Calendar

In celebration of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month in May, please come and learn how to make decorative crafts using the ancient art of Chinese knotting.

Space is limited.  For ages 18 and up.  Registration is required. For more information, please call 415.355.2888.

Instruction will be in English and Cantonese.

Come and join other visually impaired and blind people for a yoga session developed by instructor Nancy Yates with you in mind. The class is every Thursday from 6 to 7:30 pm in the Library for the Blind and Print Disabled. Perfect for Seniors or beginners who want to move in a quiet, safe and purposeful way. We will infuse positive energy as we ease into stretching, balancing, flexibility and strengthening postures that open our lungs, neck, shoulders arms, hips and especially our Hearts.

Join local watercolor artists for an afternoon of painting, trading techniques and tips. No instructor provided. Please bring your own materials and have some fun. Watercolor paints only. All levels of experience welcome.  Due to space constraints this will be limited to 16 people on a first come first served basis.

DYI enthusiasts welcome.

Learn how to turn a potato into a stamp and a freezer paper into a stencil. We will look at some design ideas to spark your imagination. Then the fun begins - you will plan and create your own masterpieces. Tote bags will be stenciled and stamped with paint. Materials will be provided.

See a librarian or call (415) 355-2848 to register.

Medicare solutions specialist Joe D'Aura will explain how Medicare supplements work.

Gentle chair yoga, good for all ages! Simple movements designed to wake up both the small and large joints of the body! Breath and easy mind-calming exercises...

Come join us at the Portola Branch for a chair yoga class led by Mark Cormier, featuring a combination of chair and standing poses.

Come and join other visually impaired and blind people for a yoga session developed by instructor Nancy Yates with you in mind. The class is every Thursday from 6 to 7:30 pm in the Library for the Blind and Print Disabled. Perfect for Seniors or beginners who want to move in a quiet, safe and purposeful way. We will infuse positive energy as we ease into stretching, balancing, flexibility and strengthening postures that open our lungs, neck, shoulders arms, hips and especially our Hearts.

In this hands-on, jewelry workshop, local designer and entrepreneur Chelsee Robinson will guide you in creating your own beautiful bracelet, necklace or earrings. Materials provided. Space is limited. Please call for a reservation. For children 5 and older.

Join renowned architect and Chinese American studies historian Philip P. Choy for an insider’s guide to the history and architecture of San Francisco’s Chinatown in his book San Francisco Chinatown: A Guide to Its History and Architecture.  In this lecture and slide presentation, witness the triumphs and tragedies of the Chinese American experience in the United States from the city's earliest days to its post-quake transformation into an "oriental" tourist attraction as a pragmatic means of survival.

Mr. Choy co-taught the nation's first college level course in Chinese American history at San Francisco State University.  He has served on numerous boards including the California State Historic Resource Commission, the San Francisco Landmark Advisory Board, and the Chinese Historical Society of America.  He is the recipient of the prestigious San Francisco State University President's Medal.

This program will be conducted in English.

Come and join other visually impaired and blind people for a yoga session developed by instructor Nancy Yates with you in mind. The class is every Thursday from 6 to 7:30 pm in the Library for the Blind and Print Disabled. Perfect for Seniors or beginners who want to move in a quiet, safe and purposeful way. We will infuse positive energy as we ease into stretching, balancing, flexibility and strengthening postures that open our lungs, neck, shoulders arms, hips and especially our Hearts.

Join local watercolor artists for an afternoon of painting, trading techniques and tips. No instructor provided. Please bring your own materials and have some fun. Watercolor paints only. All levels of experience welcome.  Due to space constraints this will be limited to 16 people on a first come first served basis.

Have you always been disappointed by your efforts to grow your own vegetable starts from seed? Do your seeds turn out long-necked and weak looking? Do they fall over dead before you can even put them in the ground? If you’ve ever frustrated by growing seeds out, or have never tried and want to, this class will teach you the basics you need to know to get growing. The class will also introduce the SFPL seed library at Potrero Hill so attendees can take advantage of the free seeds on offer! Attendees will leave with one container, planted (correctly!) with their choice of vegetable.

What You Need To Know If You Are Already Enrolled
Medicare solutions specialist Joe D'Aura will explain what you need to know if you are already enrolled in Medicare.

Gentle chair yoga, good for all ages! Simple movements designed to wake up both the small and large joints of the body! Breath and easy mind-calming exercises...

Come join us at the Portola Branch for a chair yoga class led by Mark Cormier, featuring a combination of chair and standing poses.

Cat Shimizu, the "breaducator" from Sour Flour —a Mission District bakery dedicated to neighborly bread gifting and bread education— will talk about the art and science of making bread using a sourdough starter.

This includes how to feed and take care of your own starter, and how different factors such as time, temperature, and starter hydration affect the fermentation process. Samples and suggested reading will help get you started on a fun and healthy new adventure in baking.

Do you have questions on how to use computers and the internet, how to download eBooks to your device, or how to use the library's databases? Have a reference question that requires more time to answer?

Now you can schedule a one-on-one appointment for 30 minutes with a Visitacion Valley Branch librarian to answer your questions. This special library service will be offered on the third Thursday of the month starting at 5:00 p.m.

Please call (415) 355-2848 to book your appointment!

Come and join other visually impaired and blind people for a yoga session developed by instructor Nancy Yates with you in mind. The class is every Thursday from 6 to 7:30 pm in the Library for the Blind and Print Disabled. Perfect for Seniors or beginners who want to move in a quiet, safe and purposeful way. We will infuse positive energy as we ease into stretching, balancing, flexibility and strengthening postures that open our lungs, neck, shoulders arms, hips and especially our Hearts.

A wellness presentation for Boomers and the 50+ generation, demonstrating easily learned techniques for improving memory. Special focus on day to day issues confronted by mature adults, taming forgetfulness, remembering names & facts.

Charles Kraus takes everyone on a supermarket tour, teaching how to rapidly memorize a long shopping list and where you parked the car. A mental tune-up! Tip sheets and bibliography will be provided.

Simple Machines

Recommended ages: 8+

Simple Machine & Powered Machines were designed for ages 8-up.  The kits enable children to be young engineers, designers & scientists.  Through use of the materials children are encouraged to think creatively about how things work and establish links between cause and effect.  The materials provided enable children make machines such as windmills, power cars, dogbots, clock mechanisms, fishing rods, letter balances & various vehicles. Limit 10 children. Please call for a reservation. 355-2822

We'll show you how to use the library catalog, request and renew library materials, download ebooks and access an online language learning tool named Mango Languages.

Open to everyone.  No registration required.

Learn how to set up a free email account as well as how to send, reply, and forward emails.  Also, learn how to open and send attachments.  Space is limited.  For more information, please call 415.355.2888.

Basic mouse and keyboard skills are required (otherwise observe).

Join local watercolor artists for an afternoon of painting, trading techniques and tips. No instructor provided. Please bring your own materials and have some fun. Watercolor paints only. All levels of experience welcome.  Due to space constraints this will be limited to 16 people on a first come first served basis.

Free, safe, and temporary tattoos in the tradition of Africa and India. 
Choose your own design and learn how to apply it with henna. 
Henna artist Rachel-Anne Palacios will show you how, and will help apply a design on participants. 
Program limited to 25 people. 
For ages 12-19. 
This event requires a signed parent permission form for those under 18. 
To request a form and sign up, or for more information, please contact Lisa Fagundes lfagundes@sfpl.org or call 415 355 2822

Join local watercolor artists for an afternoon of painting, trading techniques and tips. No instructor provided. Please bring your own materials and have some fun. Watercolor paints only. All levels of experience welcome.  Due to space constraints this will be limited to 16 people on a first come first served basis.

Learn how to set up a free email account as well as how to send, reply, and forward emails.  Also, learn how to open and send attachments.  Space is limited.  For more information, please call 415.355.2888.

Basic mouse and keyboard skills are required (otherwise observe).

Join local watercolor artists for an afternoon of painting, trading techniques and tips. No instructor provided. Please bring your own materials and have some fun. Watercolor paints only. All levels of experience welcome.  Due to space constraints this will be limited to 16 people on a first come first served basis.

Join local watercolor artists for an afternoon of painting, trading techniques and tips. No instructor provided. Please bring your own materials and have some fun. Watercolor paints only. All levels of experience welcome.  Due to space constraints this will be limited to 16 people on a first come first served basis.

Learn how to set up a free email account as well as how to send, reply, and forward emails.  Also, learn how to open and send attachments.  Space is limited.  For more information, please call 415.355.2888.

Basic mouse and keyboard skills are required (otherwise observe).

Join local watercolor artists for an afternoon of painting, trading techniques and tips. No instructor provided. Please bring your own materials and have some fun. Watercolor paints only. All levels of experience welcome.  Due to space constraints this will be limited to 16 people on a first come first served basis.

Join local watercolor artists for an afternoon of painting, trading techniques and tips. No instructor provided. Please bring your own materials and have some fun. Watercolor paints only. All levels of experience welcome.  Due to space constraints this will be limited to 16 people on a first come first served basis.

Join local watercolor artists for an afternoon of painting, trading techniques and tips. No instructor provided. Please bring your own materials and have some fun. Watercolor paints only. All levels of experience welcome.  Due to space constraints this will be limited to 16 people on a first come first served basis.

Learn how to set up a free email account as well as how to send, reply, and forward emails.  Also, learn how to open and send attachments.  Space is limited.  For more information, please call 415.355.2888.

Basic mouse and keyboard skills are required (otherwise observe).

Join local watercolor artists for an afternoon of painting, trading techniques and tips. No instructor provided. Please bring your own materials and have some fun. Watercolor paints only. All levels of experience welcome.  Due to space constraints this will be limited to 16 people on a first come first served basis.

Join local watercolor artists for an afternoon of painting, trading techniques and tips. No instructor provided. Please bring your own materials and have some fun. Watercolor paints only. All levels of experience welcome.  Due to space constraints this will be limited to 16 people on a first come first served basis.

Join local watercolor artists for an afternoon of painting, trading techniques and tips. No instructor provided. Please bring your own materials and have some fun. Watercolor paints only. All levels of experience welcome.  Due to space constraints this will be limited to 16 people on a first come first served basis.

Join local watercolor artists for an afternoon of painting, trading techniques and tips. No instructor provided. Please bring your own materials and have some fun. Watercolor paints only. All levels of experience welcome.  Due to space constraints this will be limited to 16 people on a first come first served basis.

Join local watercolor artists for an afternoon of painting, trading techniques and tips. No instructor provided. Please bring your own materials and have some fun. Watercolor paints only. All levels of experience welcome.  Due to space constraints this will be limited to 16 people on a first come first served basis.

Join local watercolor artists for an afternoon of painting, trading techniques and tips. No instructor provided. Please bring your own materials and have some fun. Watercolor paints only. All levels of experience welcome.  Due to space constraints this will be limited to 16 people on a first come first served basis.

Over 400 years old, the Hamamatsu Festival is a celebration held each year in the town of Hamamatsu, Japan, from May 3 to May 5. Local towns which participate in the kite battles and float parades of the festival create cotton banners, called tenugui, with unique designs and colors that act as logos to help spectators identify the different groups competing. The library will be presenting over 100 of these tenugui cloths, along with the history of one of Japan’s most prominent events.