Read to Recovery
San Francisco Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
San Francisco Public Library’s Read to Recovery provides free-to-keep recovery titles to all who need them. The initiative started in 2022 as a response to the City’s addiction and overdose crisis, which was recording nearly two overdose deaths per day. In an effort to support existing recovery programs, the Library refreshed its circulating recovery collection with new titles from the major recovery organizations, memoirs, and self-help books. Through outreach to recovery advocates, librarians developed a collection in multiple languages and created booklists. Local recovery groups donated books and spread the word. In 2022, inspired by local legislation called SF Recovers, SFPL partnered with a member of the Board of Supervisors to begin purchasing free-to-keep recovery titles. This effort led to the passage of the Read to Recovery, which amends the Administrative Code to secure funding to continue the distribution of free recovery materials to any member of the public.
Challenge/Opportunity
San Francisco is experiencing an addiction and overdose crisis. In 2018, San Francisco’s rate of fatal overdose was similar to rates in the rest of the U.S. Since 2020, a shift in the approach to managing addiction has led to an increase in fatal overdose deaths, which is now double the national rate. While the City does offer treatment services and an array of other support, much of the social and legal consequences of open drug use and drug dealing have been eliminated. The result is that parts of the City are now hot spots for open drug use, creating a dangerous environment for addicts and neighborhood residents. SF Recovers, a plan introduced by the Board of Supervisors in 2022, seeks to align 20-plus City departments with the goal of streamlining recovery services and supporting those seeking recovery from addiction. While not initially included, SFPL joined this effort in 2022 to promote its recovery book collection and in 2023 began offering free recovery books.
Key Elements of Innovation
Read to Recovery launched in February 2023 with three libraries offering free-to-keep recovery literature and basic texts. These materials do not require a library card and the public is free to take what they need. Titles include the major texts from Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Crystal Meth Anonymous, LifeRing, and Dharma Recovery; in addition, the Read to Recovery program offers supplemental texts such as The Small Book, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, Being Sober, The Zen of Recovery, Courage to Change, and Just for Today. SFPL will expand the program to all 28 libraries, so every neighborhood will benefit from the availability of free recovery literature. 12-Step meetings, residential and outpatient recovery programs, mental health service providers, and groups that incorporate Eastern traditions such as meditation are present throughout the City and Read to Recovery seeks to complement and support these recovery efforts.
Achieved Outcomes
The Read to Recovery ordinance was approved by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the Mayor in Summer 2024. This ensures that Read to Recovery will continue to receive city funding through the Library’s budget. Currently, Read to Recovery boasts 40 unique titles which are purchased through City approved vendors. A total of 4,437 free books have been distributed via the three pilot branches as of July 2024. In February 2024 a fourth library was added as a distribution point.
While still in its early stages, Read to Recovery has already spread to at least one other library system. In May 2024 the Saratoga Springs Public Library in New York started their own Read to Recovery initiative. The name Read to Recovery is not proprietary, and San Francisco Public Library willingly shared insights and graphics with Saratoga Springs. SFPL is hopeful that more library systems will adopt the initiative and scale the program in a way that suits their communities.
