It is also the first building in San Francisco to have talking signs to assist sight-impaired patrons. to incorporate many green building features. It is one of the first major public buildings in the U.S.
Local celebrities, including actor Robin Williams, read their favorite children’s stories.Ĭonstruction of the New Main Library is complete. In a pre-opening celebration, the Library Foundation puts up tents outside the New Main Library for a special Family Day event that draws 12,000 parents and children. The publisher donates the book as a gift to the Library to commemorate the years of struggle to build the New Main Library. Weldon Owen publishes A Free Library in this City, a history of the San Francisco Public Library by Peter Booth Wiley. appoints a new Library Commission, replacing six of seven members. The Library administration defends the professional standards and judgment exercised by staff in weeding obsolete materials.Ī new children’s bookmobile begins service. Critics allege that the Library is disposing of large numbers of books instead of moving them to the new building. At the same time, thousands of books from the new affinity groups and the Shanghai Sister City Collection, long housed at the University of San Francisco Lone Mountain campus, are moved to the New Main.Īs librarians pull damaged, outdated or duplicate materials from the Main collection, a controversy erupts, foreshadowing rough times ahead. For the sixth time in its history, staff prepares to move the enormous Main collection, sorting through nearly a century’s worth of accumulated materials. The Main Library closes to the public at the end of the year. Branch libraries receive thousands of new books and staff begins weeding collections to make room for new materials. 1995īecause of Proposition E funds, the book and materials budget triples and system open hours increase 46%. The Library establishes public Internet access and a Library Web site that includes an online Community Services Directory of all San Francisco government agencies, community, neighborhood, health, human service and business groups. Proposition E passes with over 70% of the vote. When campaign funds run low, Mary Louise Stong loans the campaign money to continue the fight. The Friends, under the leadership of President Diane Filippi launch a ballot initiative for dedicated Library funding to stop the boom and bust cycle of Library budgeting. Mayor Jordan removes six of seven Library Commissioners in a budget dispute. More proposed budget cuts mean dramatically reducing hours at some branches, further reductions in the book budget and fewer staff. The Library Foundation pays to move the 800-ton monument to a site between what will become the Asian Art Museum and the New Main.
The monument originally stood before the City Hall that was demolished by the 1906 earthquake. An endowment is created in his name.Īnother difficult budget year forces the Library to trim its book budget and hours.Ī major political fight erupts over moving the Victorian era Pioneer Monument that sits at Hyde and Grove streets. Philanthropist Mel Swig dies after a long illness. Library funding for children’s programs is increased. Voters approve Proposition J, an initiative sponsored by community activists to increase the baseline spending for children’s services citywide. Keep Libraries Alive! campaigns for more Library funding. The economy is in a recession and the Library is again facing budget cuts. Also found is a wedding band, perhaps the last remains of the Yerba Buena Cemetery that once held more than 5,000 bodies and was removed in 1870. The Library excavation uncovers part of the old jail and other rubble from City Hall when it collapsed in the 1906 earthquake. He uses the same silver shovel Mayor “Sunny Jim” Rolph held when ground was broken for City Hall. Hundreds attend the ceremony, including Mayor Frank Jordan. Ground is broken for the New Main Library on Marshall Square.
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