Library launches film group

The Menlo Park Library is trying out some fresh ideas, including one that would bring pop-up libraries to city parks.

With help from Library Commission members, the library is launching a monthly film discussion group June 6 and soon plans to ask the City Council to back a yearlong experiment of providing “little free libraries” at three parks.

The film discussion group is the brainchild of Commissioner Lynne Bramlett, who partnered with the Guild Theatre to make it happen. She got the idea from respondents to a commission survey who chose a film group as their main preference, as well as from a petition to save the Guild from redevelopment. Guild operator Landmark Theatres is on a month-to-month lease.

“I was aware we’ve already knocked down the Park (Theater) and maybe the Guild is next,” Bramlett said. “It’s also a way to maybe get more business there.”

The free discussion group will take place the first Tuesday of every month, except in July on Independence Day — and attendees will discuss whatever film played over that weekend at the Guild.

Commissioner Jacqueline Cebrian is leading the effort to get outdoor libraries installed at three city parks. She chose Sharon Park, Marketplace Park and Kelly Park, which are in the Sharon Heights and Belle Haven neighborhoods, because they are farthest from the main library. Cebrian runs a little free library outside her home, which she purchased for $500 through the city’s Belle Haven mini-grant program.

She said she isn’t seeking money from the city, but wants buy-in and advice from the council. She said commissioners could act as stewards for the park libraries, and books donated to the library could stock the shelves. Ideally, the community would continue to stock the shelves by adding their own books.