A visit to the pediatrician often means so much more than vaccines and check-ups at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (ZSFG). This summer, families from ZSFG’s Children’s Health Center will have the chance to sign up for their first library card or bring home books for the whole family after their appointment.
Dr. Yasi Vafai and Dr. Neeti Doshi have been leading a new effort to bring library resources directly to patients and families. The clinic is partnering with the San Francisco Public Library to bring a Bookmobile to campus, expanding access to community resources that support language development, school readiness, and lifelong wellbeing.
Drawing from Dr. Vafai’s own childhood experience discovering English through picture books borrowed by her mom, this project will help shape countless lives.
“Libraries shaped my childhood, so helping bring the Bookmobile to our patients feels like coming full circle,” Dr. Vafai shares, “Creating a deeper partnership with SFPL felt like a no-brainer to promote early literacy and expand access to library resources for our patients.”
“By strengthening the connection between healthcare and the public library, we hope to make these resources more accessible and help foster a culture where reading is joyful, valued, and available to everyone." Dr. Doshi
This collaboration deepens ZSFG’s work with City partners by improving access to holistic care. The Bookmobile will be stopping by the ZSFG campus every Friday through July, from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m., providing the opportunity to check out books, sign up for a library card, or simply enjoy browsing.