Mitchell Park Library — Attraction in Palo Alto

AMAZING library, everything is amazing except one thing...One day i was here and i was about to leave the library to go hang out with a friend, but my friend had to use the bathroom first so as im waiting, i see one of those mini pocket lighters laying on one of the seats and it had that clear liquid still in it, and thats dangerous, so in attempt to prevent the start of a fire in the library, i take it up to the front desk, to let front desk staff know, it was sitting there out in the open, and when i got there, there was one staff member there, she looked like she had a bad day and she was sitting there, so i say to her, "Uh, hello. I found this pocket lighter on one of the seats over there and i just wanted to turn it in to here for safety." she replied, "OK?! and WHYd you pick it up??? And what do you want ME to do with it?! put it in the lost and found or something?!" and i said, "well, i just thought it was dangerous just lying there, because some naive young kid could pick it up thinking it was a toy or something..." and she said in a mocking voice, "Ok.. watch me as i put this in the trash... There are you happy?" then i was like, "...um... yes.... thanks?" then i just awkwardly walked away towards my friend and told her the whole thing... i hope i dont have to talk to THAT staff...

I was incredibly disappointed with Mitchell Park Library's Saturday storytime with Alicia. My child started crying, which is completely normal for toddlers. Instead of handling the situation with understanding, the staff rudely asked us to leave.

It’s shocking that a place meant for children and families lacks the empathy to support parents. They showed a complete disregard for the realities of parenting.

I expected a community space to be more accommodating, especially for young children. I won't be returning and would caution other parents to think twice before attending story time with Alicia.

If you weren’t there, you have no business commenting on whether it was an "aeroplane" or a library. The staff didn’t politely ask me to "leave and return when the kid is quiet" —they rudely demanded that I leave. Also, this was during story time, when all kids are loud - even ENCOURAGED to be loud.

If you were not there and don't know what went down, keep your opinions to yourself. Yes, it's a library, supposedly a welcoming community space for everyone, not some "aeroplane." Therefore, I expect basic decency from library staff...

I witnessed a very disturbing incident at this library. A Latina woman, who was there with her child, was being harassed by a white woman. Instead of addressing the harassment fairly, a white male staff member took the side of the harasser and told the Latina woman that he would have her removed from the library along with her child.

This is unacceptable and shows clear bias in how patrons are treated. Libraries are supposed to be safe, welcoming places for everyone, not spaces where staff enable harassment or threaten to expel parents and children who are the actual victims.

Management should address this kind of discriminatory and unprofessional behavior immediately. Community members deserve to know this is happening, and families deserve to...