gopher-proxy – /1//phlog/sfpl-explorer-map-richmond-senator-milton-marks-branch.gopher.txt

Exploring San Francisco's Libraries: Richmond/Senator Milton Marks Branch
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║1 ...........Posted: 2025-03-08........... 1║
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This is part of my series on branches of the San Francisco Public Library
system, which I explore through their "explorer map" program.
SFPL Richmond Branch
Explore the image gallery
Please actually look through the gallery--there's a lot of photos that aren't
shown in this post! Hopefully the file names are descriptive enough.
Atrium Staircase
## Explorer map
This would be my second sticker collected on my explorer map!
SFPL explorer map, focused on my new richmond branch sticker
The SFPL explorer map official web page[1] features "staff picks" of places to
checkout near this library. For example, near the Richmond location:
* Boudin Bakery, 10th Ave and Geary
* Good Luck Dim Sum, 736 Clement St
* Rooster and Rice, 1 Stanyan St
* Hard Knox Cafei, 2448 Clement St
* Taqueria Los Mayas, 331 Clement St
* Moscow & Tbilisi Bakery Store, 5540 Geary Blvd
## History
The staff at the Richmond library were kind enough to hunt down and print out a
history sheet when I asked if they had historical info about the branch. It
seems to be a printout of the SFPL history page on the Richmond library[2].
This branch was the 4th established in the San Francisco Public Library system.
It was nominated, in December 2000, for designation as a city landmark.
There was a renovation which was completed on May 16, 2009. There's an official
SFPL page about the Richmond renovation[3]. Highlights include:
* Building restoration
* Additional library space
* Dedicated teen area, expanded children's room
* Study rooms
* Two-story atrium
Art from Scott Donahue was added to the front. SFPL PDF on Scott's art at this
location[4].
## Culture
There seems to be a lot of Chinese language and culture here. In fact, I once
took a Chinese calligraphy class here. There are lots of media (books, movies,
magazines, newspapers) in Chinese. There were a lot of Chinese people there,
too.
Example of Chinese media at the Richmond branch
## Features
I really enjoyed the large tables with lamps that also function as outlets that
I could plug my laptop into. Funnily enough, these lamps also have what seem to
be CAT5e ports.
This library has a dedicated class room, a childrens room, a teen room, an
entire fiction section, audio media (audio books, music on vinyl, probably
more), as well as a lot of video media--especially a lot of Asian media (most
notably Chinese).
## Aesthetics
This branch feels beautifully retrofitted and updated. Rather than intruding,
modern furnishings of glass architecture compliment the beautiful wood work,
ornate ceiling, arched windows, masonry, etc. Throughout the building cozy
flourishes and even former details are upheld rather than hidden--like tiny
little slit windows which are built around or even embraced and seen as a focal
point like the little windows in the magazine room which ooks out into either
ends of the modern extension of architecture. There are so many odd nooks
throughout the building. Somehow, the building, no matter which odd corner you
find yourself in, has a lot of light.
It's wonderfully surreal seeing the preserved beauty of old up against the
modern fixtures of glass. The whole library feels very open while having many
nooks and crannies.
Artistic photo of the staircase in the atrium/extension
Main room of the Richmond branch, facing entrance
## Neighborhood
I explored the surrounding neighborhood after, especially following the
recommendation section of the explorer map, which recommended Good Luck Dim Sum.
Good Luck Dim Sum
It's like a second Chinatown. I had some really fantastic dessert. I also went
to a dim sum place recommended by the local library--good luck dim sum, which
was delicious. I also saw that a new Chinese restaurant opened up: Lucky Food,
which is kind of buffet/cafeteria style, it was pretty good. At Lucky Good all
the tables were taken so I decided to ask some cute old aunties if I could sit
with them, I got to practice my Mandarin with them, and talk about Jesus. They
invited me to their Mennonite church. It was so cute. I forgot how much I love
this area.
Lucky Food restaurant
## Footnotes
[1]: The SFPL explorer map official web page: https://sfpl.org/sfpl-explorer-map
[2]: the SFPL history page on the Richmond library: https://sfpl.org/locations/richmond/library-history
[3]: an official SFPL page about the Richmond renovation: https://sfpl.org/about-us/capital-projects-building-you/completed-projects/richmond-renovation
[4]: SFPL PDF on Scott's art at this location: https://sfpl.org/sites/default/files/pdf/blip/richmondart.pdf