“Tech Week is a community-centered, multi-agency collaboration led by the San Francisco Public Library to help residents learn needed technology skills to build confidence and competency as they engage with technology every day.”
That vision, shared by Maricela Leon-Barrera, Digital Equity Manager at the San Francisco Public Library, captures the spirit of Tech Week 2026. More than a series of technology classes, Tech Week is a collaborative effort that brings together libraries, community organizations, and volunteers to ensure every San Franciscan has the opportunity to build the digital skills needed to thrive in today’s digital world.
Since its beginnings in 2017 as Digital Inclusion Week, the event has grown into one of San Francisco’s premier digital equity initiatives. Held May 9-16, 2026, Tech Week transformed library branches across the city into welcoming spaces where residents could explore new technologies, receive one-on-one support, and connect with trusted organizations dedicated to digital inclusion.
Sixteen community organizations partnered with SFPL to deliver hands-on workshops covering topics such as artificial intelligence, smartphone skills, online safety, accessibility, digital creativity, and maker technologies. This year’s celebration featured 40 programs, 73 hours of instruction, and reached 791 participants across nine library locations.
The impact extended well beyond the classroom. More than 70 residents received personalized technology support, 40 refurbished Chromebooks were distributed to community members, and multilingual programming, including sessions in Cantonese and Spanish, helped ensure learning opportunities were accessible to San Francisco’s diverse communities.
Rafael teaching a workshop “Intro to Generative AI” in Spanish at the SF Main Library
Participant feedback reflected the success of the week. Nearly every survey respondent reported learning something new, and the overwhelming majority said they would recommend Tech Week to others, praising instructors for creating welcoming and supportive learning environments.
Community partnerships are at the heart of Tech Week’s success. Organizations including digitalLIFT, Community Living Campaign, Tech Exchange, Curry Senior Center, Self-Help for the Elderly, Fingersnaps Media, the Institute of Responsible AI Robotics, and many others worked alongside SFPL to expand the library’s reach and offer engaging, practical learning experiences. One of the event’s most popular sessions was a bilingual Photowalk at the San Francisco Botanical Garden, which demonstrated how technology education can foster creativity, exploration, and community connection.
One of the most meaningful outcomes of this year’s Tech Week has been its lasting impact on the Excelsior community. What was originally planned as a one-time multilingual tech support session during Tech Week revealed a significant unmet need for in-person technology assistance at the Excelsior Branch Library.
On weekends, library staff are often stretched thin and unable to provide technology support in the many languages spoken by neighborhood residents. Seeing both the demand and the opportunity to better serve the community, the San Francisco Public Library and digitalLIFT transformed the pilot into an ongoing service.
Since Tech Week concluded in May, digitalLIFT has hosted a multilingual drop-in tech support clinic on the third Sunday of every month at the Excelsior Branch Library. Community members can receive free, one-on-one assistance in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Tagalog, making technology support more accessible to one of San Francisco’s most linguistically diverse neighborhoods.
This ongoing collaboration demonstrates the true value of partnership. Tech Week not only connected residents with technology and trusted resources, but it also sparked a sustainable solution that continues to meet a critical community need long after the event ended.
As planning begins for Tech Week 2027, participant feedback continues to shape future programming, with growing interest in topics such as artificial intelligence, software applications, cybersecurity, and foundational computer skills.
Tech Week is an inspiring example of what is possible when libraries and community partners work together. By combining trusted community spaces, innovative programming, and a shared commitment to digital equity, the San Francisco Public Library and its partners are helping residents build the confidence and competence to fully participate in today’s digital world.
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