August 2009 Vol. 40 No. 8 By the Numbers Library Usage Continues to Climb Lines wrap around the building waiting for the doors to been renovated and reopened under the Branch Library Im- Library Trends: open. A movie premiere? New batch of concert tickets re- provement Program. After reopening, these new or improved leased? Nope, it’s a typical day at the San Francisco Public libraries see new library card holders increase an average of Library. As a result of both challenging economic times 149 percent, visits increase an average of 100 percent and the and the appeal of our newly opened branches, the library number of books and materials checked out increase an aver- Number of 5,456 system is seeing more people visit its buildings and use its age of 42 percent. library cards issued in April 2009 services than ever before. In its first two weeks of reopening, the Richmond/Sena- Libraries are booming. Since last fall, the SFPL has expe- tor Milton Marks Branch Library saw its circulation double rienced a 30 percent compared to its monthly circulation figures from before the 77.4 Percentage of increase in usage that renovation, and circulation at the new Portola Branch has al- continues to climb ready jumped 11 percent in its first three months. circulation via self checkout today. At the same “The new branches are clean, bright and have more machines at the Main Library in time, there has been materials and easy-to-use self checkout machines. At first I May 2009 a 15 percent increase thought I’d miss the old Glen Park branch, but I love the new in books and ma- one,” said Madeleine Felder. terials checked out Additionally, library programs are seeing record atten- compared to a year dance. With free programs for children, teens, adults and se- 1,136,249 More items have been checked out ago—meaning that niors at every branch library, the library is a community center more than 60,000 new for people of all ages and backgrounds. Storytimes for babies this year than last cards were issued and and toddlers saw a 63 percent increase in attendees last year, over 8.7 million books, and attendance at adult programs increased 37 percent. Peo- CDs and DVDs were ple are using the library from home in far greater numbers; 37 10 Number of branches checked out. percent more teens received homework help from tutor.com completed to date in the Branch The library is last year than the year that preceded it. The grandchildren of Milton Marks were Library Improvement Program also seeing greatly “I order my books and tapes and DVDs online and I get the first patrons to check out books at increased usage of them so quickly. I go in almost every day and everyone is so the newly reopened Richmond/Senator branch libraries, espe- helpful,” said Western Addition Branch patron Betty Platt. Milton Marks Branch Library. Photo: Jason Doiy cially those that have “The Library is a wonderful thing.” SF Reads Coming Soon Once you’ve finished readingAlive in Necropolis, San Fran- cisco’s 2009 One City One Book selection, get prepared for a fall filled with literary events. One City One Book joined forces this year with Litquake and Friends of San Francisco Public Library’s Big Book Sale in collaborating on SF Reads, a citywide celebration of the writ- ten word and the remarkable literary community in our midst. SF Reads offers three diverse ways to be involved: through a citywide book club; the West Coast’s largest lit- erary festival; or the biggest book sale this side of the Mississippi. The One City One Book program runs September through October. Among the key events is an evening with Alive in Necropolis author Doug Dorst in conversation with local writer Adam Johnson on Wednesday, Oct. 13 in the Shoveling the dirt at the Ortega groundbreaking were (from left) Jim Bruschera, Trico Koret Auditorium at the Main Library. Other featured events Construction; Marian Chatfield-Taylor of Friends of SFPL; Youcef Bouhamama, DPW include guided Colma Cemetery walks, history exhibitions architect; Ed Reiskin, Public Works Director; Library Commissioner Carlotta del Portillo; and programs for teens and adults at branch libraries. Supervisor Carmen Chu; City Librarian Luis Herrera; and Library Commissioner Lonnie Chin. This year marks the 45th Annual Big Book Sale and will be the largest sale to date. It will be held at Fort Mason’s Festival Pavilion Sept. 24–27, 2009, with a member’s preview on Sept. 23. All Ortega Groundbreaking books are $5 or less! All proceeds from the sale benefit the Library. It’s also a big anniversary for Litquake. The literary festival founded by City Librarian Luis Herrera, San Francisco Supervisor Carmen Chu, Department Bay Area writers marks its 10th year in 2009 with a nine-day literary spectacle of Public Works Director Ed Reiskin and other city officials were on hand to mark for book lovers, Oct. 9-17. Litquake will present nearly 500 authors in a variety the ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Ortega Branch Library. of venues, including theaters, bars, bookstores, galleries & museums, alleys “The new Ortega Branch will be twice the size of what was here before with and even a cathedral. Litquake events at San Francisco Public Library include the largest community room of all the branches,” said Herrera. “There will be Kidquake, Teenquake and the Koret Reading Series. more books, more computers and a wonderful place for people to learn.” Musical performances from local talent preceded the ceremony, with many school children and area residents in attendance. The incredibly gifted Grady Lai, 11, a student at Francis Scott Key Elementary School, sang The Star-Spangled Banner and I Left my Heart in San Francisco. A hip hop group from Sunset Youth Services performed their own original music and a steel drum group from Rec Connect/Sunset Neighborhood Beacon Center also performed. The new building will be a certified LEED (Leadership in Energy and (continued on p. 2) Coming Up: SEPTEMBER 2, 9, 16, 23 SEPTEMBER 6 SEPTEMBER 12 SEPTEMBER 26–OCTOBER 2 Architecture in the City Marking Time Punk Passage San Francisco Banned Book Week Wednesday film series National traveling book First Wave Punk Lunchtime event, Oct. 1 Koret Auditorium, Main, 6 p.m. arts exhibition by Guild of Exhibition of photographs, Larkin St. steps, Main Bookworkers original zines and ephemera Skylight Gallery, Main by Ruby Ray Jewett Gallery, Main sfpl.ORG AT THE LIBRARY AUGUST 2009 1 Branch Library Improvement Program (BLIP) Ortega Groundbreaking (continued from p. 1) Environmental Design) building due to its water management, energy efficiency, use of natural light- ing and use of nontoxic materials in construction and furnishings. Among the most exciting green features in the new 9,000-square-foot branch is a living garden roof planted with drought tolerant na- tive plants. The living roof will provide evaporative cooling in the summer and reduce energy consump- Fougeron Architecture/Group 4 tion by serving as enhanced insulation in cooler weather. The library will have improved accessibility Ingleside Getting a Brand New Branch for all patrons and be built to current seismic safety standards. It will feature a large reading area for an The new Ingleside Branch Library is scheduled to reopen Sept. 12 at its new location at 1298 Ocean Ave., the expanded collection of materials and a program site of the former Sunset Auto shop near Plymouth Avenue. room with after hour’s community access. Distinct Designed by Fougeron Architecture/Group 4, the new 6,100-square-foot branch will replace the cur- spaces in the new library will be designated for teens rent leased facility at Ocean and Faxon avenues. The new building will not only be seismically safe and ADA and children, including a custom Play to Learn area accessible, it will have defined children’s and teen areas, a program room that can be used for library and aimed at enhancing literacy skills for young children. community events, and will be able to accommodate a larger collection of books, DVDs and books on tape. Other highlights of the branch include express self The new branch will offer more public computers, wireless access, self-checkout machines and also have a checkout machines, a study room, public art and flexible design to accommodate future technologies. new furniture, shelv- The construction of the Ingleside Branch was funded by the bond measure passed by San Francisco vot- ing and display areas. ers in 2000 with additional funds coming from state Proposition 14 for library construction. The highly com- “This is the only petitive state matching grant from the California Public Library Construction & Renovation Board awarded branch library sur- $3.75 million for Ingleside’s construction, ensuring the new building will serve as the hub in the commercial rounded by a middle corridor along Ocean Avenue. school, an elemen- Artist Eric Powell was selected to create a 30-foot by 4-foot low relief metal structure that will be mount- tary school and a play- ed above book shelves in the reading room of the new branch. The sculpture will be composed of metal tub- ground and in the cen- ing fashioned by hand into an organic, curving design representing a nearby underground creek. ter is the library. You The Ingleside Branch will include new furniture, fixtures and equipment. Friends of the San Francisco are making this library Public Library is raising funds from private donations to pay for these items. To get involved in the Ingleside a fantastic resource,” neighborhood campaign, contact [email protected].