Over 25 Years of Redwood City Public Library Support
Since 1998 the Redwood City Library Foundation has raised almost $4 million to provide funding for important library initiatives.
Our Mission
Our mission is to support the Redwood City Library in cultivating literacy, life-long learning, and community connections.
Our Vision
We envision a community where everyone has access to information, knowledge and technology.
The Foundation is a not-for-profit organization 501(c)(3) established in 1998 and governed by a volunteer board of directors. A professional staff raises and administers gifts and ensures the effectiveness of funded programs.
Working with individual, foundation, and corporate donors, the Foundation acts as the “fundraising arm” of the library. We solicit donations to support specific services, improvements, collections and programs. We work with the Library to identify the best way donors’ gifts can enhance the Library and meet the ever changing needs of the community.
Last year, we held our inaugural Upscale Pub Crawl in recognition of Banned Books Week. Over 300 people purchased tickets, allowing them to receive a discounted drink from select downtown pubs and learn more about banned books from Library Foundation representatives at each location. Attendees enjoyed a fun evening while helping RCLF continue to support library initiatives!
Book banning in school libraries has increased nearly 30% in the last semester of the 2022-2023 school year. Banning occurs when an individual or group challenges a book it perceives as inappropriate. PEN America, the nonprofit free-speech organization, found 1477 instances of prohibited books during the first half of this academic year. Legislation passed in some states has caused some educators to remove all books in school libraries or classrooms for fear of going against the often-ambiguous laws. Banning also occurs in public libraries, and some counties have threatened to withhold library funding if challenged books are not removed. Texas has the highest number of bans, followed by Florida, Missouri, Utah, and South Carolina.
Plan to join us on October 11 to learn about banned books and have some fun while supporting the Library Foundation.
Share Your Stories
Libraries are full of stories. What's your library story?
Share your Redwood City Public Library Story and help the Redwood City Library Foundation fund more library initiatives!
We encourage you to Share Your Story about how the Redwood City Public Library has made a difference to you, whether that's helping you get a job, helping you learn a new skill, helping your child with reading -- whatever it is that's made a difference.
Go HERE to share your library story.
Check out more stories at #sharelibstories
Bridging the Digital Divide
Even with pandemic relief resources, many people still do not have reliable internet access at home for homework, research and education. In the library building, anyone can use the library's internet, but for those who need reliable internet at home or away from the library, library card holders can check out a "hotspot," a personal Wi-Fi device, for use anywhere for a 3-week interval (just like books!).
Laptops are available for check out in the library which allows patrons to move anywhere in the library for social distancing (rather than the old desktop computers, although they are also still available). When the library was closed during the pandemic, these laptops were loaned to patrons who requested them like Canada College students, Familias Unidas students, Upward Scholar students and Project READ students until they could be provided with other devices.
RCLF provides the funding to support the purchase, maintenance and cell phone contracts for the personal Wi-Fi devices and educational laptops in use at our libraries.
Makerspace in the Library
The Makerspace is now open and has begun hosting a variety of programs and activities! Come to the library to create, craft & collaborate.
Join programs like the Art Salon - Charcoal Drawing for Beginners; Digital Makers - Slow Motion Photography; Open Sewing; and so much more. Learn more about the Makerspace operations here.
There is still time to help us fully equip the Makerspace. The Podcast Room, 3D printers and laser cutters are coming soon.
Thank You to our Major Donors
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