​Friends and Foundation of the San Francisco Library maintains the Children and Youth Fund that designates $350,000 in annual program support for Library programs that inspire 1,000s of children to read and to succeed academically from birth through high school, and into college and first careers.

FOR FAMILIES

Summer Stride is the Library’s annual summer reading and STEM learning program for all ages. It engages over 17,000 children, parents, and caregivers to read for 20 hours and to participate in any of the 1,000 free programs. Activities inspire family-based learning through play, games, music, book readings, and exploring nature with the National Park Service. In addition, Summer Stride combats “summer slide,” the documented learning loss in reading and math often experienced by students over the summer.

The Fisher Children’s Center at the Main Library contains the flagship collection for children’s books, exhibits, and programs to promote children’s enjoyment of literature, media, information, and recreational reading. The Center is for children, parents, childcare providers, educators, individuals, and researchers. 

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FOR PRESCHOOLERS THROUGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Brain Cafe provides year-round weekly programming at every branch that encourages young children to engage in fun and interactive “thinking games.” Activities include Lego building, coloring, crafts, board games, dance, movement, and performance by child entertainers, all coordinated with regular story times. 

FOG Readers matches community volunteers with students for one-on-one tutoring live and online. Using a highly structured program based on the Orton-Gillingham methodology, the program is designed to accelerate reading skills in students with learning differences in grades 1-4, primarily from, but not limited to, the San Francisco Unified School District.

Big Playdates, Tricycle Music Fest, and Community Baby Showers bring children and parents into the branches in unique ways to celebrate and connect growing families with the extensive, free, and lifelong support found at the public library. 

Dìa de los niños, Dìa de los libros is a one-day celebration of children and books held annually at the Potrero del Sol Park to promote the importance of children’s literacy in all languages and from all cultures. Families enjoy an afternoon of music, dancing, and free books under the sun!

With great excitement, Friends is launching the Marie Ciepiela Fund for Youth to benefit the community programs for children and youth at the San Francisco Public Library. As the former Executive Director of Friends for almost eight years, Marie propelled the organization forward on key fronts. During her tenure, she expanded both membership engagement and financial support to SFPL. In partnership with authors Daniel Handler and Lisa Brown, she launched the Brown Handler Residency at Friends and orchestrated four successful Library Laureates galas.  Her legacy also includes helping ensure the third renewal of the Library Preservation Fund, passed overwhelmingly by San Francisco voters on the November 2022 ballot. The LPF guarantees our world-class library's future growth and development by earmarking funds within the city budget for 25 years. 
 
The Marie Ciepiela Fund for Youth will honor Marie’s legacy by increasing the impact of our Children and Youth Fund by enhancing the development of t(w)een, teen, and transitional-age youth programming.  Please consider making a gift today to launch the fund and enhance youth programming at the SFPL. ​

Marie Ciepiela Fund for Youth

​FOR T(W)EENS, TEENS, AND TRANSITIONAL-AGE YOUTH 

The Mix at the Main is the Library’s premier media learning center for teens aged 13-18. The Mix houses video and sound production studios, a maker’s space, extensive computer resources, access to online learning applications, live homework support, leadership opportunities, and supportive adult relationships provided by six full-time Youth Librarians. Regular and drop-in programs draw more than 80,000 visits annually. Friends’ funds equipment, supplies, and subject matter expertise from contractors who work alongside the Youth Librarians in several areas:

• Music and sound recording
• Video production and digital media
• Coding and game design
• Tinkering and fabrication

• ​College and career preparation

College and Career Preparation is provided live at The Mix, select branches, and online throughout the year. Students can engage one-on-one assistance from Youth Librarians and enroll in workshops, including:

• Writing Your College Essay
  
• SAT/ACT Preparation
  
• Paying for College
  
• Introduction to Resume Building
  
• Professional Etiquette and Effective Interview Skills
  
• Summer jobs through Opportunities for All, the Mayor’s Employment Program

Leadership Opportunities abound for high school students in programs coordinated with the Mayor’s Youth Employment Program.

• Youth Engaging in Library Leadership (YELL). As part of Summer Stride, 50 young people complete stipended internships, carrying out STEM programming for younger children at the branches, and participating in career development/life skills workshops.

• The Board of Advising Youth (BAY) empowers a committee of young people to advise and consult with Librarians at The Mix about program offerings and use of space. 

Tech Volunteers program places teen volunteers at branches who are available for “check-out” by patrons who provide hands-on instruction to patrons who are new to using laptops and iPads. 

T(w)een Book Clubs, organized at each branch, engage youth to read and discuss books together with their friends.