Hello friends and Park Branch Library neighbors! This is Mary Abler of the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library! I am guest-blogging today to let you know a little about the Park Branch Library Campaign and our efforts to furnish and equip the branch. As you know, the Park Branch Library is undergoing a much-needed renovation funded by bond money. Unfortunately, this money does not cover the costs for “impermanent” furniture, fixtures and equipment. (We could get into why, but that’s another story!)

The important thing to know is that Friends of the SFPL stepped up to the plate and agreed to fundraise for the $16M needed to furnish and equip the 24 branches that are being renovated and rebuilt. We do this on a number of levels, including the big foundation grants, etc. etc., but the bulk of our fundraising is done via the Neighborhood Library Campaign. This is essentially a grassroots campaign that has been conducted branch by branch, neighborhood by neighborhood.

I am joined in the Park Branch neighborhood by a group of fabulous, committed neighbors and library users, the Park Library Campaign Committee. We are working feverishly to fundraise a portion of the costs needed to furnish and equip the Park Branch Library and WE NEED YOUR HELP! Here are some ways you can pitch in for your branch…

Join the Committee

Our Committee meets monthly in the neighborhood to strategize and plan ways to get the word out and fundraise. We are out in the neighborhood letting people know about getting involved (catch us at the July 21^st Farmer’s Market at Stanyan and Waller!) and we also plan end execute events. Contact me if you are interested in learning more!

Events

Get on our mailing list to be sure you know about all events benefitting the Park Library Campaign! At this time, we have just one event scheduled, but there will be many more!

Park Library Swim Event (clever name and exact details TBA) – Saturday, October 9, 2010

Join us for a swim event where you can swim laps for the library. Each participant will find sponsors and then see how many laps they can swim in a given amount of time. Fun and entertaining for all! Let me know if you want more information or would like to help with the planning of this event.

Make a Gift

Of course, the easiest way to be involved is to make a donation to the Park Library Campaign.

• Gifts of all sizes are tax-deductible and directly benefit the Park Branch.
• Gifts can be made as pledges and spread out over up to three years!
• For example, a gift of $1000 spread out monthly over three years works out to just $27.78. That’s less than your cell phone bill!
• All gifts will be recognized in a hand-calligraphied book to become part of the Park Branch Library collection. Donors of $1000+ will be recognized on a handsome donor plaque in the lobby of the renovated branch.

I hope that you will consider being involved in this amazing community effort for our library!

“Never trust a library under 100!”

Mary Abler

Neighborhood Library Campaign Organizer

Friends of the SFPL

mary.abler@friendssfpl.org

(415) 626-7512 x107

The work continues!

Things are progressing nicely at the Park Branch. As you can see from the photo on the left, the florescent lighting is now completely gone from the Reading Room! The old Circulation Desk has also been removed, making way for the new teen space in the north east corner of the room.




Downstairs this month's work is even more dramatic. The dust and rubble we saw in the construction photos from May have cleared and walls are being framed.





Plumbing was laid in the trenches that were visible in the May photos of the downstairs. The photo on the left shows the plumbing for the new public restrooms at the north east corner of the building.

Having a great day at the Haight Street Fair!

We're here at the Haight Street Fair having a blast! The Children's Bookmobile is on the Children's Alley at Belvedere Street & Haight. We have a super view of the Children's Stage and have enjoyed all of the performances so far today. First we saw Owen Baker-Flynn the Juggler, then a great Latin band, and then a bluegrass band. Right now we're enjoying some lo-fi music that appears to be emanating from the port-potty! Cathy, Lamar, and Mr Jim will be on the bookmobile all day long, so stop on by! (Well, truthfully,

Cathy and Lamar might be in the bouncy castle during their breaks.)

Darice is over at the Friends and Park Branch booth just around the corner near the Red Vic Hotel. She'll be there until the fair closes with Mary Abler, of the Friends and a host of local volunteers.

Today our cookie dough sales begin - so if you're into cookies this is your chance to support the Park Branch renovation through baking!
The Friends have more info on this fun project innitiated by a local
teen.

The Park Branch Centennial posters are also for sale at the Friends booth, so if you haven't picked one up yet, please do!

The weather's great, the crowds a lot of fun, and we'll be out all day. Stop by and visit!

p.s. The Monkeybutts are about to play - we're psyched!

Join us at the Haight Street Fair!

This coming Sunday, June 13th, the Park Branch will be going to the Haight Ashbury Street Fair! The street fair is a great community event and we're excited to be involved. This is a great chance for us to reconnect with all of our library friends and neighbors!

You can visit with Park Branch staff on the Bookmobile in the Children's Alley or look for us at our shared booth with the Friends of the San Francisco Library. We'll be there all day!

Hope to see you there!

Poetry Open Mic tomorrow!

Park Branch's 2nd Tuesday Poetry Open Mic will meet at Coffee to the People, on the corner of Haight and Masonic, tomorrow, June 8th, at 7:00 pm. The group meets the second Tuesday of each month.

The Library's longest-running Open Mic welcomes all writers, readers, musicians, and listeners. Please join us!