Calendar

How can pickles be made at home simply with maximum flavor impact?
This lecture, demonstration, and tasting session will outline the
processes and techniques of vinegar-brined pickles (both canned and
quick), and fermented pickles, and offer useful tips for the home DIY
enthusiast. And as time permits, we'll also discuss some of the more
peculiar pickling possibilities from the fringes of preserved fruits
and vegetables - soy sauce pickling, nuka (rice bran) pickling beds,
salt-cured pickles, and Electric Kool-Aid pickles. Bring your
questions and your pickling passion!

Karen Solomon  is the author of Jam It, Pickle it, Cure It; Can It, Bottle It, Smoke It; and the Asian Pickles e-cookbook and print cookbook series. In addition, Karen has written about pickling and food preservation for a host of publications, including Saveur.com, The Blender (the blog of Williams Sonoma), Fine Cooking, Prevention, Yoga Journal, Vegetarian Times, and the San Francisco Chronicle. When no one is looking, she drinks pickle brine by the shot.

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).

Qigong is  the Chinese art and science of becoming aware of life energy and learning to control its flow.  Qigong instructor, Leslie Shimmin,  shares qigong execises that may help to improve posture, balance, and energy flow through gentle, graceful movements.

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.

Learn how to make easy and fun wallets out of colorful and patterned duct tape!  (All materials provided) Ages 7-12. For more information, contact Nicole at (415) 355-5660 or nterminigermain@sfpl.org.

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 learn how to make a flower kusudama out of paper! Literally translated as "medicine ball," kusudamas are paper spheres that are made by sewing or gluing folded pieces of paper together. All materials will be provided. Everyone is invited to attend. Instructions will only be 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.

Come join the Bay Area Rapid Folders and learn some great origami tricks.

All skill levels are welcome. Please bring your own paper.

GoGo Craft will teach you how to make a customized tote bag that is perfect for carrying your library books or shopping at your local farmer’s market. Appliqué a cotton tote with San Francisco images like the Golden Gate Bridge, cable car, or your favorite landmark. Bring your own Bag or use one of ours. Materials, tips, and tricks provided.

For adults and older teens. Space is limited; call 355-5757 or contact Ileana at ipulu@sfpl.org to register or if you have any questions.  

Learn to make beautiful origami flowers to celebrate spring. All materials provided. No experience necessary.

Join us for crafting in the Art, Music and Recreation Center on the first Saturday of each month.  Advance registration is required as attendance is limited to 12 people.  Sign up begins one week before the event.  Register in person at the AMR desk, by phone (415-557-4521), or by emailing ggood@sfpl.com.

Craft enthusiast Roz Chang will teach novices how to make small animals from felt and wool.  Materials provided. Space limited, call for reservations.

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.

Want to learn how to knit or crochet or hang out with other knitters and crocheters? The Knitting Circle at Sunset Library welcomes knitters and crocheters of all ages and all levels. Please bring your own supplies. We meet the second Saturday of each month.

For more information, see a librarian or call 355-2808.

Let mobile craft workshop, GoGo Craft, show you how a shrunken sweater can be turned into a pair of cozy fingerless gloves.  Not too handy with a sewing machine?  Not to worry!  This low sew project can be completed with our patterns and just a needle and thread.   Shrunken sweaters provided.  Ages 13 and up.

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

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.

Join us to create yarn ball catnip toys for your cat.  You and your cat will have lots of fun with yarn ball catnip toys! Materials will be provided.

Want to learn how to knit or crochet or hang out with other knitters and crocheters? Get Your Knit Together at Knit Happens is a big all ages (9 and up) knit and crochet gathering! The library has supplies to practice on but bring your own yarn and needles or hooks if you have a special project in mind. In general, we meet the third Saturday of each month.

Mobile craft workshop, GoGo Craft, will show you how to make your very own customized tote bag that is perfect for carrying your library books or shopping at your local farmer’s market.  Appliqué a cotton tote with San Francisco images like the Golden Gate Bridge, cable car, or your favorite landmark.  Tote Bag provided.  This workshop is for makers of any skill level.

Space is limited to 10 participants (adults and teens age 13 and up). Please contact Excelsior Branch to sign up.

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.

Join Sophie for some hands-on creative fun!

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.

Make your own bag out of a t-shirt.  You will learn how to cut up a t-shirt and make a very stylish fringe bag perfect for toting groceries or your libary books!  Bring your own t-shirt or use one we provide.

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

Learn the basics of  knitting, or bring along a project you need help with. Each knitter receives personal help in a nurturing and relaxing environment.  Beginners, rusty, and social knitters welcome!

Yarn provided; bring your own needles (if starting a new project, size 7 or 8).

Class size limited - register with Ocean View librarian.

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.

Bring your knitting projects. All levels welcome. Ages 18 and up.

Celebrate summer by sending your friends a card that will sprout beautiful flowers or fragrant herbs! Learn how to make your own seed paper from scratch and take home a card or two that will surely delight whomever you decide to send it. Instructions will only be in English. Space is limited, please register at Chinatown reference desk or call (415)355-2888. For everyone ages 5 and up; children 8 and under must be with an adult.

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

Join Sopie for a fun craft project for children and their caregivers.
A parent or caregiver must be available to assist children eight years old and younger.

For children ages 3 and older.

Space is limited. Reservations for groups required by calling Sunset Children's Department at (415) 355-2818

Learn the basics of  knitting, or bring along a project you need help with. Each knitter receives personal help in a nurturing and relaxing environment.  Beginners, rusty, and social knitters welcome!

Yarn provided; bring your own needles (if starting a new project, size 7 or 8).

Class size limited - register with Ocean View librarian.

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.

Come learn the ancient art of jewelry making!

Jeweler extraordinaire Chelsee Robinson will guide you in learning the latest techniques & applications.  Work with real stones, crystals, beads and more to create a beautiful necklace, bracelet or earrings!  All materials provided.  Space is limited and pre-registration is required.

For ages 12 - 18. Contact Tony at aluini@sfpl.org or call 415-355-5700 to register.

Come join the Bay Area Rapid Folders and learn some great origami tricks.

All skill levels are welcome. Please bring your own paper.

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.

Want to learn how to knit or crochet or hang out with other knitters and crocheters? The Knitting Circle at Sunset Library welcomes knitters and crocheters of all ages and all levels. Please bring your own supplies. We meet the second Saturday of each month.

For more information, see a librarian or call 355-2808.

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.

Come join the Bay Area Rapid Folders and learn some great origami tricks.

All skill levels are welcome. Please bring your own paper.

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.

Want to learn how to knit or crochet or hang out with other knitters and crocheters? The Knitting Circle at Sunset Library welcomes knitters and crocheters of all ages and all levels. Please bring your own supplies. We meet the second Saturday of each month.

For more information, see a librarian or call 355-2808.

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.

Come join the Bay Area Rapid Folders and learn some great origami tricks.

All skill levels are welcome. Please bring your own paper.

Want to learn how to knit or crochet or hang out with other knitters and crocheters? The Knitting Circle at Sunset Library welcomes knitters and crocheters of all ages and all levels. Please bring your own supplies. We meet the second Saturday of each month.

For more information, see a librarian or call 355-2808.

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.

Come join the Bay Area Rapid Folders and learn some great origami tricks.

All skill levels are welcome. Please bring your own paper.

Want to learn how to knit or crochet or hang out with other knitters and crocheters? The Knitting Circle at Sunset Library welcomes knitters and crocheters of all ages and all levels. Please bring your own supplies. We meet the second Saturday of each month.

For more information, see a librarian or call 355-2808.

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.

Come join the Bay Area Rapid Folders and learn some great origami tricks.

All skill levels are welcome. Please bring your own paper.

Want to learn how to knit or crochet or hang out with other knitters and crocheters? The Knitting Circle at Sunset Library welcomes knitters and crocheters of all ages and all levels. Please bring your own supplies. We meet the second Saturday of each month.

For more information, see a librarian or call 355-2808.

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.

Come join the Bay Area Rapid Folders and learn some great origami tricks.

All skill levels are welcome. Please bring your own paper.

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.

Want to learn how to knit or crochet or hang out with other knitters and crocheters? The Knitting Circle at Sunset Library welcomes knitters and crocheters of all ages and all levels. Please bring your own supplies. We meet the second Saturday of each month.

For more information, see a librarian or call 355-2808.

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.