News Release

Librarians at the San Francisco Public Library—along with just about everyone else in the world—are looking forward to the long awaited seventh and final Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, 12 million copies of which will be released with much fanfare at exactly 12:01 a.m. on July 21.

Joining in the fun with readers around the world, the Library will host several events this summer celebrating author J.K. Rowling’s much-anticipated book, which has helped many young people (and adults) discover or rediscover the joy of reading for fun.

On July 11, the Knight Bus, based on the purple triple-decker bus described in the Harry Potter books, will roll up to the Main Library on the final leg of its seven-week, 37-library national tour. From 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., more than 200 lucky young fans, who were selected in a random drawing earlier this summer, will be invited aboard the bus to videotape their thoughts about Harry Potter. If space allows, walk-ins may also be accommodated. A parent or guardian must be present to sign a release form for kids under age 18. Festivities surrounding the bus will feature live children’s entertainment and activities, including “wizard rock” guitarist Roonil Wazlib, juggler/magician Owen Baker-Flynn, storyteller Mary Norris and fun with sidewalk chalk.

In other Potter-mania, the Bernal Heights Branch Library will host a Harry Potter Lunch Club starting July 24. The branch’s basement will be decorated to resemble a room at Hogwarts Academy, where wizards-in-training can listen to a recording of the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows audiobook. One chapter will be played each day starting at 1 p.m.

Magician Rick Allen will perform as Myzard the Wizard in a Magic for Young Muggles show at the North Beach Branch at 2 p.m. on July 31 and at the Excelsior Branch at 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 9. Along with his magic rabbit, Hocus Pocus, Myzard the Wizard will demonstrate why he deserves a teaching job at Hogwarts!

The sixth Potter Book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, became the fastest-selling book in history, with a first printing of 10.8 million copies. All six Harry Potter books have been No. 1 best sellers in the U.S., Britain and around the world. All programs are free and open to the public. For more information, please call (415) 557-4277.