San Francisco Center for the Book

Since discovering this place in January, I can’t get enough! Whether a seasoned book artist or a paper novice, you’ll find the SFBC’s exhibits, classes and programming engaging and rewarding. The friendly staff creates a warm environment, ripe for sharing book arts experience, passion and knowledge. SFBC provides volunteers with a number of ways of getting involved ranging from administrative tasks to hands on bookbinding. I was recently involved in SFBC’s recent Imprint project. Imprint is the publishing arm of SFBC that enables established artists to produce editions of books with the Center’s resources. This project presents a wonderful opportunity to learn about book arts while logging volunteer time. Along with several other volunteers, I helped collate and bind the edition of (I think) 75 books. While I’m well versed in printmaking, I wasn’t familiar with bookbinding. The staff and fellow volunteers were extremely helpful, patiently guiding me through the process and suggesting improvements. I exited feeling confident in my newly acquired skills and rewarded that my time went towards an artist’s project. A month later when I came back to the book release party, those involved with the project were sure to express their appreciation for my time. SFBC also allows volunteers to use their hours of service in exchange for class fees. This is a truly huge service --printing can be prohibitively expensive, but SFBC has found a way to fuel the creativity of those willing to dedicate their time. I believe the current exchange is 25 hours of service for one day of class, a value of about $100 - $140. Not only does this system demonstrate SFBC’s appreciation of its volunteers but it also demonstrates SFBC’s dedication to an educated volunteer force. An added bonus: hours logged while participating in the Imprint project count for double! While overall my experience has been overwhelmingly positive, I’ve run into difficulties coordinating volunteer opportunities with staff members via phone and email. After scheduling my orientation by phone, I arrived at the appointed time to find the staff in a meeting and had to wait a half hour. Additionally, two of my emails inquiring about opportunities never received replies. I’ve found the most effective way to communicate is in-person at the center, where I always find the staff genuinely excited about and appreciative for my involvement. I’ve volunteered with a number of arts organizations and too often I’ve found staff impersonal and indifferent about my qualifications and my willingness to give my time. SFBC couldn’t be more the opposite! SFBC truly provides a place to come together to learn, create, teach, laugh and share a love for books and paper arts!