The library is the most important place in the city, if you ask me. It helps me research and write my books, it offers them to people who might not get them otherwise, and most importantly, it teaches our younger citizens the value of becoming a lifetime reader.

—Eddie Muller, 2008 Library Laureate

Speak Out

Raise Your Voice

There are many ways to become a Friend of the San Francisco Public Library. We invite you to join us. Our members and donors enable us to fund outstanding, free library programs and services. You can also donate your books, which will be passed on for others to enjoy and also help raise funds for the Library.

While financial support of the library is a big part of what we do, Friends also has a long tradition of active citizen involvement. Each week, over 150 volunteers donate their time and energy to help Friends in our office, our bookstores, our book donation center or at special events.

Friends leads advocacy efforts to ensure a first-class library system for the San Francisco Public Library. Passionate citizens are always needed to remind elected officials and community members of the critical role that libraries play in our city.

And, with our Neighborhood Library Campaign, Friends will need both human resources and financial support to furnish and equip twenty-four branch libraries as part of the Branch Library Improvement Program.   

Volunteer

Advocacy

In 2007, Friends commissioned a study that outlines the economic benefit of the SFPL.  To read more about the study, click here.