Over 20 Years of Redwood City Public Library Support

Since 1998 the Redwood City Library Foundation has raised over $3 million to provide funding for important library programs.

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.

In recognition of Banned Books week, the Redwood City Library Foundation (RCLF) is holding an Upscale Pub Crawl (Pub-Libations) on September 21, 2022 from 5 pm to 8 pm. Ticket holders will start at the Downtown Library and stroll downtown to enjoy a discounted libation (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) at participating establishments. Each pub will feature a banned book with an RCLF board member to answer questions.

In 1922, there were speakeasies – pubs serving banned beverages had to quietly let people know where they could share a drink. In 2022, we are making sure that libraries do not become the speakeasies for banned books.

Join Us at Our September Fundraiser

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Banned Books Week 2022

Banned Books Week (September 18-24, 2022) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. It spotlights current and historical attempts to challenge books in libraries and schools. A challenge is when a person or group tries to get a book removed from a library or classroom, while a ban is the institutional decision to remove a book. Censorship is on the rise, but San Mateo County Libraries are committed to serving our diverse community.

Here are stories of several instances of recent book challenges and some things we can do to help.

Read more about Frequently Challenged Books and Unite Against Book Bans.

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.

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Redwood City Library Foundation's Newsletter is published in the Spring and Fall.

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