We live in a networked world where communication, technology and information all are essential to live a productive life. San Francisco has emerged as the epicenter of this global revolution, creating iconic companies that are rapidly changing the way we live. But San Francisco is also a tale of two cities — one highly literate and educated, the other disconnected from the resources and benefits of technology. This critical divide between the haves and have-nots makes public library systems more relevant than ever.
In San Francisco, a quarter of low-income residents lack Internet access. Embracing this next generation of learners is essential for our entire community to thrive. 
San Francisco receives nearly 7 million visits annually to its Main Library and its renovated branches. But children living in poverty are less likely to visit their neighborhood library. The San Francisco Public Library has made it a priority to reach out to youth with low-literacy skills who do not visit or use the library. By partnering with the San Francisco Unified School District, the library hopes to place a library card in the hands of all of our children and youth, following the lead of President Obama’s ConnectED library-card challenge, part of a multibillion-dollar, multiyear effort to transform American education for the digital age.
In San Francisco, the Mix, the new teen digital media center at the Main Library, is a learning laboratory designed to equip youth of all backgrounds with a foundation of media literacy and skills that is essential in today’s high-tech world. The Mix offers youth state-of-the-art digital media and equipment, and intimate spaces to simply to hang out.
Designed by teens, the center encourages exploration in math, engineering, science and technology through partnerships with institutions such as the California Academy of Sciences, the Bay Area Video Coalition, KQED, Girls Who Code, Blue Bear School of Music and Ninth Street Independent Film Center. We have also worked with companies like Microsoft to place this technology in the hands of our patrons. Our teens use Microsoft tablets to work in groups, they play fun games together on the Xbox and immerse themselves in the technology that will lead them into their future.
For adults with low literacy skills, the San Francisco Public Library offers the Bridge, a new learning and literacy center that offers e-learning opportunities such as earning a high school diploma, assistance with learning differences, public computer instruction, family literacy programs, and a Veterans Resource Center. In its first five months, more than 2,200 individuals attended classes at the Bridge.
These are just some of the ways that our libraries are leading the charge for a more literate and fruitful society, greater community engagement and wider participation in our democracy.
Indeed, public libraries remain among our most democratic institutions. The values of social equity and digital inclusion resonate in San Francisco. Our task and challenge lies in spreading the word about the vital role that 21st century public libraries play.
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Luis was appointed San Francisco City Librarian in 2005 by Mayor Gavin Newsom. As City Librarian, his responsibilities include the administration of the San Francisco’s 28 libraries including the city’s Main Library and 27 neighborhood branches.
