Portola Branch Library

Tucked away on Bacon Street, the Portola Branch Library isn’t just a building filled with books. It’s a living testament to the community’s love for stories. The Portola Branch Library first opened its doors in 1927. It was the 14th branch in the San Francisco Public Library system. Back then, it was a humble Deposit Station, a far cry from the modern structure you see today. The library hopped around a few leased spots on San Bruno Avenue. It finally found its permanent home at 380 Bacon Street in 2009. This new building, designed by Stoner Meek/Noll and Tam architects, is a marvel. Imagine natural light pouring in from skylights, illuminating a stunning glass-shutter artwork by Dana Zed. Picture yourself relaxing in a north-facing view garden, a peaceful oasis amidst the bustling city. The Portola Branch Library moved into this beautiful new building on February 28, 2009. This marked a significant milestone. It was the second of four leased-facility branches to transition into a city-owned building. This new space, boasting 6,300 square feet, offered a much-needed expansion for the growing community. The Portola Branch Library has always been more than just a place to borrow books. In 2008, the Kid Power volunteers brought the library to life. These middle and high school students dedicated their summer to helping with the library’s summer reading program. They filled the space with their creativity, crafting poems, drawings, and collages. These vibrant creations reflected the spirit of the Portola community. Today, the Portola Branch Library continues to serve as a vital community hub. It offers a diverse range of resources, including a medium-sized Chinese language collection and a smaller Spanish language collection. The library strives to be inclusive and accessible, with staff members who speak English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Toi-Shanese, and Vietnamese.