Keeping the San Francisco Public Library on the leading edge of innovation and response
|
Members of the Innovation Circle are the “angel investors” for the Library, empowering our Librarians to pilot and scale new service models that make the San Francisco Public Library one of the most recognized and awarded libraries worldwide. Private support, provided by Friends, jumpstarts research, planning, and testing of creative ideas beyond the limitations of government funding. Donations unleash the potential of the responsive public/private partnership between Friends and the Library.
|
"...the "angel investors" for the Library."
|
Innovation Circle members making donations of $1,000 to $4,999 provide 22% of all support to Friends and the Library. There are many ways to join the Innovation Circle. We welcome a personal discussion to talk about your interests by contacting Barbara Alvarez, Director of Philanthropy, at 415.477.5231 or Barbara.Alvarez@friendssfpl.org.
“Sometimes you want to help but do not know where to begin. The Innovation Circle has allowed me to take a step towards contributing to my community in a meaningful way. Because of The Innovation Circle, The Library can respond to challenges, such as public health crises and wildfires, with lightening-speed reaction times and malleable programming. This adaptability has shown, not only to our local community, but to libraries around the world, that libraries are resilient in even the most challenging times.”
- Gabby Bozmarova
A Legacy of Innovation
|
Summer Stride
Originally a reading-tracker program for children, Summer Stride now welcomes adults, implements STEM programming, and has a groundbreaking partnership with the National Park Service. Friends funded the Beanstack application, allowing Summer Stride to go virtual.
|
The Mix at Main
Designed by youth, the multimedia center at the Main Library boasts sound and film studios, a maker space, and a performance stage set among curated book collections, laptops, and homework.
|
One City One Book
The brainchild of Friends, One City One Book, unifying San Franciscans around a single book
every year, was quickly imitated across the country. |
Bibliobistro
Librarian Lia Hillman’s food education program gives live demonstrations of simple, vegetarian recipes outdoors with a mobile kitchen. Bibliobistro won a Library Innovation Award from the American Library Association in 2016.
|
Members of the Innovation Circle
$1,000 - $4,999
|
Mary Ann Aronson
Laurence J. Bardoff and Lilli I. Alberga Catherine and Frank Bator Katherine Bella and Jay Harris Jack and JoAnn Bertges Michael Bien Phyllis Blair Helen and Roger Bohl Jennifer Braun and Raymond Ryan Steven and Ann Brooks Jennifer Chaiken and Sam Hamilton Ellen Champlin Rebecca Charnas-Grant Karen Chee Eunice Chee Nancy Traub Chirinos Ruth Cowan C. Dory Culver and Walter Nirenberg Jonathan and Sheila Davies Evette and Alexander Davis Carole Deitrich Mr. and Mrs. William H. Draper III Ms. Rebecca S. Draper Kim and Christopher Drew Martha Ehrenfeld and Carla McKay Janice Elvee Elliot and Pascale Evers John Evers William and Britt Evers Zach and Alice Ferguson Leonard Fisher and Risa Teitelbaum John and Laura Fisher Maureen Flaherty Sarah Flanagan Catherine Foo and Aaron Bastian Courtney Weaver and Simon J. Frankel and Courtney Weaver Donald and Janie Friend Anne Fung and Jeffrey Sternberg Louella C. Fung Lynne Gerber Diane Gibson and Lawrence Bazel John and Marcia Goldman Keith Goldstein and Donna Warrington Gene Graham Ellen Heffelfinger Marco W. Hellman Anne Hitz Jerome and Linda Hosken Emily Johnston and Edward Pizzi Campbell Judge and Kimberly Ellis Elizabeth Kantor Cathy Kearns Jaclyn Kimball Rachel E. Kish Laura Kline Paul Korntheuer and Linda Griffith David Kremer and Marla Miller Sharon Landwehr Nancy Leavens Stephanie Lim Frances Lo Dale Low Peter Lungreen Bradley W. Maring, M.D. Barbara Maughan Ann Maxwel |
William McDonagh
Yasmine Mehmet and Paul Scott Andy Montgomery Steven and Nina Moore Eve Niquette and Charles Pohl Lukas Pankau Jenni Parrish and Gerard Clark Tamin and Nikki Pechet Margaret Quattrin Ruth Quigley Cherie Raciti Allan Ridley and Helen McKenna Ridley Christopher and Julie Ridley Chester Roaman Deborah Robbins and Henry Navas Barbara Rosston Kathleen Rydar Christopher Sam Catherine Sanger Marcia and Murray Schneider Rachel Seidman Mikhail Seregine Tina Shih and Edward Haddad Liz Shipman Joe N. Short Leigh Silkunas Mrs. Bickley Simpson Kevin Smokler and Cariwyl Hebert Claire Solot and Sinjin Bain Cortney and Adam Spillane Stephen and Carolyn Spitz Laura and Greg Spivy John Stedman Mr. Larry Stein Karen Strauss and Ruth Borenstein Carol M. Swig Thaddeus Taube Lois Tilles Barry and Marjorie Traub Nikki Tureen Soko Ushijima Gene and Suzanne Valla Mark Vogel and William Denebeim Jeremy Wall Katherine and Homer Wallin Dick & CB Watts Courtney Weaver and Simon Frankel Sonia and Chris Weiss Lisa and Greg Wendt Kathryn Werhane and Debra Resnik Brian and Jean Wheeler Julie Williamson and Michael Whitcomb Diane B. Wilsey Dallas Wisehaupt The Honorable Constance Wolf Park Pictures LLC Cole Hardware FThree Foundation Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund Donohue Family Foundation Gaia Fund Morrison & Foerster Foundation San Francisco Foundation Estate of Barbara Keville Lesbians for Good of Horizons Foundation Long Beach Community Foundation Pacific Library Partnership |
Gifts made between January 2020 to October 2021.