The San Mateo Main Library marks its 20th anniversary on Saturday, Aug. 29, and the city is throwing a party.

A free community celebration runs from noon to 3 p.m. at the Main Library, 55 W. Third Ave. The afternoon features taiko drumming, folklórico dance, jazz piano and Persian music, plus light refreshments and the grand opening of PLUR Coffee's newest location on the building's third floor at 11 a.m.

The San Mateo Buddhist Temple Taiko group, which performed at both the library's 2006 grand opening and its 10th anniversary, kicks off the festivities at 12:15 p.m. in the lobby. Cultural performances follow every 20 minutes in the Oak Room from 1 to 2:45 p.m., according to the city's event listing.

The lineup includes a ukulele jam with Charlie Chin and Victor Labrador, a Grupo Folklórico de San Mateo High School dance set, and a jazz and swing piano recital by local student Aarohi Kher. A Persian musical performance by Amir Etemadzadeh and Mint Tea Productions closes the afternoon.

City Librarian Rukshana Singh, a San Mateo native who grew up visiting the Marina branch, now leads the system she once used as a kid. Singh joined the library staff in 2012, served as deputy city librarian managing an $8 million budget, and was appointed city librarian in 2025 by City Manager Alex Khojikian with approval from the Library Board of Trustees, according to a city press release. She manages more than 60 staff members.

"I'm honored to lead a library system that has meant so much to me personally and professionally, and I aim to make it the best library on the Peninsula," Singh said in the city's April 2025 announcement of her appointment. Among her stated priorities: overseeing the renovation of the Marina Branch Library, the same branch where she discovered reading as a child.

The Main Library opened Aug. 27, 2006, after voters approved a $35 million bond measure in 1999. Designed by EHDD Architecture, the building earned LEED Gold certification. Solar panels were added to the roof in 2012. Since opening, the library's ten free conference rooms have logged more than 250,000 reservations, according to the library's Facebook page.

The anniversary year kicked off April 25 with a "Generations Day" cake-cutting event. The Aug. 29 celebration is free and open to all ages. For details, call (650) 522-7800.