*There will be no Homework Center on 2/16, 3/30, and 3/31 for holidays.
This program is funded by the Burlingame Library Foundation.
Mandarin Storytime for Children
Saturdays January 17, 2026, & February 28, 2026
At 11 am in the Children's Room
Featuring Jamie Gao, published author, educator, and founder of Jamie's Mandarin. Enjoy an engaging biligual storytime conducted in Mandarin and English, where language and imagination come together through storytelling and culture.
Learn to Play Chess for Kids in Grades 2-6
Saturdays, January 24 & February 28, 2026
From 3:30-4:30 pm at the Burlingame Public Library Lane Room
Learn to Play Chess for Kids is presented by Grupology
Join Teacher Bill from Happy Baby Signs for Sign Language Storytime!
In the Lane Room at Burlingame Public Library. This is an excellent method to improve your communication with your infant or toddler. No registration required.
Dates: January 14th, February 11th and March 11th at 10:30 am
Teen Friday: Peace, Love, Watercolor
Hazy shade of winter got you down? Let the sunshine in at our watercolor workshop!
No skills, no expectations, just paint, paper, and good vibes.
Friday, January 16, 2026 from 4:00 PM-5:00 PM in the Lane Room
BPL Homework Center: Teen Mentors in grades 9-12 WANTED!
If you are in grades 9-12, have a 3.5+ GPA, and want to help mentor kids in grades K-8 with their homework after school on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM in-person at the Library this semester, return completed applications to Teen Librarian Sarah Tinkham (tinkham@plsinfo.org) by Wednesday January 7. 2026
Homework Center begins on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 and runs through Tuesday, April 14, 2026*
*There will be no HWC on 2/16, 3/30, and 3/31 for holidays.
There is a mandatory training on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 4:00 PM.
New Homework Center Mentors can turn in an application for Homework Center to the Children's Desk or email their application to the teen librarian at tinkham@plsinfo.org
This program is funded by the Burlingame Library Foundation.
Burlingame-Hillsborough Youth Poet Laureate
The term for the position is one year (June 2026 - May 2027)
Applications for the Burlingame-Hillsborough Youth Poet Laureate are open from November 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026. Please see the FAQ for information on this prestigious position, application requirements, and Laureate duties. For any additional questions, you may email the Teen Librarian at tinkham@plsinfo.org.
Pickup a log at Burlingame Main or Easton Branch. Or logs can be downloaded here
Mark a starfish for each day you read
All ages get a giveaway ticket for each 5 days of reading to choose from the giveaway prize drawings:
Plucky’s Café- 2 $50
Top Golf- 1 $100
5 Little Monkeys- 5 $20
Barnes & Nobel- 5 $20
Buena’s Soft Serve- 5 $20
Centro Pizza- 4 $25
Dumpling Kitchen- 4 $25
Large Stuffed Octopus – 2 winners (one at Main and one at Easton)
Children and teens get a free book when they finish their first reading log
Complete the log a maximum of four times
Drawing for prizes will be Monday, February 2, 2026
Puzzles, Games, and Toy Swap
We have a full year of swaps planned in order to reduce waste and share gently used items.
Saturday, January 10 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Main Level
The first swap is puzzles, games, and toys. Bring your gently used items and find something new. Anything left over will be donated. Email Cynthia at rider@plsinfo.org with any questions.
Interested in joining a book club and meeting some new people?
Great Conversations Book Club
The Great Conversations Book Club meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month and is a community book club that meets in the Library, but is not staffed by the Burlingame Public Library. The Library assists the group in acquiring reading materials and booking a meeting space. The group's reading selections are based on materials from the Great Books Foundation.
For more information or to join the group, please contact Joan at 650-347-6754.
