libraries in general but then we have our own library. i have to say this is my branch, this is wherely raised my kids and i see so many people in the crowd that i yusde to see in the library 30 years ago and more. it is just, yes, like you. and like frank and ingrid, and like betty and all of these people. one of my, one of my kids babysitter's from the past are in the crowd. this is always like a home coming and like a great party to -- to be here and celebrate. and, this is truly been a community effort. to make this library come alive. ev had some spectacular supporters. we got an -- a anonymous million dollar gift to support this branch and other branches around the city. and we're so amazed that someone would come forward and do something like that. then, the correct foundation came in with another million, and they have been one of the

most generous library supportering foundations in the city. there's a room, there's an auditorium at the main library named for the current foundation. they have made a very generous gift leer. we want to thank them. the donald b. gold foundation, made a fabulous half million dollar gift here. others -- are the goldsmith foundation. dr. barbara schultz and literally hundreds of members of the community who have made very, very generous gifts and support of this branch and as you know, the richmond community decided that rather than just focus on this one branch, they were going to commit to raising the funds needed for both this and the other branch. so as we celebrate the reopening of this spectacular neighborhood anchor, we'll again celebrate the beginning of the amfa

campaign. we're glad you're here to celebrate and part of the great family that support our libraries and know what they mean to our communities. you notice that the name of this branch is the richmond milton marks branch. that again is because of an incredible family. and because of the constant giving and jen yossity of this family in so many ways to san francisco and to the richmond district. so i would like to ask caroline marks to come up and say a few words. thank you all. >> what a glorious day this is. for sfan and for our district, the richmond district of san francisco. this library. is a remark arble institution that bears the name of my

husband who supportered libraries throughout his 38 years in the legislature and loved and read and learned and enjoyed from this particular branch. two of our grandchildren have taken out the first books, tcha are being circulated today. i think that's an honor. i thank you for buying leer today. because you love our libraries and our cities and you have supported the rehabilitation of the libraries with your contributions and any contributions as just mentioned are still very important. no matter how small and no matter how large, we will be grateful for them. so we appreciate the fact that you're here to share the joy of the day and we appreciate the fact that you continue to support us. and most of my family is here today, my daughter carol who is sitting under the shade of a tree came down from sacramento with her daughter zoe. my son, milton marks who is president of the city college

board and his three children, his twins, will and theo and his son -- nathan. are you around? >> they're picking out books. >> that's important, more important than standing here. then i want to introduce abbey's mother, lenore and my friend walter. i like to say a special thanks to bruce oka but doesn't seem to be here but was a key factor in getting this library named after my son. i like to mention peter warfield who is not enthusiastic all the time but he does what he believes is important for our library. and you -- you are all very important, each one of you. because you love libraries, you love learning and you're here today to share the spirit of the richmond. and so as we initiate a new year for our city and our family, to support what is really one of

the marks of our democracy, a library, the libraries and the schools are the most important parts of the establishing of theory of democracy in our children. so -- >> [applause] >> so please continue to be there with us and for us, and be the leaders that you are and encourage others to follow you because you are very important to the vision of our city, which is an unusual vision, a vision of diversity, a division of equality and dignity for all and success for all. and in our tradition, i would like to say, congratulations on this day. i neglected to thank the leaders of the library, our librarian, the friends of the library. the people who check the books in and out daily and don't mind

if your books are late in return. thank you very much. >> thank you. >> so as we, as we said and certainly as -- as senator said, it takes a village to make a library, in this case, the village that makes up the richmond district has the most fantastic and robust and committed and passionate and visionary group of volunteers -- the person that i think embodies that most is chamomile shay who has brought her children down to test foy in front of the board of supervisors, she has worked tirelessly to bring the play ground on the other side to life. and to -- to make sure that all aspects of this library are working for and with the community and so please, join me in thanking and welcoming com mill shay. [applause]

>> hello, iver thank yous to make. par as we're known is a neighborhood organization that worked to improve the quality of life in the richmond district for 30 years. par oversaw the fund raising for the play area. all of you in your generosity maded jobees. i do have people that i like to special a thank in particular. the first thank you goes to the library staff and the friends of the library and the d.p.w. staff for their patience and support of this community endeavor. and next, i like to thank paul burns and his company fire clay title r tile for the gift of the tile wall project. this contribution not only raised money, it also brought the community together. sharing in the pleasurable and creative tasks of making something beautiful together. and third, i like to thank the residential builder's association for their generous gifts and for their patience in

installing numerous charming and highly missmapen that were gleefully squished flat in our community workshop. i also like to thank jeff king and company for their generosity. we're the ben fish rather's of this firm's living the battle cry, think globally and act locally. and finally, i like to thank dr. barbara schultz, simply put, we could not have ren sated the play area without her support. so on behalf of my two girls and the numerous children who will enjoy this play area, thank you. >> thank you. thank you very much for your leadership. working closely with the neighborhood. there's two individuals i want to acknowledge and then we're going to get started. commissioner al harris i see in the audience, would you wave? thank you for your support. now, and an unsung hero with the

library system that does tremendous work but sometimes never gets acknowledged, jill bourn and thank you for all of the work you do. great work. all right. are we ready to go into the library? absolutely. thank you for your patience. our tradition with all of the branch improvement programs when we do a ribbon cutting is to do the cutting and then the lion dancers from the joe ming athletic association will lead the way to do a traditional chinese blessing of the building. so we ask for your patience and then as soon as we walk through the first floor, we'll open the doors for the community. thank you for your patience and thank you for being here. and enjoy your richmond. senator milton marks library.

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