The Deaf Services Center History
In 1977, the San Francisco Public Library and the
Oakland Public Library jointly initiated services
for Deaf and hard of hearing people through a Library
Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant.
When the funding ended, the San Francisco Public
Library continued its commitment to develop the Deaf
Services Program and collection. Deaf San Francisco
Bay Area community members formed an advisory committee
with the support from the National Endowment for
the Humanities.
The results of their work are twofold.
First, they created their vision of the "Ideal
Deaf Library".
Second, they assisted with the planning and development
of American Culture: the Deaf Perspective,
an award-winning video series.
The Communications Center at the Presidio Branch was the first home for Deaf Services. In 1983, it moved to
the Old Main Library. In 1990, a series of public meetings was held to help staff and architects to expand and
update the original Advisory Committee's vision of the "Ideal Deaf Library". In 1996, Deaf Services
moved into the New Main Library where the center represents the culmination of this vision.
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