SF Tech Week: Free workshops at libraries

San Francisco Public Library launched SF Tech Week on May 9, a citywide run of free workshops, tutorials, presentations and tech-support sessions scheduled through May 16. The library said the annual program includes more than 30 events at library branches, partner sites and online. (sfpl.org) Topics range from Microsoft Excel and cybersecurity to digital art, accessible social media and one-on-one tech help. The event is aimed at residents across age groups and experience levels, with some programming offered in Spanish, Chinese and Filipino. ### Where is SF Tech Week happening, and who is running it? San Francisco Public Library is presenting the program with a coalition of Bay Area groups that includes Tech Exchange, Dev/Mission, Community Living Campaign, digitalLift, Felton Institute, Curry Senior Center and SF Tech Council, according to the library's announcement. (sfpl.org) The library said events are taking place at multiple library and partner locations across San Francisco as well as online. The Main Library at 100 Larkin St. is one of the central sites. SFPL's Tech Week page says questions about registration can be directed to the Bridge at Main, and accommodation requests such as American Sign Language support can be made through the library's accessibility office. (sfpl.org) ### What kinds of classes and help are being offered? SFPL said this year's schedule includes accessibility-focused workshops, digital basics, creative technology sessions and drop-in support. The library highlighted workshops on inclusive social media, customizing accessible settings on public computers, virtual Tagalog learning, Excel basics, cybersecurity, photograph preservation, digital art for beginners, home improvement with artificial intelligence and a hands-on DJ lesson. (sfpl.org) Thursday's public events listing showed Tech Week sessions including "Home Improvement with AI" from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Main Library and "Tech Support" from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the same location. (sfpl.org) Wednesday's listing on the Tech Week page included "Accessible Social Media: An Inclusive Approach," a workshop on digital communication, a Cantonese session on cybersecurity and AI scams, and a photograph-scanning tutorial in English and Chinese. ### Who is the library trying to reach? Maricela Leon-Barrera, SFPL's digital equity manager, said the program is intended for "individuals of all ages and experience levels." In the library's release, she said technology is part of everyday life and that using it confidently requires knowledge, familiarity and comfort. (sfpl.org) The library said Tech Week is designed to help "close the digital divide" and make technology more accessible in daily life. That language matches broader city digital-equity work that San Francisco says has focused on helping residents get online, build digital skills and access tech support since 2018. (sfpl.org) ### How does this fit into San Francisco's broader digital-equity effort? San Francisco's digital-equity program, run through the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development, says it began in 2018 and is expected to end in 2026. The city says that effort connected more than 210 affordable housing properties, covered more than 20,000 units with free in-unit internet through Fiber to Housing, refurbished 1,954 devices for community use and invested more than $3.6 million in nonprofit-led digital access projects. (sfpl.org) SFPL appears repeatedly in that citywide work. The digital-equity page says the library partnered in the Digital Connections Initiative and in artificial-intelligence programming for small businesses at the Main Library. (sfpl.org) ### What should residents know before going? All programs are free, according to SFPL's Tech Week page. The library says residents can download or print a 2026 brochure, check the online schedule for specific times and locations, or call the Bridge at Main for help with registration. May 16 is the last scheduled day of SF Tech Week, and SFPL says the full program schedule remains available on its Tech Week page and through its event listings. (sf.gov) The library's release also says print brochures are available at locations for people who want an offline copy of the schedule. (sfpl.org) (sfpl.org)