By Karen Fishkin, HANC Board Member

“The San Francisco Public Library recently made major changes in its core borrowing procedures that adversely affects the most vulnerable patron population:  seniors, low-income and disabled library users.  In mid-September, without any prior notice, the S.F. Library eliminated mailed notices, which let borrowers know when library materials they have requested are available for pickup at branches.  These notices greatly facilitate and encourage borrowing of library materials.  Without them it is all but impossible for thousands of library users who do not have internet access to use to library’s vast collection.”

The paragraph above is a quote from the letter that was sent to the SF Library Commission (and to the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors) by the California Alliance for Retired Americans in November.  (Editor’s note:  the full letter was published in the Richmond Review and can be found at https://sfrichmondreview.com/2019/12/02/12382/)

It is estimated that in San Francisco 138,000 residents do not have Internet access.  The Library should be serving all San Franciscans.

The HANC Board finds both the process and outcome of this new process to be problematic, and so the Board voted unanimously to support the following motion. 

            “Library card holders without computers and/or Internet access must be physically contacted with mailed notices.”