News Release

San Francisco – The San Francisco Public Library is engaged in a series of projects to ensure the visual record of San Francisco’s unique neighborhoods. The effort, spearheaded by the Library’s History Center, is aimed at targeting communities that are underrepresented in its Historical Photographic Collection. To date, efforts have already been successfully implemented in Ocean View and the Mission Districts. The Library’s collection contains photographs and works on paper of San Francisco and California from 1850 to the present. Currently the Library is seeking photos from former and current residents of the Sunset District and West of Twin Peaks neighborhoods to add to the Historical Photographic Collection.

On Sunday, April 25, 2004 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. the Ortega Branch Library will host a Shades of San Francisco Photo Day with historians, library staff and community volunteers on hand to reproduce photographs that emphasize family and community celebrations, political and social organizations, and people at home, work and play. Photographs will be copied while neighbors enjoy refreshments and conversations with local historians and neighbors. The images collected on April 25 will be added to the History Center’s Photographic Collection becoming important primary resources for research by scholars, students and the general public. In addition, the Main Library will showcase the photo collection in an exhibition expected to open during Fall 2005.

“There is no better way of telling the story of the past than with photographs taken by local families, friends and neighbors,” said Susan Goldstein, City Archivist. “This is the community’s chance to help uncover a hidden layer of history and the different kinds of people who create a neighborhood.”

Appointments to participate in this month’s Photo Day are strongly recommended and can be made by calling 415-752-2483. Volunteers are also needed to assist Library staff on Photo Day; interested persons should also call for more information.

The Shades of San Francisco photo history day is supported by a grant from the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library. For more information please call 415-752-2483.

NOTE TO EDITOR: Images available, please call Gabrielle Jones
415-557-4282 for more information.