SF Library Reopens to a Standing Ovation (Sound On)
The San Francisco Main Library reopened yesterday for the first time in 14 months.
A big thanks to journalist Peter Hartlaub for filming the heartwarming scene as library staff gave a standing ovation to the patrons who had lined up outside and first first to enter around 10am.
Omg the library just reopened & people lined up and were so excited and the library staff gave an ovation when they walked through the door.
Just loving human beings so much right now.
SOUND ON!
🥲🥲🥲@SFPublicLibrary pic.twitter.com/DFBPY8zhMU
— Peter Hartlaub (@peterhartlaub) May 3, 2021
Hartlaub, a journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle also wrote a great feature on the first person who was in line to re-enter the library, 70-year-old Russel Lewis, who doesn’t have internet access and said, “The library is like my best friend.” – Read the full interview at SF Chronicle.
ICYMI pleased for you to meet Russell Lewis, first in line when the @SFPublicLibrary reopened yesterday.
“That’s like asking, ‘How much do you miss your hand?’ or ‘How much do you miss your best friend?’ The library is like my best friend.”
📚🥲📚https://t.co/YvEiImk75x pic.twitter.com/HAGvOCUdap
— Peter Hartlaub (@peterhartlaub) May 4, 2021
In this initial phase of express in-person services, only the 1st Floor of the Main Library will reopen. The Main Children’s Center and upper floors, as well as more neighborhood branches, will reopen as staffing permits
San Francisco Public Library Reopening Timeline
- May 3 – Main Library at 100 Larkin St. reopens first floor – (Enter via Grove St.) Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sunday 12:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
- May 17 – Chinatown-Him Mark Lai Library 1135 Powell St. reopens – Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
- May 18 – Mission Bay Library at 960 Fourth St. will reopen – Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
- June 21 – Ortega, Richmond, Visitacion Valley branch libraries open
- June 22 – Excelsior Branch reopens
- See the latest reopening updates
