Our Library; Our Impact

From community connections to children’s literacy, our SFPL far transcends books. The San Francisco Public Library is a beacon for so much good in San Francisco. From homeless services, immigration help, author readings, craft and performance programs and unrestricted internet access, the library is a free space that empowers every member of our society with tools to learn and engage the community around them. No matter the socioeconomic background, every person in San Francisco is a part of the library. Whether it’s participating in library services, or supporting the voter-approved Library Preservation Fund, the library is part of our identity. Board member Sarah Jones said it best in a recent speech at the 2019 Library Laureates fundraiser, “It’s not the library, it’s our library.” Friends is an integral part of making sure the library is fully equipped to take on its important work. While the city covers the library’s staffing and operational costs, private donations allow Friends to pay for expenses that fall outside of the city’s capacity and to more quickly respond to needs. Support include fees for subcontracted service providers; honorariums for authors, artists and curators; collections acquisition; equipment; program supplies; food; multilingual materials; and professional training to keep SFPL librarians on the leading edge of innovation. By supporting Friends, you can see the direct impact you are having on the 2018 Library of the Year. The partnership between Friends, the Library, and you is the reason our library is so successful and nationally recognized as a beacon of inclusivity in our community