Students love their library

by Mary Abler

Bayview-Library-architects-rendering-full-view-web, Students love their library, Culture Currents A new Bayview Branch Library is currently under construction at the corner of Third Street and Revere and the branch will open to the public early in 2013. Friends of the San Francisco Public Library has been working with Bayview neighbors and library lovers on fundraising to furnish and equip this branch and to raise awareness about the branch. Earlier in 2012, Friends’ Bayview Branch Library Campaign Committee hosted an essay contest, asking, “How can the new Bayview Branch Library help to build a stronger Bayview community?”

Students who live in the area or have a strong connection to the community were encouraged to submit their work for a chance to win up to $250. Presented in partnership with the San Francisco Public Library and the Bayview Koshland Fellows, the essays were divided into age categories and judged by Bayview community supporters Derek Toliver, Theodore Ellington, Cynthia Scott and Dr. Betty McGee.

Friends received many excellent submissions all echoing the same sentiment – that the Bayview community loves its branch library. The winners have been published by Friends on their blog, The Readers Review. Below are some quotes from the winning essays. You can read the full essays at http://thereadersreview.org/category/bayview-essay-contest/.

Earlier in 2012, Friends’ Bayview Branch Library Campaign Committee hosted an essay contest, asking, “How can the new Bayview Branch Library help to build a stronger Bayview community?”

Nathan F., fifth grade: “The new Bayview Library will help different cultures coexist. There are so many cultures in the Bayview community; the library could become a place for cultures to learn about each other, as well as a place for students to do their homework with their families and read new and interesting books . … The new library will allow for children and their families to visit anywhere in the world, through a book.”

Isaiah T., seventh grade: “I believe having a new library will help build a stronger community because having a new and improved library will encourage more people to go to the library, it will help students improve their grades and futures, and it will have more resources and programs to help more people. The community around Third Street and Revere will be stronger if a new library is build. It will provide a safe place of learning for me, my family and neighbors. For these reasons, I conclude that a new library be built so that more people can have the positive experience that I had with a friendly librarian that helped me do my homework and start to do better in school and therefore have a better future.”

Timothy B., college: “The new library being built will allow the community to recognize that we are being given [free access to] resources. Now all we have to do is go and use them. … The Bayview Branch Library would allow the community to become stronger [and will] provide technology available to people who don’t have access to it.

“The new Bayview Branch library will also allow students like myself to come to a safe environment and study, as well as acquire materials to help me in my academics. … I view myself as a positive role model in my community and my behavior and actions motivate younger individuals who look up to me as a role model. By being this motivational force with people of the younger generation seeing me studying in the library, it will motivate them to study and educate themselves as well.”

Congratulations to the winners!

Mary Abler of Friends of the San Francisco Public Library can be reached at mary.abler@friendssfpl.org.