SF: Rethinking the city library system.

[RandySF]

Whenever I take my son to the children's section of the Main Library on the weekend, it's always empty as Grant's Tomb. You can literally count the number of kids on two hands. But no matter what day we go to the Chinatown Branch, both the children's and adult's sections are full from open to close. I've been told the same is true for just about every neighborhood branch (they have to actually turn families away at the Mission Bay library during story time). Can someone explain to me why, when it is time to cut library funding, neighborhood branches always take the brunt. As far as I can tell, the neighborhood branches in San Francisco are always crowded while the main branch is always nearly empty. I would be willing to close down the main library, open branches in SOMA and the Tenderloin and build on the network by which books can move from branch to branch upon request. What's wrong with my idea?

[Fire Walk With Me]

1. Los Angeles library branches kept getting cut and cut, but are now springing back

due to a voter initiative several months ago. We were down on the local branches to no Sunday or Monday hours, and limited hours other days. Monday is back, the trend is reversed!

I don't know if we could shut down the main branch in favor of the locals, we haven't had to consider it, THANKFULLY. I hope SF's troubles are solved with ease and grace!

[RandySF]

2. It's not just a matter of cuts.

The Main Branch does serve the Tenderloin and SOMA area but it is huge and mostly empty. I would like to see a cost analysis of shutting it down and opening two smaller branches.

[NuttyFluffers]

3. whenever i go to Sf Main on weekdays it's pretty full considering the size

in fact, i've seen (and had to wait in) lines trying to get in early in the morning. and it felt like a supermarket more than once when trying to check out before closing.

the place is huge too, so it'll never feel all cozy and crowded as a district branch.

main branches are mainly records repositories, gatherings for meetings/events, and for work professionals. being less crowded on the weekends is not a surprise to me, especially in a city where there's a lot of other things to do on a weekend.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

4. So odd. Our main library is always packed to the brim. What's wrong with your city that the main

is the least busy????

[RandySF]

5. A few things come to mind.

First of all, the Main Branch is located in the Civic Center neighborhood (City Hall, Superior Court, etc) and is a little scary for some. Second, if you live in the Sunset district (the far western edges of the city) and do not own a car, you have to wait forever for an N Judah train and travel a half-hour to get there. Finally, patrons have the option of reserving books form other neighborhoods and picking them up at the branch for your choice.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

6. Do you think the main library perhaps should be in a more trafficked? nt