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Rules Committee backs 'Read to Recovery' library program to distribute free recovery literature systemwide
Summary
The committee recommended a San Francisco Public Library program to provide free recovery literature at the main library and all branches, combining in-collection availability with giveaways to reduce barriers for people seeking addiction recovery resources.
The Rules Committee voted to send to the full Board an ordinance establishing a Library Read to Recovery program that will provide free recovery literature and materials at the main library and all 27 branch libraries.
Legislative aide Mahanis introduced the ordinance on behalf of Supervisor Matt Dorsey and said the pilot distributed more than 4,000 copies of recovery-related materials. City Librarian Michael Lambert described the program’s origins and goals, calling it "a wonderful example of bottom up innovation" and urging the committee to support scaling the pilot systemwide. Branch manager Doreen Horsten explained implementation logistics: the titles will become part of the circulating collection and the library will also provide giveaways and outreach so people without library cards or with other barriers can obtain materials.
Horsten listed commonly included titles and resources: primary Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous materials, secular recovery titles (LifeRing), health/self-help resources and other recovery-related books. She noted that some recovery organizations have donated materials and that librarians have taken inventory to support both in-library use and distribution at outreach events.
The committee approved the ordinance for referral to the full Board with a positive recommendation. The sponsor and library staff said the program is intended to be low-barrier and complementary to existing recovery services.
