Thousands of Used Books Take Over the Community Center

State Street’s pistache trees hit full crimson just in time for an unhurried Saturday morning stroll. If you are heading out early, make sure to leave room in your canvas tote for a few extra paperbacks.

---

The Lead

The Friends of the Los Altos Library Fall Book Sale opens to the general public this morning at the Los Altos Community Center, filling the Grand Oak Room with thousands of donated volumes. Following Friday night's member preview, today’s sale features fiction, nonfiction, children’s literature, and holiday books priced largely at one to two dollars, alongside a silent auction of collectible editions and puzzles.

The semi-annual sale serves as the nonprofit’s primary financial engine, directly funding Santa Clara County Library District branch programming, summer reading initiatives, and the Books4Schools fund for local elementary classrooms. Volunteers restock tables continuously throughout the day, while Sunday brings the traditional five-dollar clearance, where visitors can pack a provided brown bag to the brim between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

---

Local Pulse

• City Sets General Plan Workshop Date City Hall Residents can help guide long-term zoning and open space policies next Saturday at Shoup Park's Garden House.

• Downtown Canopy Reaches Peak Autumn Foliage Community Vibrant Chinese pistache and sweetgum trees reached full autumn color this weekend along Main and State streets.

• Bicentennial Exhibit Concludes Sunday at Museum Community Sunday marks your final opportunity to explore the American 250th installation before winter gallery rotations begin.

---

Today's Outlook

• High 74°F · Low 48°F — Overcast
  • Expect comfortable afternoon temperatures under cloudy skies, but keep a sweater handy after sunset.

---

What's On Around Town

Today

• Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale Los Altos Community Center (97 Hillview Ave), 10:00 AM–4:00 PM · Free Thousands of donated books, vintage prints, and silent auction specials.

• Baby Sign and Stay and Play Los Altos Library (13 S San Antonio Rd), 10:30 AM–12:00 PM · Free Gentle signing songs and social playtime for pre-walking infants.

• Silicon Valley Kids' Book Fair Cupertino High School (10100 Finch Ave), Cupertino, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM · Free Dozens of children's authors, storytelling sessions, and hands-on activities.

• Stanford Philharmonia Fall Concert Bing Concert Hall (327 Lasuen St), Stanford, 7:00 PM · Paid Beethoven overtures and classical favorites performed by campus musicians.

Tomorrow

• Friends of the Library Bag Sale Los Altos Community Center (97 Hillview Ave), 11:00 AM–2:00 PM · $5
• The Spirit of '76: Reflecting on America's 250th Los Altos History Museum (51 S San Antonio Rd), Noon–4:00 PM · Free
• Board Game Sunday! Los Altos Library (13 S San Antonio Rd), 2:00–3:30 PM · Free

Monday

• Monday Morning Meditation & Mindfulness Los Altos Library (13 S San Antonio Rd), 10:30–11:00 AM · Free
• Powwow Dance Demonstration Los Altos Library (13 S San Antonio Rd), 7:00–8:00 PM · Free

---

Spotlight & Story

• Downtown Merchant Strolls
  • In 1963, downtown shopkeepers formed an association to stop new regional shopping centers from luring customers away from the village. They pooled money for sidewalk flowerpots, tree lights, and festive evening strolls, establishing an after-hours tradition that still fills Main and State.

---

Los Altos Daily Digest — compiled from local sources every morning. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

Sent with care by MailerDot — your city, every morning.