DId you know?

Local libraries are funded almost exclusively by cities and counties? Communities make the difference by advocating and voting for local, earmarked funding. 98% of the San Francisco Public Library’s budget comes from city sources. The strong funding base we enjoy today is the result of decades of community advocacy work through Friends that has secured the Library Preservation Fund as well as city bonds to rebuild the Main Library and renovate 24 branch libraries (the Branch Improvement Program – BLIP)!

What is The Library Preservation Fund?

San Francisco’s successful Library Preservation Fund was developed by Friends and overwhelmingly supported by San Francisco voters (twice)! It has been the key to long-term stable financing and the overall infrastructure health of SFPL. The Library Preservation Fund is a critical foundation that allows for increased programs, events, book collections, latest technology, free Wi-Fi, and dedicated space for all. 

San Francisco is a national leader in mobilizing community support behind strong and reliable city funding for a premier urban library. Through Friends, San Franciscans have demanded and voters have delivered stable, ongoing resources that led the San Francisco Public Library to be an exceptional library. Friends have supported winning campaigns around establishing the Library Preservation Fund, the rebuild of the Main Library, and the development and implementation of the Branch Library Improvement Program (BLIP). Friends’ continues to educate the public about the significance of the San Francisco Library Preservation Fund that is the key to long-term financial and infrastructure health of the Library.

Library Preservation Fund by FriendsSFPL