District 8

The first West Portal Branch Library was built on a parcel of land which had been transferred from the Board of Education to the San Francisco Public Library in February of 1936. The Branch was opened to the public on May 2, 1936. Just three years later, on May 8, 1939, the Branch was re-opened in a new building designed by architect Frederick H. Meyer and constructed by the Works Progress Administration for a cost of $109,090. West Portal Branch was designed in a Mediterranean style with colorful red, ceramic roof tiles.

The The Noe Branch Renovation was completed on March 8, 2008. The Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Branch Library was the seventh branch established in the San Francisco Public Library system. The first Noe Valley Branch building was located at 1308 Castro Street. Using a grant provided by Andrew Carnegie, SFPL built a two-story building with a Spanish-style facade of brick and terra cotta. It was completed September 17, 1916 at a cost of $45,499, including furnishings. The architect was John Reid, Jr.

The new library features an expanded collection of material, a teen room, a children's area with window seats and skylight, plus a program room accessible after hours for community meetings. The new 6,100-square-foot branch provides a prominent civic presence on Ocean Avenue, adding to the revitalization of this commercial strip at the nexus of a diverse community. The robust, light-filled, and sustainable architectural design highlights the virtues and aspirations of this community: valuing the accessibility of knowledge and education to everyone.

Glen Park Branch Library first opened in January 1927, at 700 Bosworth Street. The branch was located at that site for almost 38 years, until the building that housed it was demolished during construction of Interstate 280. Glen Park Branch was then housed in several different locations over the course of 42 years until a multiuse building was constructed in the neighborhood at 2825 Diamond Street. Part of the new building was designated just for the library. The branch opened on October 13, 2007 and became the sixth branch to be renovated through the Branch Library Improvement Program.

The thoughtful renovation of the beautiful, midcentury modern branch included a small addition, new accessible restrooms, seismic upgrading, technological updating and new furnishings. The light-filled Library includes a reading lounge area with a refurbished gas fireplace as well as a pleasant outdoor courtyard surrounded by flowers and plants. Originally built in 1961, the branch library now offers more designated space for teens and children as well as accommodating a new staff work area. A more flexible layout can support a variety of library programs and events.