April 2025

The Library as a Self-Service Classroom for Lifelong Learning According to the American Library Association (ALA), libraries serve their communities by meeting their informational, educational, and recreational needs (ALA, 2018). The San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) supports this mission through a self-service, user-centered environment that fosters lifelong learning. Its mission, Read more…

Gwanda, a Royal Goliath Beetle, arrived at the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) Merced Branch in June 2023 and left us on March 8th, 2025. She formed a strong connection with the library staff and patrons. I started my job at SFPL Merced Branch in April 2024 and fell in Read more…

Beetletopia Living Lab–Bring natural habitats to the library at San Francisco Public Library Merced Branch As reflected in its mission statement, the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) strives to connect diverse communities to learning, opportunities, and each other. At the Merced Branch, this mission is exemplified through the collaborative efforts Read more…

Library—A Community Space between Home and Work Libraries are increasingly embracing their role as the “third place,” a community-centered space that complements both home and work environments. Phil Morehart’s article, “Moving Beyond the ‘Third Place,’” highlights innovative library designs that prioritize community engagement and human needs over traditional book-centric models. Read more…

A community formed by plants—The Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture at the San Francisco Botanical Garden The authors of Brilliant Green, Alessandra Viola, and Stefano Mancuso point out that while plants can survive and thrive without humans, human life depends entirely on plants. As Pewhairangi’s A Beautiful Obsession suggests, Read more…