A Meaningful Exchange on Literacy

On March 28th, the Evergreen Education Foundation (EEF) welcomed Professor Zizhou Wang of the Department of Information Management at Peking University to the San Francisco Public Library. His visit, made possible by former EEF Chairman and ex-SF Public Library Commissioner Mr. John Lee, sparked a valuable discussion on education and literacy.

Exploring Innovative Library Spaces

Professor Wang, EEF President Dr. Winnie Wong, along with EEF Secretary Dr. Jo Bell Whitlatch, and Interim Main Library Manager Ms. Naomi Jelks toured key spaces in the library, including:

The Mix – A teen-designed space for ages 12-18, where youth explore digital media, technology, and creative projects.

The Chinese Center – Part of the International Center, featuring books in both English and Chinese about China, Chinese culture, and the Chinese American experience.

The Children’s Center – A space designed to inspire a love for reading with interactive activities, programs, and resources for kids, parents, and educators.

Professor Wang’s Literacy Initiative

Professor Wang shared insights about his Household Small Hands-On Project Site, which helps “left-behind” children in rural China gain access to books and learning resources. The project provides:

Hands-On Learning – STEM projects, arts and crafts, and cultural heritage workshops.

Household Libraries – Bookshelves stocked with reading materials in selected rural homes.

Reading Programs – Activities like book-sharing, mentorship, and parent-child reading sessions.

A Longstanding Partnership in Education

The Evergreen Education Foundation and the San Francisco Public Library share a long friendship rooted in a shared commitment to literacy and learning. Former SFPL City Librarian Luis Herrera was a speaker at two of EEF’s international ITIE conferences:

2016 – Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Wuhan: Makerspaces: Creativity in the Library

2012 – Hangzhou, Zhejiang: Libraries as Community Education Centers

A Shared Commitment to Education

This visit was an opportunity to exchange ideas on how libraries and community-driven programs can transform literacy. Both EEF and SF Public Library share a common goal—ensuring young learners, whether in San Francisco or rural China, have access to knowledge and opportunities.