With 27 branches and one Main Library located within the 49 square miles of San Francisco, it is not difficult to find a nearby library, no matter where you live or work. The reality is that many people are not aware of the wide range of library resources available, from technology classes to entertaining craft and creativity programs for all ages. The TechMobile and Spoke & Word are visually appealing and able to get out and go to where people are congregated such as street festivals, farmer’s markets, ballgames and more.

Placing a technology classroom inside a bookmobile and outfitting a bicycle with books and mobile hotspot, to bring out to senior centers, schools and street fairs, the library teaches skills and finds new audiences, reaching those most in need. The TechMobile offers a menu of technology courses and lesson plans that are scalable for all ages and skill levels, from basic literacy to coding to 3D printing. Spoke & Word brings library services to the street in a low-cost, eco-friendly manner, providing a unique outreach tool that has a small footprint and can easily navigate the city on busy days.

Street fairs and other sites bring library services to those unfamiliar with the library. The TechMobile has visited 30 community organizations and makes regular stops at public housing on Treasure Island, offering a broad array of tech classes to expand digital inclusion. TechMobile Librarians teach youth how to code, make circuit boards work and use 3D printing technology. Spoke & Word turned heads and attracted thousands of viewers at such events as SF Giants games, the Pride Parade and street fairs, with new users signing up for cards and checking out books, in its first year of service