December 2008
Vol. 39 No. 12
Library by the
Numbers:
Play to Learn Height
Measurer Tower includes:
168
14
198
28
15
60
books
red money
envelopes
(Chinese New Year)
marbles
cable cars
Ghirardelli
Chocolate Bars
All Aboard the Holiday Train!
All Aboard, the Library’s annual model train
display, kicks off the holiday season in front of
the Fisher Children’s Center at the Main Library
on Sunday, Dec. 6.
The interactive electric toy train layout,
which measures 5 feet by 10 feet and consists
of 35 feet of track, features a Lionel O Scale replica
of the Polar Express, which starred in Chris Van Allsburg’s 1985 holiday
classic, and in the subsequent 2004 movie adaptation. Another face familiar
to children and adults who love trains—Thomas the Tank Engine, with his friends the
passenger coaches Annie and Clarabel—will accompany the Polar Express.
Large, easy-to-use push buttons allow children of many ages and abilities to start the trains,
and to operate accessories, including a ski gondola, a toboggan run and lights for the Holiday
Village. A seasonal favorite, All Aboard also will feature many new village buildings, plus a
beautifully lit and operating Ferris wheel.
“The train display reminds me of a line from a Christmas song, ‘…to kids from 1 to 92…’ (from Chestnuts Roasting on an
Open Fire),” noted Loretta Dowell, manager of the Children’s Center. “The train is like a magnet that draws people of all ages.
It is fascinating to watch how children and adults will stop and push the buttons to make the trains move.”
The annual holiday train display is the work of Roberto Lombardi, an avid train collector and the Library’s facilities
director, along with staff from the engineering unit. A display of model trains and publications on model railroading
is on view near the exhibit. And young train engineers can check out the collection of train books available in the
Children’s Center.
Library cards
More Days, More Hours,
Extended Services!
See story on Page 3.
New!
Podcasts
and More
Many Library programs and performances from the Koret Auditorium
can now be viewed and downloaded
on the Library’s Web site, sfpl.org.
Our new Word & Performance
Web page includes streaming media,
podcasts and videocast options. The
pages include a wide variety of material such as author programs, music
performances, lectures, poetry readings and other events presented by
San Francisco Public Library. These
lively and important presentations
also include select performances from
our archives. Please stay tuned for
more performances and material. You
can get an RSS feed to stay current on
select programs.
Available programs include readings by Lalita Tademy, author of 2007’s
One City One Book selection, Cane
River; local authors from the Litquake
series; and videos of grand openings
of branch libraries built or renovated
through the Branch Library Improvement Program.
For more information, please visit
our eMedia: Word and Performance
page at www.sfpl.org/emedia.
Coming Up:
sfpl.org
Special open houses were held at seven branch libraries last month to celebrate new open hours. New Sunday hours of 1–5 p.m. were effective on
Nov. 23 at the Bayview/Anna E. Waden, Merced, Noe Valley/Sally Brunn and
Ortega Branch Libraries. Glen Park and Golden Gate Valley Branches are now
open on Mondays, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., effective Nov. 24.
Celebrations were held at each of the branches on opening day that
included fortune cookies and other light refreshments, “I love Sunday” and
“I Love Monday” buttons, and entertainment by performers such as Owen
Baker-Flynn and Harpist in the Hood.
Nathan, age 12, is excited about the new Sunday hours at Bayview. “I like
to come to the library, use the computers, check out books and meet my friends!” he explained.
With these new hours in effect, 12 libraries now offer seven-day service. A total of 17 libraries are open Sundays
and 19 libraries are open Mondays. To help patrons remember the new hours, bookmarks and magnets are being
distributed at the affected branch libraries.
Another exciting development is the new Bookmobile service to Treasure Island. Every Thursday, 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.,
the Bookmobile can be found at the Treasure Island Community Center, “Ship Shape” building, 497 Ave. I.
January 10
Tribute to Jack Spicer
Main, Koret Auditorium
Inspiration Across
the Nation
A wealth of resources of the Library of Congress, including historical maps of San Francisco, will come alive at the Main Library on
Dec. 11. The program will include a special appearance by Bay Area
treasure, U.S. Poet Laureate Kay Ryan, who will
read from her work; a demonstration of the
new online Library of Congress Experience by
Center for the Book Director John Cole and
other representatives from the Library of Congress; and remarks by California State Librarian
Susan Hildreth and City Librarian Luis Herrera.
This demonstration includes the new www.
myLOC.gov Web site which brings the riches of
the Library of Congress to your fingertips. The
program will be 10 a.m.–noon, in the Latino/
U.S. Poet Laureate
Hispanic Community Meeting Room.
Kay Ryan
January 24
Chinese New Year Celebration and
30th Anniversary of Sino-American
Diplomatic Relations
Main, Koret Auditorium
January 31
Writers Remembered
Main, Koret Auditorium
At the Library DECEMBER 2008 1
Branch Library Improvement Program (BLIP)
Community Room Plaza Looking North West
Exterior Elevation Looking South East
Entry Plaza Looking South West
Community Room Plaza Looking North East
Exterior Elevation Looking North West
Children’s Room Plaza Looking North East
Exterior Elevation Looking North East
Reference/Staff Plaza Looking North West
Courtesy of Bureau of Architecture, Department of Public Works, City and County of San Francisco
New Visitacion Valley Branch Library Moves Forward
Inspired by the Roman Pantheon, La Rotonda, and Low Memorial Library,
and storefront, some with doors.
Andy Maloney with the San Francisco Bureau of Architecture has created a clasWithin the octagon there are the four semicircular arched windows as well
sic design for the new Visitacion Valley Branch Library. The building is cruciform
as the central oculus. Like the Pantheon, the oculus will light the central space
in shape with four wings surrounding a central ocand cast a lit shape that travels around the octagon
It will be energy efficient, contain a
tagon with a dome rising above the pitched roofs of
in a daily, seasonal and yearly pattern.
the wings. Two major wings branch off the east and
At more than 8,500 square feet, the branch will
dramatic central reading area and
west facets of the octagon with minor wings branchhave separate areas for adults, teens and children,
ing off the north and south facets. This design creates
include courtyards for gardens, outdoor over 30 computers, room for an increased book and
interesting views from many vantage points. It’s easy
materials collection, a study room and a new proreading and gathering spaces.
to navigate and provides a logical order of spaces.
gram room with after-hours access for community
There will be ample sources of natural light and
events. It will be energy efficient, contain a dramatic
ventilation throughout the building. Each of the four wings terminates with a
central reading area and include courtyards for gardens, outdoor reading and
Roman arched window about 15 feet wide to match the octagon archways. Each gathering spaces. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2009, with the new
of the minor axes terminates in window walls of rectangular shaped windows
building opening late 2010.
Temporary Services Schedule
BLIP Update
The Library provides the following services during branch renovations.
Branches under construction and
projected opening dates:
Bookmobile Locations:
Bernal Heights
(625 Holly Park Circle, in front of
Junipero Serra Elementary School)
Monday:
2–5 p.m.
Thursday:
2–5 p.m.
Potrero
(1502 Mariposa St., north side, adjacent
to the Jackson Recreation Center building)
Tuesday:
2:30–5 p.m.
Thursday:
10–12:30 p.m.
Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial
(16th St., between Pond & Prosper,
in front of the branch)
Tuesday:
3:30–7 p.m.
Saturday:
1–5 p.m.
Richmond/Sen. Milton Marks
(Sixth Avenue at Geary Boulevard)
Tuesday:
10:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Wednesday: 3–7 p.m.
Saturday:
10:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Additional Services:
International Languages Collection
3150 Sacramento St., (415) 355-2859
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Wednesday: 1–9 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Friday: 1–6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Richmond – spring 2009
Portola – early 2009
Ingleside – summer 2009
Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk
Memorial – fall 2009
Bernal Heights – early 2010
Potrero – 2010
Next branch slated for renovation:
Parkside
Bookmobile hours subject to change; call (415) 557-4343 or visit www.sfpl.org for updated information.
The largest building campaign in San Francisco Public Library history is in full swing. We are now seeing the fruits of the $106 million bond measure
passed in November 2000. The Branch Library Improvement Program (BLIP) calls for the renovation of 16 branch libraries and the construction of eight
new library buildings. The new buildings are: Bayview, Glen Park, Ingleside, Mission Bay, North Beach, Ortega, Portola and Visitacion Valley.
Building
better
2 DECEMBER 2008 At the Library
libraries
for
stronger
communities.
Exhibitions
December 2008
Skylight Gallery
Opening Hours: same as Main
Closing Hours: Mon.-Sat., 6 p.m.; Sun., 5 p.m.
Other Exhibition Areas in the Library
Digging Deep: Underneath San Francisco Public Library
The current Main Library rests on a Gold Rush-era cemetery
and the ruins of the old City Hall destroyed in the 1906
earthquake & fire. The archeological remains pulled from
the site tell the story of the early development of the
Civic Center area. Ongoing. Main, 1st Floor, Grove Street
entrance exhibit cases
Harvey Milk: Private Life/Public Life
Exhibition explores Milk’s life, from childhood to his time
on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Through Jan. 10.
Main, 3rd Floor, James C. Hormel Gay & Lesbian Center, and
6th Floor, San Francisco History Center
On the Yellow Brick Road:
Market Street’s “Sound Money” Parade, 1896
Exhibition features political banners, press reports &
political cartoons published in the months leading up to
the November general election. Through Jan. 31. Main,
6th Floor, San Francisco History Center
San Francisco Public Library Holiday Train
Features a Lionel O Scale replica of the Polar Express,
Thomas the Tank Engine and passenger coaches Annie and
Clarabel. Large, easy-to-use push buttons allow everyone
access to operate the trains & accessories, including a ski
gondola, a toboggan run, Holiday Village lights, new village
buildings and a Ferris wheel. Dec. 7 through Jan 9. Main,
2nd Floor, Fisher Children’s Center
Pla
*Afghanistan 1970-1975: Images from an Era of Peace
Black & white pre-war photographs of Afghanistan
by Joseph Hoyt. Through Jan. 18. Main, 6th Floor,
Skylight Gallery
o
t
y
n at the
r
a
e
L
M
“Sana, sana, colita de rana.
Si no sanas hoy, sanarás mañana.
Sana, sana, colita de rana,
Ten un besito para hoy y mañana.”
City Librarian Luis Herrera smiles warmly as he discovers this familiar rhyme from his childhood featured in
the new interactive learning area in the Fisher Children’s Center. The new Play to Learn area transforms the
traditional library into a play-based learning environment.
Library staff worked closely with Kim van der Veen and the talented design team at the Burgeon Group
to create a special space for families to play, explore and connect anytime the library is open. The custom
installation reflects San Francisco’s unique flavor with an original Lombard Street Rhyme Roll adorned with
local maps, matching nature activity with seeds, berries and fauna from Strybing Arboretum, multilingual
rhymes, Height Measurer Tower with Ghirardelli chocolate bars and cable cars, and oodles of tactile experiences for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and their families.
From the 11-foot-tall ABC whirligig, to the decoupage of the Golden Gate Bridge, every detail invites a
new opportunity for discovery, conversation and
learning. Rain or shine, it’s always a great day to
play at the Main Library!
Additional installations can be found at
the following 11 branches: Excelsior, Glen Park,
Marina, Mission, Mission Bay, Noe Valley, Ocean
View, Sunset, West Portal and Western Addition.
Quick Factoids:
The Height Measurer Tower has
• 168 books
• 14 red money envelopes (Chinese New Year)
• 198 marbles
• 28 cable cars
• 15 Ghirardelli Chocolate Bars
• 60 Library cards
The Colorful World of Nancy Hom
Featuring children’s book illustrations in silkscreen,
gouache & colored pencil. Dec. 2 through Jan. 23.
Main, 2nd Floor, Fisher Children’s Center
FBI Turns 100
Display of documents from the Government Information
Center collection & photos from the San Francisco Historical
Photo Collection that documents the evolution of this
famous government agency. Through Dec. 1. Main, 5th
Floor, Government Information Center
Irreplaceable: Wildlife in a Warming World
Exhibition addresses global warming’s potential threat
of species extinction. Through Dec. 31. Main, 5th Floor,
Wallace Stegner Environmental Center
Dorothy Starr: San Francisco’s First Lady of Sheet Music
Display of sheet music from the Library’s collection.Through
Dec. 6. Main, 4th Floor, Art, Music & Recreation Center
Girl Who “Wed” Another Girl: Pre-1950 Gay, Lesbian
and Transgender Marriages in the United States
Exhibit profiles several anatomically-same sex California
couples who married and lived as husband and wife, in
defiance of legal & social conventions. Through Dec. 18.
Main, 3rd Floor, General Collections & Humanities Center
Amy Beach:
Her Blissful Years in San Francisco (1866-1944)
Exhibition of photographs, scores, sheet music & archival
material. Through Dec. 4. Main, 4th Floor, Steve Silver Beach
Blanket Babylon Music Center
*Transforming Kami: The Art of Origami
Exhibition displays works of current origami pioneers who
transform simple sheets of paper into beautiful origami
sculptures. Through Dec. 21. Main, 3rd Floor, Teen Center
Our Rights as Human Beings: The 60th Anniversary
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
1949 photo exhibition explaining the United Nations
Declaration of Human Rights. Dec. 1 through Feb. 1.
Main, 3rd Floor, International Center
Exhibitions at the Branches
Bayview’s Historical Footprints
Photographic exhibition celebrating the diverse history of
Bayview Hunters Point, featuring multimedia oral histories
from elders in the community. In collaboration with
Bayview Hunters Point Neighborhood History Preservation
Project. Permanent. Bayview
Honoring Susie Taylor
It‘s a pleasure to celebrate an individual’s accomplishments while they’re still
a vital part of an organization. A Sunday this past September was the occasion
of much fanfare as the calligraphy community of friends, colleagues and family
honored the achievements of Susie Taylor, curator of the Harrison Collection of
Calligraphy & Lettering at the San Francisco Public Library.
Susie has worked at the library since 1977, where she has cared for and
almost single-handedly developed one of the most important contemporary
calligraphy collections in the world. A talented calligrapher whose work is defined by grace and delicate beauty, Susie came to the Library where she started
immediately to work in the Special Collections Department (now the Marjorie G.
and Carl W. Stern Book Arts & Special Collections Center), and where she continues today working with students, researchers, designers, lettering artists and interested patrons—guiding and inspiring, and reminding
them that the handwritten letter came before the printed one.
A student of the gifted San Francisco calligrapher Byron McDonald, Susie was later influenced by the
great calligrapher and type designer Hermann Zapf. Her deep understanding of the world of lettering may
be seen throughout the Harrison Collection—the works of more than 100 lettering artists from around the
world, more than 1,000 pieces of original calligraphy and a large non-circulating collection of books and
periodicals supporting the study of calligraphy—much
of this the result of Susie’s diligent pursuit of excellence
in lettering.
Students of the lettering arts will find valuable
information in the development of the book hand,
and artists’ roughs and drafts have been carefully
collected over the years. Several archives of important
calligraphers are held at the San Francisco Public Library
because of Susie’s commitment to the preservation
of calligraphic history. Few institutions can claim such
dedication to the development of a collection such as
the San Francisco Public Library’s Harrison Collection of
Calligraphy & Lettering. Susie Taylor is one of a kind!
Susie Taylor, curator of the Harrison Collection of Calligraphy & Lettering. Photo courtesy of San Francisco History Center
*Funded by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library
ain Lib r a r y
The Harrison Collection is open to the public without appointment: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10–6; Friday:
noon–6; Saturday: 10–6; Sunday: noon–6. Closed Monday.
In the Book Arts & Special Collections Center, Sixth Floor,
Main Library, Civic Center.
At the Library DECEMBER 2008 3
December 2008
Pick for November and December:
The Bonesetter’s Daughter
by Amy Tan
The San Francisco Opera recently premiered The Bonesetter’s Daughter,
an opera by Stewart Wallace based on the Amy Tan novel. There is a long
history of creating operas from existing literary works from all times. Here is a
selection of operas based upon famous literature.
Operas have been adapted from Greek and Roman classics–L’Orfeo by
Claudio Monteverdi is based upon Ovid, and Hector Berlioz’s Les Troyens is
based on Virgil’s Aeneid. Other opera composers have found inspiration in
Shakespeare’s works. Giuseppe Verdi alone wrote operas based upon Othello,
Macbeth and The Merry Wives of Windsor (Falstaff). Charles Gounod composed
Roméo et Juliet, and more recently, Benjamin Britten based an opera on
A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Plays by Pierre Beaumarchais have provided the basis for two operatic
masterworks—Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro (based upon
La Folle Journée) and Gioacchino Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia. Victor Hugo has
also been the source for great operas—both Verdi’s Rigoletto (based upon
Le roi s’amuse) and Gaetano Donizetti’s Lucrezia Borgia.
Abbé Prevost’s novel Manon Lescaut has been adapted
to the operatic stage by both Jules Massenet and Giacomo
Puccini. Walter Scott’s Bride of Lammermoor became Lucia di
Lammermoor by Donizetti. Modest Mussorgsky employed
an Aleksandr Pushkin short story as the basis for his opera
Boris Godunov. Dubose Heyward’s novel Porgy became the
basis for George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess.
During the past few decades the San Francisco Opera
has commissioned several operas based upon great
literature. Wallace Stegner’s novel Angle of Repose
was the basis for an opera by Bay Area composer
Andrew Imbrie in 1976. Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’
Les Liaisons dangereuses became San Francisco
Conservatory faculty member Conrad Susa’s 1994
opera The Dangerous Liaisons. Tennessee William’s play
A Streetcar Named Desire was composed for the San
Francisco Opera in 1998 by André Previn.
To learn more about opera, visit the Oxford Music
Online database, which includes the full content of the
New Grove Dictionary of Opera, through the Library’s
Articles and Databases.
Adults
Adult Winter Reading
Program Dec. 13 through Jan.
17. Earn small prize just for
reading! All who complete program will be eligible for grand
prize raffle drawing! Info: (415)
355-2858. Glen Park
1 Monday
World Aids Day Event
Discussions on health-promoting medical treatments;
screenings; speakers; info
tables; entertainment. Main,
Latino/Hispanic Community
Meeting Room, 1–4 p.m.
*First Monday Movies at
Excelsior: Salaam Bombay
(1988, 114 min.) In Hindi with
English subtitles. Excelsior,
6:30 p.m.
2 Tuesday
*At the Gates Poetry by Jeffrey
Grossman & Rosemary Manno.
North Beach, 7 p.m.
3 Wednesday
Special Collections Holiday
Lecture Talk & slideshow by
Patricia Wakida. Main, Latino/
Hispanic Community Meeting
Room, 6:30–7:45 p.m.
6 Saturday
Stock to Study Group
Better Investing hosts session
for intermediate investors.
Main, Latino/Hispanic
Community Meeting Room,
10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Towers of Gold: How One
Jewish Immigrant Named
Isaias Hellman Created
California Author talk: Frances
Dinkelspiel. Main, Latino/Hispanic Community Meeting
Room, 2 p.m.
*Images of Nature: A Celebration of Nature from Impressionism to Modern Art
Slide show by Marlene Aron.
Golden Gate Valley, 2–3:30 p.m.
*Holiday Wreath Making
10-person limit. Sign up at
(415) 355-2898. Ingleside,
2:30–3:30 p.m.
Get a Multiple-Subject
Teaching Credential Lecture
by Sheila Hansen. Mission Bay,
6:45–7:40 p.m.
*The Sit-Down Readers’ Theatre Presents Shakespeare’s
Henry IV, Part II Read a part, if
you like. North Beach, 2 p.m.
4 Thursday
*Ring in the Green: EcoFriendly Projects for the
Holidays: Printed Cards &
Wrapping Paper For adults &
teens. Ortega, 2–4 p.m.
*Shig! The Life & Times of
Shigeyoshi Murao, the
Quintessential Bookman:
The Annual Book Arts &
7 Sunday
*Christmastime Negro Spirituals: Songs of Promise &
Hope Led by Laroilyn H. Davis;
audience participation. Main,
Koret Auditorium, 2–4 p.m.
9 Tuesday
ITVS: Helvetica Panel discussion follows film. Main, Koret
Auditorium, 6–7:30 p.m.
*Radar Reading Features
Antonia Crane, Jillian Lauren,
Kriss de Jong & Ace Morgan.
Main, Latino/Hispanic Community Meeting Room, 6–7:30 p.m.
10 Wednesday
*Developing Minds:
Understanding Ideas Video
exploring practical strategies
for parents & teachers to help
children understand more efficiently. Main, Latino/Hispanic
Community Meeting Room,
4:30–6:30 p.m.
Dan White Reads from The
Cactus Eaters: How I Lost My
Mind and Almost Found Myself on the Pacific Crest Trail
Author reading & book signing.
Book sales by Book Bay. Mission Bay, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
11 Thursday
4 DECEMBER 2008 At the Library
The Library of Congress
Experience U.S. poet laureate
Kay Ryan reads from her work;
John Cole demonstrates the
new online “The Library of
Who are the Cactus Eaters?
How do two people who’ve never shared an apartment
intend to survive six months in the wilds with hardly more
than a two-man pup tent and some trail mix? The answer is
“barely.” Despite warnings from their loved ones, and even
Dan White
some nay-saying strangers, Dan White and his girlfriend
set out into the wilderness. When these addled adventurers find themselves
deep in the American wilderness, the hardships of the trail—and one delicious-looking cactus—test the limits of love and sanity.
As he charts their moments of bravery, stupidity, and luck, White shares
their encounters with a veritable parade of backwoods characters—each
one an unforgettable wonder of humanity and a testament to the transformative powers of nature.
Dan White will read from and sign copies of his humorous memoir, The
Cactus Eaters: How I Lost My Mind and Almost Found Myself on the Pacific Crest
Trail, at the Mission Bay Branch on Dec. 10 at 6:30 p.m.
More Crafts for Teens
Teens! The winter holidays are here again. For many of
you, it’s time to shop. Do you wonder where you can find
an inexpensive gift that stands out from the others? Leave
the department store options behind and make your own.
This month at the Library, there are six free craft
workshops for teens. Leave each session with handmade gifts or a new skill for creating more. Make custom
collage wallets at Glen Park Branch, turn tools into jewels at Visitacion Valley
Branch, knit a scarf at the Main Library, design a t-shirt at Parkside Branch or
construct colorful cards and wrapping paper at Ortega Branch.
For holiday decorations, don’t miss the 3-D origami workshop at Chinatown. Once you’ve attended a workshop and need more Make-Your-Own
ideas, have a look at the teen books listed below, and save your shopping
dollars for the new year! Get creative!
The following books can be found in the teen collection. Use the library
catalog to locate them, or ask a librarian for help.
Jeanology: Crafty Ways to Reinvent Your Old Blues, by Nancy Flynn
Get Your Crochet On! Fly Tops & Funky Flavas, by Afya Ibomu
Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-shirt, by Megan Nicolay
How to Make Great Stuff for Your Room, by Mary Wallace
Teen Knitting Club: Chill Out and Knit, by Jennifer Wenger, Carol Abrams
and Maureen Lasher
Congress Experience.” Audience discussion. Main, Latino/
Hispanic Community Meeting
Room, 10 a.m.–noon
*Nobel Prize in Literature:
A Talk in Mandarin, by
Professor Frederick Hsia
Main, Latino/Hispanic Community Meeting Room, 2–4 p.m.
Book Groups
Computer
Classes
3 Wednesday
Classes Held at the Main:
13 Saturday
*Does the Secret Mind Whisper? Celebration of the life of
beat poet Bob Kaufman. Main,
Koret Auditorium, 2–4 p.m.
United States-Russian
Relations After the 2008
Presidential Election
With Andrei Tsygankov, PhD.
Main, Latino/Hispanic Community Meeting Room, 2–4 p.m.
*Ring in the Green: EcoFriendly Projects for the
Holidays: Gift Boxes Made
by Decorating Tins with
Recycled Materials For adults
& teens. Glen Park, 2–4 p.m.
16 Tuesday
*Poetry Open Mic Hosted by
Diamond Dave Whitaker. Park,
7–9 p.m.
18 Thursday
*Kwanzaa Family Night Music,
dance & poetry. Bayview, 6–8 p.m.
20 Saturday
*Get Your Knit Together
Practice supplies provided;
bring knitting needles. Space
limited; reserve at (415) 5574525 or [email protected]. Main,
Latino/Hispanic Community
Meeting Room, 10 a.m.–noon
(415) 744-6827. Main, 4th Floor,
Business, Science & Technology
Department, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Selection: A Thousand Splendid
Suns by Khaled Hosseini.
Sunset, 7 p.m.
18 Thursday
West Portal, 2:30 p.m.
Selection: The Horse’s Mouth
by Joyce Carey. (Bernal
Heights group.) Home of the
Art Fools, 80 Bronte St., 4 p.m.
27 Saturday
In Russian. Main, Latino/Hispanic Community Meeting
Room, 2–4 p.m.
31 Wednesday
In Spanish. Info: http://sfpl.
org/spanish/news/rinconlit.
htm. Main, 3rd Floor Conference Room, 6–7:30 p.m.
Business
Counseling
5th Floor Training Center.
Most classes at the Main require
proficiency in basic keyboard
skills. All classes are first come,
first served.
Tuesdays 2 & 9
Internet 101
2–4 p.m.
Tuesdays 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30
Basic Mouse & Typing Skills
Volunteers available to introduce basic skills. 1:15–2 p.m.
5 Friday
Training for the Internet &
Library Catalog (In Spanish)
Meet at 3rd Floor International
Center. Info: (415) 557-4430.
2–4 p.m.
6 Saturday
Word Processing Fundamentals Mouse & keyboard skills
required. Info: (415) 557-4430.
11a.m.–1 p.m.
Wednesdays 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31
Saturdays 6, 13 & 20
Service Corps of Retired
Executives Free Business
Counseling Appointments:
Basic Mouse & Typing Skills
Volunteers available to introduce basic skills. 10:15–11 a.m.
*Funded by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library
Events and Happenings
NextReads
Introducing Pearl’s Picks
If you haven’t checked out NextReads yet, wait no
longer. You can receive e-newsletter book recommendations in subjects including Armchair Travel,
Nature and Science, Mind and Body Fitness, Fiction A to Z and more.
Each book suggestion links directly to our
catalog so you can reserve the title; many suggestions also include table of contents and first chapter links, so you can get a taste of the book before
you commit.
In our bi-monthly San Francisco Interest
newsletter you’ll find a variety of recently released
novels, memoirs and nonfiction set in the Bay
Area, along with special sections highlighting topics like new cookbooks from local chefs, classic
San Francisco mysteries and librarian recommendations for the best local travel guides.
Here are a few of the books featured in the
November/December 2008 San Francisco Interest
newsletter:
Local Girl Makes History: Exploring Northern
California’s Kitsch Monuments by Dana Frank
An historian’s nostalgic trip to a series of local
day trip sites takes an unexpected turn as Dana
Frank explores the mysterious draw of these places.
The Dirty Secrets Club by Meg Gardiner
In the wake of an ongoing string of high-profile murder-suicides in San Francisco, forensic psychiatrist Jo Beckett is hired by the SFPD to perform
investigative autopsies and discovers a harrowing
commonality among the suicide victims.
The Heartbreak Diet: A Story of Family, Fidelity,
and Starting Over by Thorina Rose
After marrying young, living in New York, and
settling in San Francisco, Rose and her husband
Computer Classes, cont.
10 Wednesday
Center. Info: (415) 557-4430.
2–4 p.m.
Jobs & Career Resources
on the Internet Ability to
navigate the Web required.
2–4 p.m.
20 Saturday
12 Friday
The San Francisco Commum
nity Services Directory:
ra led
A Guide to
City Government
g
l
r o Organizations
and
Local
ce
P
n
Mouse a
& keyboard skills
C 3:30–4:30 p.m.
required.
Training for the Internet & Library Catalog (In Cantonese)
Meet at 3rd Floor International
Center. Info: (415) 557-4430.
2–4 p.m.
13 Saturday
E-mail Fundamentals Mouse
& keyboard skills required (or
observe). 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
16 Tuesday
Library Catalog Mouse &
keyboard skills required (or
observe). 2–4 p.m.
17 Wednesday
Magazine, Newspaper and
Information Databases
Basic search skills required (or
observe). 2–4 p.m.
18 Thursday
Training for the Internet &
Library Catalog (In Russian)
Meet at 3rd Floor International
Center. Info: (415) 557-4430.
9:15–11:15 a.m.
19 Friday
Training for the Internet &
Library Catalog (In Mandarin)
Meet at 3rd Floor International
Internet 101: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
22 Monday
m
ra led
Internet 102
g
o e lof Internet
Basicr
proficiency
P
nc
required
(or
observe). 2–4 p.m.
a
C
start a family. When he begins an affair with his “running partner,” Rose must find
a way to rebuild her life with
her two young sons, navigating her own inner doubts
and the chorus of advice
from well-meaning friends.
The San Francisco Tape Music Center: 1960s
Counterculture and the Avant-Garde. Edited by
David W. Bernstein
Told through vivid personal accounts, interviews and retrospective essays by leading scholars
and artists, this work, capturing the rich, heady
artistic milieu of the ‘60s, is the first comprehensive
history of the San Francisco Tape Music Center.
Accidentally on Purpose: A One-Night Stand, My
Unplanned Parenthood, and Loving the Best Mistake I Ever Made by Mary F. Pols
Set in the Bay Area, this memoir describes
how the author, the daughter of a conservative
Irish Catholic family, became unexpectedly pregnant after a one-night stand with a man ten years
younger than herself and how she developed a
lasting friendship with her baby’s father.
Roux Morgue by Claire Johnson
San Francisco pastry chef Mary Ryan finds her
new teaching job complicated by the presence of
homicide detective O’Connor, hostile dean Robert
Benson, student Coolie Martin, and the strange
deaths of a number of faculty and staff.
To learn more about NextReads, visit the Reader’s
Corner section of our Web site at sfpl.org/news/
sanfranciscoreads.htm
15 Monday
*E-mail Fundamentals (In
Spanish) Mission, 6:30–8 p.m.
16 Tuesday
Internet Basics Basic mouse &
keyboard skills required; sign
up at information desk. Glen
Park, 2–3 p.m.
19 Friday
How To Create A Blog Space
limited: reserve at (415) 3552898. Ingleside, 3:30–5:30 p.m.
23 Tuesday
29 Monday
The San Francisco Community Services Directory:
am ed
r
gCity Government
l
A Guide to
el
r o Organizations
and
c
PLocal
n
Mouse a
& keyboard
skills
C 3–4 p.m.
required.
30 Tuesday a m
d
gr lle
E-mail o
Fundamentals
Mouse
c e skills reP r & keyboard
nobserve).
quired (or
2–4 p.m.
a
C
Classes Held at the Branches:
8 Monday
*Basic Computer and Internet
Skills (In Spanish) Mission,
6:30–8 p.m.
10 Wednesday
Library Catalog Databases
Ocean View, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
All programs and events are free and open to the public.
Teens
Tuesdays 2 & 9
*DIY 3D Origami Club: Design
Holiday Tree Ages 12-18.
Paper supplies provided; attendees may bring recycled paper.
In Mandarin & English. Space
limited; info or registration: (415)
355-5626 or [email protected].
North Beach, 3:30–5 p.m.
3 Wednesday
*Speak Up! Monthly Activities Planning Meeting
Ages 12-18. Registration:
(415) 355-5757 or aluini@sfpl.
org. Bayview, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
*Teens Choice! Vote for
a Movie Ages 12-18. Info:
(415) 355-2868 or mbergman@
sfpl.org. Excelsior, 4–6 p.m.
*From Tools to Jewels
Ages 12-18. Info or registration: [email protected]. Visitacion Valley, 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Fridays 5 & 12
“(Nancy Pearl) has become…the
librarian version of a rock star.”
Bust Magazine
Pearl’s Picks, an online list of reading suggestions
from Nancy Pearl, is now available monthly on
the Library’s Web site.
As a librarian and bookseller in Detroit, Tulsa
and Seattle, Nancy Pearl gained national renown
when the first of her best-selling reader’s advisory
books, Book Lust, was published in 2003, followed
by the surprise popularity of a librarian action
figure modeled in her likeness. Pearl now appears
regularly on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition and draws large crowds at her personal appearances in bookstores and libraries.
In 2004, Pearl became the
50th winner of the Women’s National Book Association Award for
her extraordinary contribution
to the world of books. Her most
recently published title is Book
Crush: For Kids and Teens—Recommended Reading for Every Mood,
Moment and Reason.
In addition to maintaining
her heavy reading and writing schedule, Pearl is
an avid bicyclist and happy grandmother of two.
She lives in Seattle with her husband Joe.
Pearl’s Picks now can be found every month
on the San Francisco Reader’s Corner page of the
Library’s Web site, sfpl.org. Click on NextReads.
Her suggestions for good reading will have you
coming back each month for more!
11 Thursday
19 Friday
*Beyond Journal Writing
Ages 12-19. Info or registration: (415) 557-4497 or
[email protected]. Main, 3rd
Floor, Paley Conference Room,
4–5:30 p.m.
*Make-up & Hair Styling
for the Holidays
Ages 12-19. With Xiao Hua
(Amy) Chen. Info: (415) 3555626 or [email protected].
North Beach, 3:30–5:30 p.m.
*Teen Manga & Anime Club
Info: (415) 557-4426 or
[email protected]. Main,
2nd Floor, Children’s Creative
Center, 4–5:30 p.m.
Fridays 5 & 12
*Teen Tie-Dye: Make T-shirt
Ages 11-18. Space limited to
20; reserve at (415) 355-5770
or [email protected]. Parkside,
4–5:30 p.m.
*Knit Happens! Teen Knitting &
Crochet Club Ages 12-18. Practice supplies provided; bring yarn
& needles for project. Registration:
(415) 557-4497 or blevine@sfpl.
org. Main, 2nd Floor, Children’s
Creative Center, 2–4 p.m.
*Chinatown Teen ’Zine
Ages 13–18. Bilingual online
teen magazine workshop.
Registration: (415) 355-2888 or
[email protected]. Chinatown, 3:30–5:30 p.m.
6 Saturday
*Great Teen Book Swap
Info or registration: dwong@
sfpl.org. Ortega, 1 p.m.
12 Friday
*”Make a Wallet” for Teens
Ages 12-18. Info: (415) 3552832 or [email protected].
Glen Park, 4–5:30 p.m.
13 Saturday
*Teen ‘Zine Gaming Day
Ages 12-18. Info: (415) 3552888 or [email protected].
Chinatown. 1:30–3:30 p.m.
*Ring in the Green: EcoFriendly Projects for the
Holidays: Printed Cards &
Wrapping Paper For adults &
teens. Ortega, 2–4 p.m.
Saturdays 6, 13, 20 & 27
*Comics Club Ages 12-18.
Registration: (415) 355-5757
or [email protected]. Bayview,
2–3 p.m.
8 Monday
*Teen Movie Night: This
Christmas (2007, 117 min.)
Sunset, 6:30–8 p.m.
*Teen ’Zine Ages 13–18.
Bilingual online teen magazine
workshop. Registration: (415)
355-2888 or jewelchen@sfpl.
org. Chinatown, 1–3 p.m.
*Ring in the Green: EcoFriendly Projects for the
Holidays: Gift Boxes Made
by Decorating Tins with
Recycled Materials
For adults & teens. Glen Park,
2–4 p.m.
20 Saturday
*Crafty Teen: Holiday Stuff
Info & registration: dwong@
sfpl.org. Ortega, 2–3:30 p.m.
Videos on the
Large Screen
(When possible, films are shown
with captions to assist our deaf and
hard of hearing patrons.)
In the Koret Auditorium at
the Main, Thursdays at Noon
Heavenly Creatures
4 Thursday
*City of Angels
(1998, 115 min.)
11 Thursday
17 Wednesday
*Teen Jewelry Workshop:
Wire-wrapped Bracelet
With Steven James; materials
provided. Registration:, (415)
355-2832 or mbergman@sfpl.
org. Excelsior, 4–6 p.m.
*Defending Your Life
(1991, 112 min.)
18 Thursday
*Stairway to Heaven
(aka A Matter of Life and
Death) (1946, 104 min.)
At the Library DECEMBER 2008 5
Lapsits
Children’s Calendar
Stories, songs & rhymes for
infants, toddlers and accompanying adults; for ages birth
to 3, unless noted otherwise.
Please call ahead to confirm
dates and times.
Anza
Thur, 4, 11, 18 at 10:30 a.m.
December 2008
All programs and events are free and open to the public.
Programs are for children of all ages, except where noted.
Please call ahead to confirm dates and times. Groups need to
reserve space.
Where branch is closed for renovation, alternate location is listed.
Golden Gate Valley Branch programming room is not accessible
by elevator.
For film titles, call branch library or go to www.sfpl.org/news/
events.htm and click on Children’s Films & Videos.
Visit missionkidsread.org
for info on children’s programs,
parental resources & more.
Dec. 2 through Jan. 23
The Colorful World of Nancy
Hom Featuring children’s
book illustrations in silkscreen,
gouache & colored pencil. Dec.
2 through Jan. 23. Main, 2nd
Floor, Fisher Children’s Center
Dec. 13 through Jan. 17
Kids’ Winter Reading Club
Read to earn small prize; one
lucky reader will win a penguin
puppet! Glen Park
1 Monday
*San Francisco Shakespeare
Company Presents Romeo
and Juliet Ages 5 & older. Q
& A after program. Info: (415)
355-2823 or [email protected].
(Marina program.) Moscone
Recreation Center, 1800
Chestnut St. (near Buchanan),
3:30 p.m.
Wednesdays 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31
Homework Help
Ages 5 & older. Grades K-7.
Mission, 4–6 p.m.
4 Thursday
*A Christmas Carol
English actor Marti Harris plays
Charles Dickens in a dramatic
reading of an abridged version
of the beloved story. Class
reservations: Tim Troy at (415)
557-4554. Main, 2nd Floor,
Fisher Children’s Center, 10:30–
11:30 a.m. Ages 8 & older.
*Nick Barone Puppets Present
The Enchanted Forest
(Bernal Heights program.) Info:
(415) 641-5380. Star Video, 402
Cortland Ave., 4:30 p.m.
*Crafts with Sophie
All ages; parents/caregivers
should attend to help children
under eight. Anza, 3:30 p.m.
Excelsior
Tue, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 at 11 a.m.
*The Magic Makers Presents
Winter Tales and Tails
Ages 5 & older. Space limited:
reserve at (415) 355-2848.
Visitacion Valley, 1 p.m.
Films
Ages 7-12. Chinatown, 4 p.m.
Videos Ages 3-5. Visitacion
Valley, 10:30 a.m.
11 Thursday
Toddler Tea
Ages 3 & younger with parent/
caregiver. Early literacy activities & reading. Snacks & beverages; bring bottle or sippy cup.
Bayview, 6–7:30 p.m.
*Jim Stevens
Singer, songwriter & storyteller.
Presidio, 4 p.m.
12 Friday
Mondays 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29
Films
Ages 3-5. Parkside, 10 & 11 a.m.
Family Night! Folk songs with
Jim Stevens. Parkside, 7 p.m.
Films
Ages 3-5. Chinatown, 10 a.m.
Ages 3-6. Golden Gate Valley,
10:15 a.m.
Ages 7-12. Chinatown, 4 p.m.
Homework Help
Ages 5 & older. Grades K-7.
Excelsior, 4–6 p.m.
2 Tuesday
Bernal Heights
Thur, 4, 11, 18 at 10 a.m.
Ages 18 months-3 years
(Lapsits held at Red Hill
Books, 401 Cortland Ave.)
*Magician Al Fodor
Ages 3-5. Sunset, 10:30 a.m.
Mondays 1, 8 & 15
Homework Help
Ages 5 & older. Grades K-7.
Mission, 4–6 p.m.
Jumpstart Presents Family
Literacy Workshops
For parents & caregivers of
children 6 & younger (children
welcome). Includes dinner for
family, plus one book & home
activities. Large groups reserve
with Liz Wilkinson at (415) 5365867. Bayview, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
*Crafts Ages 5 & older. Space
limited; reserve at (415) 3555660. Portola, 4:30 p.m.
Thursdays 4, 11 & 18
Homework Help
Ages 5 & older. Grades K-7.
Mission, 4–6 p.m.
Saturdays 5, 12, 19 & 26
Chess Club Ages 6 & older. All
levels. Excelsior, 3:30–5:30 p.m.
*San Francisco Center for
the Book Workshop
Grades 2-7. Improvisational
book making with Cathy
Miranker. Mission, 3–5 p.m.
Tuesdays 2, 9 & 16
Mondays 8 & 22
Films
Ages 3-5. Groups must confirm
space at (415) 355-5727. Western Addition, 10 & 10:45 a.m.
Homework Help
Ages 5 & older. Grades K-7.
Excelsior, 4–6 p.m.
Videos Ages 3 & older. Bayview, 10:30 a.m.
17 Wednesday
*Puppet Art Theater Presents
The Boy Who Cried Wolf
Ages 5 & younger. Space limited; reserve at (415) 355-2868.
Excelsior, 11 a.m.
Wednesdays 3, 10 & 17
Homework Help
High school volunteers assist
children with their homework.
For kids in grades K-7.
Excelsior, 4–6 p.m.
10 Wednesday
*Dave Rodrigues, the Astro
Wizard Ages 8 & older. Space
limited; reserve with Tim Troy
at (415) 557-4554. Main, 2nd
Floor, Fisher Children’s Center,
10:30–11:30 a.m.
6 DECEMBER 2008 At the Library
Storytimes
n Please call ahead to confirm
dates and times. Groups need
to reserve space.
n Family Storytimes are for
children of all ages unless noted.
Anza
Tue, 2, 9, 16, 23 at 10:30 a.m.
Bayview
Tue, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
at 10:30 a.m. Ages 5 & younger
Eureka Valley
Wed, 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
at 3:30 p.m. Ages 3-5
(Storytimes held at Eureka
Valley Recreation Center, 100
Collingwood St., between 18th
& 19th Sts. If Center is closed
on 12/24, program is cancelled.
Info: (415) 557-4353.)
*The San Francisco Conservatory of Music Presents a
Holiday Concert
Mission Bay, 2 p.m.
Films
Ages 3-5. Chinatown, 10,
10:30 & 11:05 a.m.; 2 p.m.
Ages 3-5. Noe Valley, 10:15 &
11 a.m.
Ages 5-7. Chinatown, 4 p.m.
Main
Mon, 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 at 10:30 a.m.
14 Sunday
*Chung Ngai Dance Troupe
Traditional folk dances, lion
dance, drumming & martial
arts. Ingleside, 2:30 p.m.
*Crafts
Ages 3-5. Space limited;
reserve at (415) 355- 5660.
Portola, 11 a.m.
3 Wednesday
Ingleside Tue, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 at 10:30 a.m.
Chinatown
Sat, 6, 13, 20, 27 at 10:30 a.m.
Family
*Holiday Crafts: Handmade
Cards & Decorations Ocean
View, 4:30 p.m.
*Diana Shmiana’s Winter
Wonderama Ages 3-7. Stories,
puppets, magic, singing &
clowning. North Beach, 11 a.m.
Golden Gate Valley
Tue, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 at 10:15 a.m.
*The Puppet Company
Presents The Nutcracker
Ortega, 3 p.m.
*The Lizard Lady
am
Ages 5P
&r
older.
Space limited;
ogr
elled
reserve ata
n c355-5652.
C (415)
Merced, 4 p.m.
Homework Help
Ages 5 & older. Grades K-7.
Mission, 4–6 p.m.
Glen Park
Tue, 9, 16, 23, 30 at 10:30 a.m.
13 Saturday
6 Saturday
9 Tuesday
Eureka Valley
Wed, 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 at 3 p.m.
(Lapsits held at Eureka Valley
Recreation Center, 100 Collingwood St., between 18th &
19th Sts. If Center is closed on
12/24, program is cancelled.
Info: (415) 557-4353.)
Bernal Heights
Tue, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 at 10 a.m.
Ages 5 & younger. (Storytimes held at Red Hill Books,
401 Cortland Ave.) Family
*Dana Smith & His Performing Dog, Lacey
Glen Park, 10:30 a.m.
Tuesdays 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30
Chinatown
Thur, 4, 11, 18 at 11 a.m.
Birth-2
15 Monday
*Fantastic Trash: Recycle,
Reuse, Recreate
Ages 8 & older. Construct artistic masterpieces from recycled
trash. Ocean View, 4:30 p.m.
Excelsior Wed, 10, 17 at 11 am.
Ages 3-5 (In Chinese/English)
16 Tuesday
Thur, 4, 11, 18 at 11 a.m.
Ages 3-5
Films/Videos Ages 3-5. Main,
2nd Floor, Fisher Children’s
Center, 10 & 10:45 a.m.
18 Thursday
Films/Videos Ages 3-5. Main,
2nd Floor, Fisher Children’s
Center, 10 & 10:45 a.m.
Videos
Ages 3-5. North Beach, 10,
10:30 & 11 a.m.; 3 p.m.
Ages 3-5. Sunset, 10:30 a.m.
Ages 5-7. North Beach, 4 p.m.
Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
Family. Poems, music, stories,
crafts, food, & performance by
the Never Stop Learning Crew
(local hip hop group). Bayview,
6–8 p.m.
Sat, 6, 13, 20 at 11:30 a.m.
Family
Glen Park
Tue, 9, 23, 30 at 11:15 a.m.
Ages 3-5
Wed, 17 at 7 p.m. Family
*The Fratello Marionettes
Presents The North Pole
Review Ages 3 & older. Space
limited; reserve at (415) 3552889. Chinatown, 10 a.m.
*Cascada de Flores
Ages birth-5. Traditional songs
& dances of Mexico and Cuba.
(Potrero program.) St. Teresa’s
Church, 390 Missouri St.
(at Connecticut), 10:30 a.m.
Marina
Mon, 1, 8, 15, 22 at 10:15 a.m.
Ages 18 months-3
Mon, 1, 8, 15, 22 at 11 a.m.
Birth-18 months
Merced
Thur, 4, 11, 18 at 10:30 a.m.
Mission
Mon, 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
at 1–1:30 p.m. Ages birth-1
(Spanish/English)
Thur, 4, 11, 18
at 10:10 & 11 a.m. Ages 18
months-3 (Spanish/English)
Potrero
Thur, 4, 11at 10:30 a.m.
Birth-5
(Lapsits held at St. Teresa’s
Church, 390 Missouri St.,
at Connecticut.)
Presidio
Tue, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
at 10:15 a.m. Ages 1-3
Thur, 4, 11, 18 at 10:15 a.m.
Ages 1-3
Sat, 6, 13, 20 at 10:15 a.m.
Ages Birth-1
Mission Bay
Thur, 4, 11, 18 at 10:15 a.m.
(musical)
Fri, 5, 12, 19 at 4 p.m. (musical)
Richmond
Sat, 6, 13, 20, 27 at 11 a.m.
Birth-3
(Lapsits held at Richmond
Police Station Community
Room, 461-6th Ave.)
Noe Valley
Tue, 2, 16, 23, 30 at 10:15 a.m.
Sunset
Sat, 6, 13, 20, 27 at 11 a.m.
North Beach
Thur, 4, 11at 10:15 a.m.
Visitacion Valley
Tue, 2, 9, 16, 23 at 11:30 a.m.
Ortega
Tue, 2, 9, 16, 30 at 10:30 a.m.
Ages Birth-2
Western Addition
Thur, 4, 18 at 10:15 a.m.
Ages 1-1/2 to 3
Park
Thur, 4, 11, 18 at 10:30 a.m.
West Portal
Tue, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
at 10:30 a.m. + craft
Portola
Thur, 11, 18 at 11:15 a.m.
(Lapsits held at Family Connections, 2565 San Bruno Ave.)
Thur, 11, 18 at 10:30 a.m.
+ craft
Sat, 6 at 1:30 p.m.
(Lapsits held at Portola Branch.
Groups of five or more:
reserve at (415) 355-5660.)
Ingleside
Wed. 3, 10, 17 at 4:30 p.m.
Ages 3-5
Parkside
Tue, 9, 16, 23, 30
at 10 & 11 a.m. Ages 3-5
Main
Tue, 2 , 9, 16, 23, 30
at 10:30 a.m. Family
Portola
Tue, 2 at 10:30 a.m. Ages 3-5
Groups of five or more,
reserve at (415) 355-5660.
(Storytimes held at Portola
Branch.)
Sat, 6, 13, 27 at 11 a.m.
Family
Marina Tue, 9, 16 at 10:15 a.m.
Ages 3-5
Merced Sat, 6, 13, 20, 27 at 11:15 a.m.
Family
Mission
Wed, 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
at 10:10 a.m. Ages 3-5
Mission Bay
Thur, 4, 11, 18 at 11 a.m.
Ages 3-5
Noe Valley
Tue 2, 16, 23, 30 at 11 a.m.
Ages 3-5
North Beach
Thur, 4, 11 at 11 a.m. Ages 3-5
Ocean View
Tue, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 at 11 a.m.–noon Ages 3-5
Sat, 6, 13, 20 at 3:30 p.m.
Family
Tue, 9, 16 at 10:30 a.m.
Ages 3-5. (Storytimes held
at Family Connections, 2565
San Bruno Ave.)
Thur, 4 at 4 p.m. Ages 5 &
older (Storytimes held at
Portola Branch.)
Richmond
Tue, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 at 11 a.m.
Ages 3-5 (Storytimes held
at Richmond Police Station
Community Room, 461-6th
Ave.)
Sunset
Thur, 4 at 10:30 a.m. Ages 3-5
Visitacion Valley
Tue, 2, 9, 16, 23 at 10:30 a.m.
Ages 3-5
Western Addition
Tue, 9, 23 at 10:40 a.m. Ages
3-5 Groups of five or more,
reserve at (415) 355-5727
Ortega
Tue, 2, 9, 16, 30 at 11:30 a.m.
Ages 2-5
West Portal
Wed, 3, 10, 17 at 7 p.m.
Family/ages 2-5
(In Russian) + craft
Park
Tue, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 at 3:30
p.m. Family.
Sat, 6, 13 at 10:30 a.m. Ages 5
& younger
Thur, 4, 11, 18 at 11:30 a.m.
Ages 2-5
Crafts With Valerie
Mission, 3 p.m.
20 Saturday
*Boswick the Clown
West Portal, 11 a.m.
Films
Ages 3-5. Main, 2nd Floor,
Fisher Children’s Center,
11 a.m.
19 Friday
21 Sunday
Holiday Crafts
Ages 5-12. Bring photo or copy
of a photo. Western Addition,
3–5 p.m.
Holiday Crafts
Ages 6 & younger. Ingleside,
3:30–4:15 p.m.
22 Monday
*Bracelet Crafts with Mrs.
Wong Ages 8 & older. Space
limited; reserve at (415) 3555770. Parkside, 3 p.m.
23 Tuesday
Films Ocean View, 4:30 p.m.
27 Saturday
Videos Excelsior, 11:30 a.m.
*Dreidel Spinning
Chinatown, 2:30–3 p.m.
Videos Ages 5 & younger.
West Portal, 10:30 a.m.
*Funded by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library
Friends Focus
December Featured Sections
Book Bay Main Books on Tape & CD
Book Bay Fort Mason Literary Sidelines: Letters,
Essays & Memoirs
December Events
Dec. 15
Porchlight The Verdi Club, 2424 Mariposa St.
at Potrero Ave. Doors at 7 p.m./Show at 8 p.m.
December Events at the Jewish
Community Center
Jewish Community Center SF,
3200 California St., San Francisco, CA
(415) 292-1200
Friends members receive the JCC member price.
Dec. 2
A Palestinian Childhood featuring Ibtisam
Barakat, in conversation with Peter Waldman.
6:30 p.m. $12 Public $10 Member $5 Students
Dec. 4
A Musical Evening with Pianist Jeffrey Siegel
8 p.m. $26 Public $22 Member $15 Students
Dec. 7
Abracadabra: Jews & Magic
2 p.m. $25 Public $20 Member
Dec. 9
Film: The Soul of Morocco
By Ricky Ray. 2 p.m. $10 Public $8 Member
Dec. 14
In Loving Memory of Eugene Friend
7 p.m. $45 Public $40 Member
Dec. 16
The Radical Jack London
8 p.m. $12 Public $10 Member
Book Bay Locations & Hours
BOOK BAY FORT MASON
Fort Mason Center, Building C
Open daily 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Telephone (415) 771-1076
BOOK BAY MAIN
Main Library
Grove Street Entrance
Open all Library hours
Telephone (415) 557-4238
The mission of Friends of the San Francisco Public
Library is to create, steward and support a superior, free
public library system in San Francisco. We are committed
to raising the standard of excellence of our libraries by
funding programs and services beyond what is allocated
in the city’s budget. We believe in free and equal access
to information for all.
Thanks to Our Friends for
Another Great Year
It has been a wonderful year for Friends of the San Francisco
Public Library. We are grateful to our members, volunteers and supporters for their enduring support of the San Francisco Public Library,
a source of education and growth for people of all ages.
2008 marks our best fundraising year to date and we wrap up the
year celebrating the many successful initiatives and partnerships we
have built.
This year, Friends of the SFPL contributed nearly $4 million to
the San Francisco Public Library through the annual support grant
Western Addition Branch Library
of $750,000 and $2,325,000 in capital support. Over the past ten years,
Friends has donated nearly $20 million to the library in monetary and in-kind donations.
Friends Neighborhood Library Campaign continues to work with the Library’s Branch Library Improvement Program to transform the entire library system.
Newly renovated branches in Western Addition and
Noe Valley reopened this year. We have reached the
midway point in the campaign, having raised almost
$8 million so far to pay for the furniture, fixtures and
equipment in the new and renovated neighborhood
libraries.
Over 700 individuals volunteer with Friends
throughout the year. Our dedicated volunteers make
it possible for Friends to impact and benefit comNoe Valley Branch Library © David Wakely
munities, support the library, run our bookstores and
book sales, reach out to our members and produce our many wonderful events.
Additionally, thanks to our volunteers, book lovers and library supporters, the 44th Annual Big Book
Sale was our largest and most successful sale to date,
raising $265,000! All proceeds from the sale benefit
the library’s education programs that promote literacy
for children, teens and adults. Not only did we raise
far more than our previous record of $250,000, but we
did so this year by selling the books for $5 and under!
Our 12th Annual Library Laureates event in April
honored 35 local authors to the theme of Noir in the
City. The very special evening raised over $150,000
for the San Francisco Public Library, which funds
children’s education programs such as Summer
Reading, SAT Preparation
Workshops and art exhibitions.
In 2008, Friends’
programming included
the International Poetry
Festival Flor y Canto and
Poets 11, as well as many
author events at our
two bookstores and our
main office. Our support of the literary community
continues to grow through new partnerships with organizations such as Porchlight: A storytelling series and
Litquake, and we have bolstered our member benefits with new opportunities including half-off tickets to
Porchlight and discounts to select events at the Jewish Community Center. This year, we re-launched our
Web site to better serve our members and community.
Through the generosity of our remarkable donors, members, volunteers and library lovers, Friends is
proud to contribute to the excellence of the San Francisco Public Library.
Books at 10% off! Friends’ Bonus Bookstore Program!
Friends members ($50+ level) receive a 10% discount at the following bookstores:
A Different Light Bookstore
Academy Store, California Academy of Science
A. Cavalli Italian Bookstore
Adobe Bookstore
Alan Wofsy Fine Arts LLC
Alexander Book Co., Inc.
Amazing Fantasy
The Beat Museum
Bibliomania
Bird & Beckett Books & Records
Black Oak Books Holding Corp.
Bolerium Books
Book Bay Fort Mason
Book Bay Main
Books, Inc.
Booksmith
Borderlands Books
Browser Books
Christopher’s Books
Chronicle Books
Compass Books, Inc.
Cover to Cover Booksellers
Dog Eared Books
Eastwind Books
Globus Slavic Bookstore
Great Overland Book Company
Green Apple Books & Music
Kayo Books
Louie Brothers Book Store, Inc.
Manning’s Books & Prints
Marcus Book Stores
McDonald’s Book Shop
Phoenix Books
Red Hill Books
San Francisco Botanical Gardens, Garden Bookstore
Stacey’s Bookstore
Thidwick Books
At the Library DECEMBER 2008 7
At the Library
SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY
100 Larkin StREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102
December 2008
In this Issue:
Page 1 - All Aboard the Holiday Train!
Extended Hours
Library of Congress
New! Podcasts and More
Library by the Numbers
Page 2 - Visitacion Valley Branch
Page 3 - Play to Learn at the Main
Honoring Susie Taylor
Exhibitions Calendar
Page 4 - Opera and Literature
Who are the Cactus Eaters?
More Crafts for Teens
Adult Calendar
Page 5 - NextReads
Introducing Pearl’s Picks
Page 6 - Children’s Calendar
Page 7 - Friends Focus
Thanks to our Friends
The San Francisco Public Library system is
dedicated to free and equal access to information,
knowledge, independent learning and the joys
of reading for our diverse community.
Western Addition Branch Library
L
I B R A R Y LOCATIONS AND HOURS
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
ANZA
550 37th Ave. 355-5717 1–5 10–6 10–9 10–9 10–6 1–6 10–6
BAYVIEW/WADEN
5075 Third St. 355-5757 1–5 10–6 10–6 BERNAL HEIGHTS
Closed for renovation
557-4353See temporary services schedule on page 2.
CHINATOWN
1135 Powell St. 355-2888 Children’s Room EUREKA VALLEY/MILK
Closed for renovation
557-4353See temporary services schedule on page 2.
EXCELSIOR
4400 Mission St.
355-2868 1–5 GLEN PARK
2825 Diamond St. 355-2858 x
10–6 10–6 12–8 1–7 1–6 1–6
GOLDEN GATE VALLEY
1801 Green St. 355-5666 x
10–6 10–6 12–8 1–7 1–6 1–6
INGLESIDE
1649 Ocean Ave.
355-2898 1–5 MAIN LIBRARY
100 Larkin St. 557-4400 12–5 10–6 9–8 9–8 9–8 12–6 10–6
MARINA
1890 Chestnut St.
355-2823
1–5 10–6 10–6 1–9 1–9 1–6 10–6
MERCED
155 Winston Dr. 355-2825 1–5 10–6 10–9 1–9 10–6 1–6 10–6
MISSION
300 Bartlett St.
355-2800
Children’s Room 1–5 1–5 MISSION BAY
960 Fourth St.
355-2838
1–5 x
10–6 12–8 10–6 1–6
NOE VALLEY/BRUNN
451 Jersey St. 355-5707 1–5
x
10–9 1–9
10–6 1–6 10–6
Tours of Main
NORTH BEACH
2000 Mason St. 355-5626 x
12–6 10–9 1–9
10–6 1–6 1–6
Tours are conducted on the first Tuesday of each month at
12 p.m. Meet at the Information Desk in the First Floor atrium.
Tours are limited to 15 people on a first come, first served basis.
Groups can schedule a private tour by calling (415) 557-4266.
OCEAN VIEW
345 Randolph St. 355-5615 x
10–6 10–6 10–7 ORTEGA
3223 Ortega St. 355-5700 1–9 1–9 1–6 10–6
PARK
1833 Page St. 355-5656 x
10–6 10–9 1–9 10–6 1–6 10–6
SFPL Commission
PARKSIDE
1200 Taraval St. 355-5770 x
1–6 10–9 1–9 10–6 1–6 10–6
Meetings are generally held on the first and third Thursday
of each month. This month’s meeting: 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 4
in the Koret Auditorium of the Main Library. The public is
welcome to attend.
PORTOLA
2450 San Bruno Ave. 355-5660 1–5
10–6 12–8 1–7 1–6 1–6
POTRERO
Closed for renovation
557-4353See temporary services schedule on page 2.
PRESIDIO
3150 Sacramento St. 355-2880 ILC (International Languages Collection)
RICHMOND/MARKS Closed for renovation
SUNSET 1305 18th Ave. 355-2808
Children’s Room VISITACION VALLEY
45 Leland Ave. 355-2848 x
WEST PORTAL 190 Lenox Way 355-2886 1–5 1–9 10–9 10–9 10–6 1–6 10–6
WESTERN ADDITION
1550 Scott St. 355-5727 1–5 1–9 10–6 At the Library is published monthly on recycled paper by
the San Francisco Public Library with support and funding
from Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.
Circulation: 12,000
Online version:
http://sfpl.org/news/atl/atl_online.htm
Main Library phone number: (415) 557-4400
How to reach us
Public Affairs, Main Library, 100 Larkin St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4277; e-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.sfpl.org
Every effort has been made to produce a monthly calendar that
is both accurate and complete. Please contact Public Affairs if
you have any questions or comments regarding the listings.
Closure Times
The San Francisco Main Library and all branch libraries will
be closed on Wednesday, Dec. 24 beginning at 5 p.m. and
Thursday, Dec. 25 for Christmas; and on Wednesday, Dec. 31
beginning at 5 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 1 for New Year’s.
Treasure Island Bookmobile
557-4353
1–5 1–5 1–9 10–9 10–9 10–6 1–6 10–6
x
10–6 12–8 1–7 1–6 1–6
1–9 10–9 10–9 10–6 1–6 10–6
1–6 10–8 10–8 10–6 1–6 10–6
x
x x 10–9 11–9 1–9 1–9 1–6
1–7 1–6 1–6
10–9 1–6 10–6
11–9 1–6 10–6
See temporary services schedule on page 2 .
1–5 1–5 Community Center, 497 Ave. I
1–9 10–9 10–9 10–6 1–6 10–6
1–6 10–8 10–8 10–6 1–6 10–6
10–6 10–6 12–7 1–9 1–7 1–6 1–6
10–6 1–6 10–6
Thursdays, 10:30–12:30 and 1–4:30
“x” means CLOSED. For more information: www.sfpl.org (All phone numbers are in the 415 area code.)
8 DECEMBER 2008 At the Library
10–8 1–6 10–6
1–9 10–9 10–9 10–6 1–6 10–6
1–6 10–8 10–8 10–6 1–6 10–6
1–5 10–6 10–6 1–5 x
1–8