Lincoln Highway: San Francisco Public Library Anza Branch!

The first library visit on the Lincoln Highway library research trip

the San Francisco Public Library Anza Branch

Whenever anyone takes a road trip, they always stop in a libraries, right?

I’ve already talked about how libraries are great places to visit when you are out on the road. And it’s true! Libraries are always cool, always with fun things to look at.

I confess: I was a little nervous. I hadn’t called ahead, or let anyone know that a roving librarian was stopping by - complete with a set of questions to ask, things to count, and a few photos to take. I don’t want to be annoying, or to get on anyone’s nerves when they are doing Important Library Work. I just want to ask questions, and to gush about libraries!

And I absolutely should not have worried. Library people are the best people.

Well, it’s also true that the staff at the Anza Branch of the San Francisco Public Library were great!

I didn’t take nearly enough photos, because I was busy reading through my questionnaire. (I wrote this out a while ago, and had the pleasant experience of having little jolts of “oh, that was a good idea!” every so often as I read the questions.) I tried to keep it short for the parts where I’m pestering people for answers to questions that they may not easily be able to answer. So there are several questions where I’m wandering around on my own, counting things and writing notes.

This branch seems to have a real feel for their community, with a lot of cool material available to serve their information needs! There were a lot of people looking at books, participating in Lego programs, and zooming in and out the doors as they check out books to take home. Signs were available in English, Chinese, and Russian. It was crowded, in a cozy way - you really feel like everything is right there and ready for you to take it home!

Every library has at least One Cool Thing, and while this library was endowed with several of them, I absolutely loved the back patio area. I went downstairs to admire the Lego group of people, and wandered out an open door. (Note: if there is an open door, I will ALWAYS go through it! I tell people at my school that I’m sure everyone is happy to see a librarian pop through a door, so: you’re all welcome.)

I used to live in Boston, so am familiar with big cities that are squished and everything feels tight. San Francisco was that. Except! This back patio area was lovely! I can absolutely see programs happening out there. And I happily sat there and answered the raft of texts and emails that started appearing on my phone this afternoon. It was great! (You aren’t working if you are in a lovely place, right???)

If you are driving the Lincoln Highway, or if you just want to visit a really nice neighborhood library while you are in San Francisco, I really recommend that you stop by the Anza branch! I had a very nice time, managed to restrain myself from grabbing all the books off the shelves (it was a struggle!), and had a chance to relax and chat and enjoy myself.

Oh! And I was delighted that the library people knew about the Lincoln Highway!!! While they don’t currently have a display for it, there were immediate plans to start putting one together. As the library closest to the Western Terminus, that seems like a neat way to be in touch with one small historical site here.

Have you been to your local library this week? If not: go! If you have been: search out another library! There is always, always, always something that you will find that will be excellent. Go find it, and enjoy yourself!