Vietnamese Lunar New Year Tet Festival

"Each year between mid-January and mid-February, the Vietnamese community observes the Lunar New Year. The occasion is for the Vietnamese residents of San Francisco to remember their heritage and traditions and to pay tribute to their ancestors.

The festival held in the Little Saigon area (Tenderloin district) of San Francisco gives them an opportunity to see old friends, enjoy music and dances, sample special foods and have a good time that they hope will continue throughout the new year. A unique feature of the event is the generous attention given to children who, besides the traditional lucky money in red envelopes, also receive free coupons for foods and games." From the website.

It was a joyous celebration Sunday, February 7th, at the Vietnamese Chinese New year Tet Festival in the Tenderloin. We welcomed about 520 people aboard the bookmobile.Check out the pictures!

Bernal back in business! Park to start its makeover!

Good day, all!

Thanks to all who joined in the Grand Reopening festivities at Bernal Heights Branch on Saturday, January 30th! Patrons of all ages can now find a welcoming, comfortable, and stylish library ready to serve them at 500 Cortland Avenue (at Moultrie). Don't forget to visit the inviting new Children's Room! We deeply appreciate your patience with the two-year renovation process, and for putting to good use our Bookmobile that had served the community in the meantime.

But now -- we're getting ready to add Park Branch to our schedule of Bookmobile service stops. Beginning Tuesday, March 2nd, the Branch Bookmobile will be ready at 751 Stanyan Street (west side, just south of Waller) to serve the library patrons of the Haight-Ashbury community twice weekly. Here's our upcoming schedule:

Tuesdays, 3:30pm-7pm
Wednesdays, 1pm-5pm

Wondering where to bring little ones for storytimes? Beginning Thursday, March 4th, Park Branch's Baby Rhyme Time and Family Storytime will be presented at the Park Police Station Community Room, 1899 Waller Street. Check the hours below:

Thursdays, 10:30am -- Baby Rhyme Time
Thursdays, 11:30am -- Family Storytime

Join us for stories, songs, fingerplays, music and movement each Thursday. We'll be happy to see you there! But first, don't miss your chance to say "We'll see you again!" to staff and fellow patrons at Park Branch Library's Closing Party (1833 Page Street, near Cole) on Saturday, February 27th, from 2-4pm. Come for entertainment, music, and treats, and to hear about some of the great renovation plans . . .

Some clarification on Merced Bookmobile stop.

Good day, everyone!

A few patrons have recently inquired about the Merced Bookmobile service stop, asking where its exact location might be. To one and all, we say that the Merced Bookmobile can be located at Buckingham Way, near the UA Twin Cinema at Stonestown Mall, each Monday and Saturday, 10am-12:30pm.

Preschool Storytimes for Merced Branch, meanwhile, are presented each Monday at 9:30am, at the Stonestown YMCA Childwatch Room.

Many thanks for reading, and we look forward to serving you in 2010!

Bookmobile service coming to Presidio Branch community!

Saturday, December 19, the Presidio Branch begins its renovation period with a closing party from 2pm-4pm, featuring entertainment, food, and music! Starting Wednesday, December 23, look for the Branch Bookmobile from 10am-12:30pm at 2715 California Street (at Scott). We'll also be open for service at the same location each Friday from 10am-12:30pm. Step aboard and take a look at our selection of books for all ages, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and CD-ROMs, all of which can be checked out with your San Francisco Public Library card. Need a card? We're happy to help! Come aboard and register with a photo ID and proof of current California address, and you can check out items right away. It's all free!

Bookmobile service:

Wednesdays, 10am-12:30pm
Fridays, 10am-12:30pm

Don't forget Children's Preschool Storytime each Thursday at 10:15am, at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, 3200 California Street, during the time of the branch's renovation. Parents and caregivers welcome!

Any questions about Bookmobile service for the Presidio Branch Library community? Call 557-4353 for answers. Many thanks!

Seldom does one door close, when another opens!

Good day, all!

This Friday, November 20th, 2009, at 1pm, Mini Ortega opens for business! A temporary branch library service site at 3223 Ortega Street, Mini Ortega will provide patrons with regular branch hours 7 days a week: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays - 10am-6pm, Wednesday and Thursdays - 1pm -9pm, Fridays - 1pm-6pm, and Sundays - 1pm-5pm. Complete branch library service will be available, along with computers with internet access. Children's Programming, including weekly Storytimes, will be scheduled in the adjacent Rec. Center. (call 415-504-6053 for dates and times, and to confirm location). We of the Branch Bookmobile Department thank the Ortega Branch community for their patience and kindness during the admittedly trying time of the new branch's construction. It's been very pleasant to serve you!

Patrons of the Golden Gate Valley Branch can now find the Bookmobile ready to serve them at the corner of Green and Gough Streets (1700 Green Street, southeast corner of Allyne Park) each Tuesday from 10am-12:30pm, and each Friday, from 2:15pm-5:30pm. Come aboard and see what we have to offer! You'll find the latest best sellers, popular non-fiction, new DVDs and audiobooks, graphic novels for all ages, and a useful collection of picture books and beginning reader titles for young children. Feel free to make us your pickup point for Reserves and Interlibrary Loan items! Golden Gate Valley Branch Toddler Tales, in the meantime, are held Tuesdays at 10:15am in the library of Sherman Elementary School, 1651 Union Street (at Franklin).

Eureka Valley Branch Reopens! Final evening of Bookmobile service Tuesday, October 20th.

As Eureka Valley Branch prepares to reopen its doors, we bid goodnight and thank-you to the Branch Bookmobile at 1 Jose Sarria Court (near 16th Street). Patrons may visit the Eureka Valley Bookmobile for the last time on Tuesday, October 20th, from 3:30pm-7:00pm. All leftover hold items and reserves will be transferred after 7pm to the Eureka Valley Branch, where they will be available for pick-up when the branch resumes regular library service on Saturday, October 24th, at 2:00pm.

Yet make sure to be there for the Grand Reopening, kicking off at 1pm that Saturday! Entertainers, special treats, a ribbon cutting ceremony, and the exciting lion dancers will join in the celebrated return of this beautifully remodeled branch library!

Temporary Friday Morning Bookmobile Service to Ortega Branch.

Look for the Bookmobile in the Ortega Branch Library community each Friday for the next several weeks, from 10am until 2pm, beginning September 11th. We'll be parked and open for service at the bus loading zone for A.P. Giannini Middle School at 3151 Ortega Street. Have you Reserves to pick up at the Ortega Branch? As of Friday, September 11, you'll find them ready to check out aboard the Branch Bookmobile! Just call 415-557-4336, if you've any questions or concerns. See you soon!