Emmett Keyser

Review of San Francisco Public Library

Whoever says that SF is a world class city certain...

Whoever says that SF is a world class city certainly isn't doing so based on its public libraries. I've lived in SF going on 21 years now. I've always liked libraries. Unfortunately, SF has an extremely poor public library system. Far and away the worst aspect of the libraries is that 1/2 - 3/4 of its employees are rude by default. The thing is I'm usually trying to be nice from the get go. I'm not a social butterfly but I at least try to say hello and have a good day. But when staff don't even look at you or they're playing with their cell phone at the same time asking what you want, it's a bit hard not to at least start wondering who this person hates more: me or themselves.

That might be a bit harsh and there really are nice staff even at the main library. And I know they have to deal with all sorts of people. But it is kind of their job. It's probably a thankless job but guess what - most jobs are thankless.

There are always 2-4 police officers outside in the front of the library smoking cigarettes. I've never seen so many police officers chain smoke for so long. I'm not being facetious when I say that I'm sure it's at least a little bit stressful. But wow a lot of smoke breaks.

The homeless at the library isn't that big a problem for me. Yes, sometimes there are fairly bad stenches in the library and yes, a lot of homeless come to the library to sleep and take up desk space. Occasionally, a fight or someone is in crisis and needs to be escorted out of the building. It's just not a deal breaker for me.

I just got back from Austin and their main/central library is outstanding. Theirs is about 2 years old so it's not a completely apples to apples comparison. But wow is it beautiful, quite, and clean not to mention not pathologically rude.

The above mentioned problems are not going away anytime soon I suspect. SF politically has never really seemed to be very well managed so from a public services standpoint I doubt the building is going to change nor will staff issues change. If I had to guess there's probably a Public Library commission with appointed members. I should probably look it up. Maybe it's a commissioner/director who's been in this position for 20 years like the recently charged Public Works Director. ;-)