For the next three days, bibliophiles are invited to share their most memorable library experiences at the San Francisco Public Library.
Starting at 10 a.m. today through Saturday, patrons are being asked to tell their stories in front of a video camera at the main branch, located at 100 Larkin St., for director Dawn Logsdon’s “Free For All” multi-media documentary that is delving into the state of public libraries.
Producer Lucie Faulknor said the documentary is focusing on San Francisco stories “as a microcosm of issues facing libraries around the country.”
The three days of filming will take place at the library at a “storytelling booth” inside the Jewett Gallery on the lower level.
Walk-ins are welcome, but interested parties can also email info@free4allfilms.org to schedule a 15-minute appointment.
Well-known locals are slated to participate, including San Francisco fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White and San Francisco Chronicle columnist Leah Garchik.
Memories can range from discovering a new genre or author to more abstract realizations the library offers as a physical or emotional space, Faulknor said.
Filmmakers are looking to hear about both good and bad experiences, such as receiving a first library card, making out in the stacks, or getting reprimanded by a librarian as a child, Faulknor said.
The stories will be edited for a short film presentation that will be screened at the main library’s Koret Auditorium at 2 p.m. on April 20, during National Library Week.
Excerpts of the “Free For All” documentary will be shown. The project is ongoing, with no set release date yet, and will include a talk by library historian Wayne Wiegand.
The storytelling project is a collaboration between the library and Serendipity Films, and is funded through various art grants.
More information about the project is available at www.free4allfilms.org.
Sasha Lekach, Bay City News
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