Calendar

Come and see (maybe even touch!) some rare and beautiful insects, and learn something too! **Space limited. Groups please call for reservations.** For ages 3-5.

Love LEGOs? We do, too! Join us to build fabulous LEGO projects.

Join the Museum of Craft and Design for an afternoon of making art! Learn to make a fun and simple bookmark by folding paper into origami. Make and take a few for each of your library books.

A bilingual (English/Chinese) after-school teen activity. Workshop activities include: bilingual blog publishing, digital photography, database learning, gaming, homework help and more. For teens, ages 12 and older.

Come and play games galore!  We will have a lot of your favorite board games available: Monopoly, Clue, Connect Four, Twister, and MORE. For ages 4 and up.

Free photobooth pictures at Excelsior Branch! Bring your friends and leave with a strip of pics. For ages 12-18. Contact Marla at mbergman@sfpl.org or 415-355-2868 for more information.

Opera Guild preview lectures are scheduled in communities throughout the greater Bay Area by local Guild chapters. Each preview features a renowned musicologist who may use recordings and/or handouts to familiarize the audience with repertoire from the current season.

Tales of Hoffmann by Jacques Offenbach

Speaker: Timothy Flynn

Join Summer Reading Teen Volunteer Training to help the Summer Reading Program at Chinatown Branch Library and gain community service credits. Limit to twenty-five participants. Pre-registration is required. For teens, ages 13 to 18 years old. For information, please contact Jewel at Chinatown Branch Library, Tel: (415)355-2888 or jewelchen@sfpl.org

Boswick Turnstyle the Clown!"

Come see the wonderful Boswick! 

Summer Reading Begins!

Come and take your turn petting all kinds of farm animals: A pig, chickens, ducks, goats, sheep, bunnies, guinea pigs, and more! Call to sign up for a time slot!

Back by popular demand, Six Roses, (David Boyce & Michael Cavaseno) kick off the Summer Reading Program and take us on a musical journey with a solid performance of Jazz renditions and creative originals. Great for the whole family.

Misión Flamenca's performances aim to access the creative energies of it's members and create an open, collaborative space, in a venue accessible to all who want to participate --- to share flamenco with everybody, not only those who want to perform on stage, but those who come to share in that process as active spectators.

So come and experience this expresive dance form and kick off your Summer Reading Program in Spanish style!

This SPCA program pairs trained dog-and-owner therapy teams with children to grow children's literacy, self-confidence, and socio-empathic skills. Wonderful for those learning to read, who  "underperform," or for whom extra attention in vocabulary or grammar is desired.  Your child will adore reading to this calm canine companion in a non-judgmental setting!  For ages 4-7 but older welcome. Call 415-355-5707 to reserve your spot. Space limited.

Family Theater with Marionettes for little kids!  Sing-along and Dancing. For kids 5 and younger!

Summer is the time for bubbles and no one blows bubbles like Rebecca Nile. She will astound you with her unique bubble creations! For ages 5 and younger.

Igor, the assistant of an evil scientist, is determined to become a scientist himself and win first prize at the Evil Science Fair.

The San Francisco Zoo will bring animals from different habitats, including some that live in our own backyards, but you might not realize they are there. The exact species visiting will be a surprise - possible animals include tortoises, owls, snakes, opossums and more. For children ages 4 and older.  Space is limited to 35 people.  For more information or registration, please contact Alice at 415-355-2848 or alicechan@sfpl.org

Join us for Lego Night and get your inner builder into gears! And while you are here, sign-up for SFPLs largest annual event -- Summer Reading! This is an all ages event and family participation is encouraged.

Stretch and pose with Michelle Wing from It's Yoga, Kids.

Dana Smith - California's Phenomenal Juggler!

 "The San Francisco Zoo will bring animals from different habitats, including some that live in our own backyards, but you might not realize they are there. The exact species visiting will be a surprise - possible animals include tortoises, owls, snakes, opossums and more. For children ages 4 and older.  Space is limited to 35 people. Tickets are limited to first 42 participants arriving. Tickets will be given out at Children's Ref desk day of performance.

Tons of bubbles fun with the Bubble Lady, Rebecca Niles!

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.

Teen DJ workshop with KMEL & Project Level

Program for Tweens and Teens, ages 11-18

Come learn how to spin and scratch records with KMEL and Project Level

No musical experience needed.

For more information please contact Eric Hannan

Musical fun for children and families.

For over twenty-five years, Bonnie has developed a dynamic repertoire which feeds Songs & Music Games.

Designed to maximize children's participation, her shows feature sing-along, clap along, move-along activities with folk songs from many countries and cultures.

In addition to a wealth of folk songs, Bonnie’s own original materials lend a distinctive vitality to her presentations.  She encourages children to sing, dance and fingerplay their way into the joys of music.  Kids and families cooperate and collaborate in singing games, call and response chants, story-songs, and on-the-spot rhythm bands.

Accompanying herself on guitar, keyboards, and percussion, Bonnie sings with irresistible enthusiasm.  With a repertoire rich in cultural diversity, she entertains while nurturing the seeds of children's self esteem.

Space is limited, please call for reservations.

Come pet friendly farm animals, including goats, sheep, rabbits, a pot belly pig, and more. For children of all ages.

Please join us for a special program with origami artist Shinta Arifin! Children ages 4-12 welcome.

Brave San Francisco firefighters will come to talk simply about fire safety and show off their marvelous firetruck. A must for all firetruck fans! Firefighters are on duty, so there is a chance they will get called away to fight a fire.  For ages 5 and under.

A bilingual (English/Chinese) after-school teen activity. Workshop activities include: bilingual blog publishing, digital photography, database learning, gaming, home-work help and more. For teens, ages 12 and older.

This SPCA program pairs trained dog-and-owner therapy teams with children to grow children's literacy, self-confidence, and socio-empathic skills. Wonderful for those learning to read, who  "underperform," or for whom extra attention in vocabulary or grammar is desired.  Your child will adore reading to this calm canine companion in a non-judgmental setting!  For ages 4-7 but older welcome. Call 415-355-5707 to reserve your spot. Space is limited.

Rebecca Nile - "The Bubble Lady!"

The biggest bubbles in the world!  Big bubbles!  Huge bubbles!

Much fun with lots of chances for children to participate with the amazing Bubble Lady!

Brave San Francisco firefighters will come to talk simply about fire safety and show off their marvelous firetruck. A must for all firetruck fans! For ages 5 and under.

Clown Around with Jimbo the Clown

Toddler tales

Explore the world of sharks, skates and rays!  Participants will also discover the importance of sharks in marine environments, the threats they face, and what Aquarium of the Bay is doing to help protect them. For ages 6-11.

Clown around with Jimbo the Clown!

Opera Guild preview lectures are scheduled in communities throughout the greater Bay Area by local Guild chapters. Each preview features a renowned musicologist who may use recordings and/or handouts to familiarize the audience with repertoire from the current season.

Gospel of Mary Magdalene by Mark Adamo

WORLD PREMIERE

Speaker: Lynne Morrow

Come learn about the principles of air and pressure. The Mad Scientist will make a hot air balloon and a vortex generator that makes giant smoke rings. Children will get to see an incredible exothermic reaction take place. For ages 4 and older. Groups, please call for reservations at (415) 355-5770.

Join Sophie in a  fun filled evening of family crafts.  All ages welcome!

The Bernal Jazz Quartet explores familiar standards and fresh new compositions, from bop to blues to ballads and more. An unusual front-line pairing of vibraphone (Jim Zimmerman) and sax (Michael Gold) combines with a creative supportive rhythm section of bass (Ken Lenga) and drums (Curt Moore).

Explore the world of sharks, skates and rays, with Aquarium of the Bay!  Through Naturalist-led, hands-on activities, find out how sharks are a special kind of fish with unique adaptations to help them find food and survive.  Participants will also discover the importance of sharks in marine environments, the threats they face, and what Aquarium of the Bay is doing to help protect them. Ages 6 and up. Advance sign-ups Required

Want to pick up a new skill and have tons of fun in the process? Come join us in this hands-on workshop and learn how to fold paper into just about anything. Origami artist Shinta Arifin will show you how! All materials provided. For ages 4-12.

Teen space in the meeting room. Activities include gaming, doing homework, and sometimes a movie. Ages 11-18. For more information, contact Marla at mbergman@sfpl.org or 415-355-2858.

Power-up your engineering skills with Play-Well TEKnologies and over 100,000 pieces of LEGO®! Kids apply real-world concepts in physics, engineering, and architecture through motorized projects designed by engineers.  For ages 5 and older.

Drop-in and get creative building with LEGOs. We provide all the pieces you'll need to create vehicles, robots, castles and more.

Learn about endangered species, while meeting some of the coolest snakes and lizards on our planet! Teressa Kileen shares her vast knowledge and love of reptiles with curious people of all ages! For more info, contact Marla, (415) 355-2858 or mbergman@sfpl.org.

Learn about honey bees with beekeeper/educator Tim Muhrlin. Space is limited. Please call for a reservation. For children 3 and older.

It’s a show that is in love with the library. You'll be amazed! For children of all ages.

 Join music historian Richie Unterberger for  "The Golden Age of Soul Vol. 3"  The program will feature rare clips of  performers such as Mary Wells, Jackie Wilson, Major Lance, Jimmy Cliff, Little Eva, the Four Tops, and Les McCann & Eddie Harris.  Also featured will be performers spotlighted in the previous two programs, such as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Sly Stone, and Stevie Wonder.

A bilingual (English/Chinese) after-school teen activity. Workshop activities include: bilingual blog publishing, digital photography, database learning, gaming, home-work help and more. For teens, ages 12 and older.

Come celebrate the 17th anniversary of the library's grand reopening and enjoy an afternoon of music with Gold Mountain Music Ensemble!  Light refreshments will be served.  There will be photo displays, digital scrapbook, and video documenting the branch’s long history including the 1996 reopening after major expansion and renovations, up to the present day.

Learn to create and draw dynamic comic book characters, backgrounds, and storylines with expression and movement. You will produce several cartoon scenes and the start of a comic book. Space is limited, please call for reservations, 355-2880.

Magic Dan will WOW you with amazing sleights of hand and magic! Magic for children of all ages.

Toddler tales

Build a monkey out of LEGOs and learn how to program it to move and tap out a beat on a drum using motors and gears. For kids ages 7 and up. Space is limited. Sign-up by calling the library at (415) 355-5770.

Siblings run away from home and decide to move into the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art , where they soon discover there is a mystery to be solved.

The Insect Discovery Lab

The Center for Ecosystem Survival presents The Insect Discovery Lab.  Real live insects for you to learn about and maybe even hold!

Love LEGOs? We do too! Join us to build fabulous LEGO projects. Ages 5 and older.

Magician Gerald Joseph will WOW you with amazing sleights of hand and magic! For ages 4 and up.

Magician Gerald Joseph will WOW you with amazing sleights of hand and magic! For ages 4 and up.

Celebrate the Summer Solstice with a perfect introduction to the joys of gardening. In this hands-on workshop, Jonathan Silverman, Founder and Managing Director of Feel the Earth, will offer LEARN the ART of SEEDING for children and their families. You will learn how seeds work, best ways to plant seeds, how to care for your seedlings, and begin to cultivate fresh produce or blossoms. Research shows that gardening improves children’s learning, self-confidence, health & feeling of community spirit. For ages 2 and older.

Clown around with gentle Jimbo and his accordian!

A bilingual (English/Chinese) after-school teen activity. Workshop activities include: bilingual blog publishing, digital photography, database learning, gaming, home-work help and more. For teens, ages 12 and older.

Featuring music, clowning, juggling, and audience participation. For ages 5 and younger.

Join us for a lively morning of music from around the world, including new and traditional songs. Clap, dance, and sing to the music!

Groups, please call for reservations.

Join the fun and sing along with Alison Faith Levy, a wonderful children's musician, songwriter, and formerly "Sippy Alison" from the beloved San Francisco band The Sippy Cups!

Brave San Francisco firefighters will come to talk simply about fire safety and show off their marvelous firetruck. A must for all firetruck fans! Firefighters are on duty, so there is a chance they will get called away to fight a fire.  For ages 5 and under.

Come and play games galore!  We will have a lot of your favorite board games available: Monopoly, Clue, Connect Four, Twister, and MORE. For ages 4 and up.

Join us for a fabulous music program presented by the award-winning team, Keith Torgan and Barbara Siesel!

New York- based duo Barbara Siesel and Keith Torgan will introduce children to the magic of classical music through a lighthearted, comical embellishment of the traditional Rapunzel. For ages 5 and up. Space is limited, please call for a reservation.

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

Join us to assemble and program a lego robot using Lego Mindstrom kits.  All materials provided.

Space is limited.

Ages 9 and up.  For more information contact: Maricela Leon-Barrera at mleonbarrera@sfpl.org.

Bonnie Lockhart - Songs and Stories!

For children of all ages

Join Tammy from Destiny Art Center and learn a new skill! Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial-art that incorporates dance, agility, grace, music, instrumentation and play. Participants will learn the fundamentals of capoeira movements, philosophy, instruments and call and response songs. For ages 5-up, space limited to 30 participants arriving day of class.

In this hands-on workship with Jonathan Silverman children will learn how seeds work, best ways to plant seeds, how to care for their seedlings, and begin to cultivate their own fresh produce or blossoms! For ages 5 and up.

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

San Francisco has some of the greatest landmarks in the world. Join Felicia as she shares a little history. Create an edible mosaic of the site you like best. Ages 5 and up. Advance sign-ups required.

Feel the Earth and Learn the Art of Seeding:  In this hands-on workshop learn how seeds work, the best ways to plant seeds and begin to cultivate fresh produce or blossoms. Take home your very own seedling and learn how to take care of it.  Open to children 2 yrs. old and their families.

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

Warm up to some cool, cold-blooded creatures. The Lizard Lady will show and share her extensive knowledge of snakes, lizards and exotic reptiles. For ages 5 and older. Groups, please call for reservations at (415) 355-5770.

Green Golly Project presents "Little Kids Little Songs." A wonderful introductionto live music, comedy and theatre for little kids. Space is limited. Please call up to six days in advance for a reservation. For children of all ages.

Toddler tales

The Bernal Jazz Quartet explores familiar standards and fresh new compositions, from bop to blues to ballads and more. An unusual front-line pairing of vibraphone (Jim Zimmerman) and sax (Michael Gold) combines with a creative supportive rhythm section of bass (Ken Lenga) and drums (Curt Moore).

Toddler tales

Toddler tales

The Bernal Jazz Quartet explores familiar standards and fresh new compositions, from bop to blues to ballads and more. An unusual front-line pairing of vibraphone (Jim Zimmerman) and sax (Michael Gold) combines with a creative supportive rhythm section of bass (Ken Lenga) and drums (Curt Moore).

The Bernal Jazz Quartet explores familiar standards and fresh new compositions, from bop to blues to ballads and more. An unusual front-line pairing of vibraphone (Jim Zimmerman) and sax (Michael Gold) combines with a creative supportive rhythm section of bass (Ken Lenga) and drums (Curt Moore).

Step to Poetry is a colorful literary art installation on the Main Library's staircase written by WritersCorps youth. The youth, who range in age from 12 to 19, attend an afterschool workshop run by WritersCorps at the Main Library. The installation will be on view from May 10 through June 10, and consists of nine brief poems about popular culture.

A launch event will take place on Friday, May 17 at 6 pm, featuring a stair crawl from the first to fifth floors with WritersCorps youth performing their poems along the way. Space is limited and an RSVP to the event is required as the event takes place after library hours. Contact hello@writerscorps.org or (415) 252-2546.