San Francisco Public Library Receives $4 million from Friends

The Friends of the San Francisco Library gave a $4.1 million grant to the San Francisco Public Library on February 3, the single largest grant ever made by the group.

"Given this remarkable time we are in, where California libraries are under such pressure, we are just thrilled we can provide this level of support," Anne Wintroub, deputy director of the Friends, told LJ.

The lion's share of the grant, $3.3 million, will support the library system's Branch Library Improvement Program (BLIP), which is funded primarily by a $105.9 million bond measure passed in 2000. BLIP has been renovating and rebuilding the system's 24 branches. The project comprises 16 renovations and eight new buildings. Work has been completed on 15 branches; seven are under construction and scheduled to reopen this year and two projects are in design or out to bid.

"San Francisco Public Library is tremendously fortunate to have this level of financial support from Friends of the Library," City Librarian Luis Herrera told LJ. "It ensures that all San Franciscans have a world-class library system to use and gets us closer to completing our goal of a total makeover of our branch library system...."

The money from the Friends, who have an ultimate goal of raising $16 million through their Neighborhood Library Campaign for the rebuilding, helps to pay for furnishings, fixtures, and equipment-expenses not covered by the bond. To date, $10 million has been raised, more than $6 million of which has come from more than 4000 neighborhood donors across San Francisco.

"Much of the money is raised through grassroots' efforts in every neighborhood in San Francisco," Wintroub said. "We also raise money through foundations and corporations, but the neighborhood effort is what makes it unique."

Among the branches scheduled to reopen this year is the 101-year-old Park Branch Library, the system's oldest, on February 26. The Friends have contributed $500,000 toward the renovations, which had a total cost of $2.9 million.

The $4 million grant also includes $750,000 in program support.

"It's an amazing partnership that other city agencies want to emulate," Herrera said.