Share your story

  • "I believe libraries help Hayward thrive"
  • "I believe in lifelong learning for people of all ages"
  • "I want to give back to my community"

Why are you a Friend of Hayward Library? Sharing your personal story is a powerful way to show your support. Even a sentence or two makes a world of difference.

Please take a moment to share your story here:

Who's sharing

151 stories

Share your story!


Showing 165 stories

  • Sara Tepetl
    shared 2018-05-12 07:34:52 -0700
  • Sarah Diamond
    shared 2018-05-12 07:03:02 -0700
  • April Domingo
    shared 2018-05-07 18:44:35 -0700
    I’m a Friend of Hayward Library because Hayward is the city I grew up in. I remember as a little girl I spent hours weekly at the library being engrossed in various books. I appreciate libraries and those who contribute to the learning of others! Reading has helped me thrive academically, professionally, and spiritually. Reading continues to be very pivotal in my personal development. I want to also gift my community the opportunity to bless others with the gift of lifelong learning! Thank you!
  • Heidi Stenner
    shared 2018-05-06 21:15:16 -0700
    Hayward deserves a first class library!
  • Clara DiBona
    shared 2018-05-02 14:56:25 -0700
    I am a friend of the library because I enjoy the adventures that books bring, and I like to turn the pages of a real book.
  • Linda Carroll
    shared 2018-05-01 20:58:01 -0700
    I am a friend of the library because I love all of the adventures and discoveries you can make there.
  • Lois Pickett
    shared 2018-05-01 15:14:42 -0700
  • Mary Dang
    shared 2018-04-30 21:25:44 -0700
    I’m a friend of the library because I love bringing my kids here to pull them away from all the electronics, to be able to touch, open and read a book. They enjoy it and I enjoy bringing them.
  • Suzanne Barba
    shared 2018-04-30 08:01:32 -0700
  • Andrea Peixoto
    shared 2018-04-30 07:31:12 -0700
    I’m a Friend of the Hayward Library because books allow you to travel all over the world and also to meet some very interesting people along the way.
  • Rich Berkowitz
    shared 2018-04-29 19:55:24 -0700
    we think public librarys are an important part of our city, we use it all the time and are now lucky too have a new one for the 21st century
  • Grace Polichar
    shared 2018-04-29 17:20:08 -0700
    From a low income family, the library was our vacations. Every other Wednesday after dinner we would go to the library. All of us had a library card, even little 4 yrs me! Generally, the first thing I like to do when I move, is get a library card… which I did in Hayward about 30 years ago… I’m so excited about the opening of the new library…
  • Perrin Rynning
    shared 2018-04-29 16:14:44 -0700
    Libraries remain one of the most important aspects of any town… any civilization. A clean, well-lighted place for reading, for learning to read, and other activities to broaden the mind presents opportunities for all citizens to improve their communities at every level.
  • Lucy Aguilar-Navarro
    shared 2018-04-12 19:16:23 -0700
    Growing up in Hayward I visited the library often. Even though I am sad to see the old library go, I am optimistic that the library will continue to be a resource to people of all ages, especially children.
  • Maria Nadauld
    shared 2018-04-10 16:23:26 -0700
    I’ve been a patron of the Hayward Library (and the bookmobile) since first grade – 1951. Why stop now?
  • LoBirtha Melton
    shared 2018-04-09 12:53:19 -0700
    I’m a friend of the Hayward Library because of it’s wonderful children and Literacy programs.
  • Fred Gertler
    shared 2018-04-08 20:44:23 -0700
    My late wife was passionate about libraries. And my mom and I and my partner share her belief that a public library contributes significantly to the public good by providing safe space for exploration, reflection, and discussion; and fun, too.
  • Elaine Patience
    shared 2018-04-07 19:54:51 -0700
  • Natalie Juntz
    shared 2018-04-07 12:02:18 -0700
    I still say there is nothing like holding a real book in your hands.
  • Stacy Pua
    shared 2018-04-07 10:33:57 -0700
    I love the library and the community of hayward!
  • Ralph Hardy
    posted about this on Facebook 2018-04-07 09:56:52 -0700
    I just shared my story, "Why I'm a Friend of the Library" on the Haywardfriends.org website. Check it out!
  • Ralph Hardy
    shared 2018-04-07 09:55:33 -0700
    Our day program,Lifespring for developmentally disable located here in Hayward is excited to visit the new library.
  • Kate Jordahl
    shared 2018-04-07 08:41:49 -0700
    I’m a friend of the Hayward Library because this library is a place of imagination, hope, and joy! I can find information…I can also find inspiration! Wandering among the books leads to discovery every time!
  • Graciela Tiscareño-Sato
    posted about this on Facebook 2018-03-29 09:48:11 -0700
    I just shared my story, "Why I'm a Friend of the Library" on the Haywardfriends.org website. Check it out!
  • Graciela Tiscareño-Sato
    @RaisingMilagro tweeted link to this page. 2018-03-29 09:48:06 -0700
    I just shared my story, "Why I'm a Friend of the Library" on the Haywardfriends.org website. Check it out! https://www.haywardfriends.org/testimonials?recruiter_id=29339
  • Albert Popp
    shared 2018-03-28 20:21:19 -0700
    No real story other than when I was 9 years old I failed to return a book and want to clear my conscience.
  • Chloe Sumera
    shared 2018-03-26 11:22:34 -0700
    Our family is never not learning!
  • Kristin Rodriguez
    shared 2018-03-25 16:06:59 -0700
    In the children’s room, my two little ones learned to love the smell of books and how to ask an adult for help. The community classes offered us insights on raising chickens and helped us connect with others in unique ways. Thank you for making our lives more enriched!
  • Olga Tapia
    shared via 2018-03-23 16:22:09 -0700
    This is probably not what you were expecting, but the Hayward Public Library provided my sex education when I was a young girl in 1960. My mother told me absolutely nothing about sex. Fortunately, the library had a number of books about sex education for young readers. What was written was limited by today’s standards, but back then, it was very helpful to me.
  • Gabriela Marin
    shared 2018-03-21 23:07:09 -0700
    We discovered all Hayward library has to offer when my daughter was a baby. My kids have grown up participating in classes and visiting the kids area. Thank you for all you do