The October 17, 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake shook the City and SFAI---water spilled out of the pond and the big globe lights in the Library’s Reading Room swung like a pendulum wave toy.  While most libraries in SF had their shelves buckle and books thrown onto their floors, the SFAI’s stacks held firm, braced by being on the solid rock of Russian Hill and cobbled together in their unique fashion with 2x4s constructed by students from the School’s woodshop.  Only one book fell that had been propped up on top of the card catalog—prominently displayed as it had just been received from the Centre Pompidou.  Its title:  Magiciens de la Terre

With permission, SFAA is re-posting the emails Jeff Gunderson Librarian/Archivist Anne Bremer Memorial Library has been sending out since March 2020. Please enjoy this magnificent archive.