San Francisco Public Library (2024)

FAQs

Is the San Francisco Public Library free? ›

Residents of California may receive a free library card. A San Francisco Public Library card opens the door to a world of information and entertainment.

Visitors from outside of CA with a valid photo ID, must provide a temporary San Francisco address and pay a $10 fee (card is valid for 3 months and may be renewed with an additional fee).

New Main Library

The building was completed in 1995 and opened a year later on April 18, 1996. The old main library, which was damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, was rebuilt as the new Asian Art Museum. The Piazzoni murals moved to the de Young Museum in 1999.

Adults: Current ID and proof of residential address in California are required. Minors 15-17: School ID plus parent or guardian signature is required. Minors 0-14: Both minor and parent/legal guardian must be present at the time of application.

Most types of Library Cards are valid for 4 years. You can renew your expired account a few different ways: 1. By email to info@sfpl.org.

Cards are free. They are available to California residents only. Children under the age of 13 need to visit the library with a guardian to register for a card.

Yes, you'll need a library card for each library you want to borrow from. You can add multiple libraries to Libby, and you can even add multiple cards for each library. Each library has their own guidelines for getting a card.

Out of State Residents: Residents who do not live in California are required to pay for an out-of-state card unless they can show proof of a permanent second home (not business) in California. Out of state visitors may purchase a library card for $10. This card must be renewed every year.

Eating food and consuming beverages from an open container is prohibited, except in designated areas. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Soliciting money, donations or signatures. Media or commercial photography or filming, without prior permission from Library Administration.

What is the oldest library in San Francisco? ›

The doors of San Francisco's first public library swung open on June 7, 1879 in Pacific Hall, a rented space housing a collection of 6,000 books in a Bush Street office building in the Financial District.

Located between downtown and Lake Merritt, Oakland's Main Library is one of the largest public libraries in the Bay Area. The Main Library has over 350,000 books, hundreds of current and historic magazines and newspapers, a major…

Having a library card can get you tickets for museums, score you free beach parking, outfit you with hiking essentials and grant you access to everything from tech to tools to TV shows.

Utility Bill (must have your name on it) Property Tax Statement (must have your full legal name on it) Bank Account Statement (must have your name on it) Other type of recurring commercial bill received within the past 90 days (must have your name on it)

Welcome! California residents can get a digital library card by registering online. A digital library card provides immediate, free access to our online databases and downloadable e-content. Access research and homework resources and download or stream e-books, audiobooks, movies, magazines, music and more!

Open Library is free and open to anyone. Some features require that you have an Open Library account. You can borrow books from the Internet Archive collections. Open Library is a community initiative to build a robust, universal book catalog.

Get the Libby by OverDrive app for Android, iOS or Kindle Fire. You may also access Libby in a web browser at sfpl.overdrive.com, libbyapp.com or through the SFPL Catalog (BiblioCommons). Sign in with your 14-digit library card number (no dashes or spaces) and PIN/password.

The New York Public Library (NYPL) has 90 locations throughout Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island. The NYPL provides residents with free and open access to its physical and electronic collections and information, as well as to its services for people of all ages.

The San Francisco Public Library

Drop off your used books at The San Francisco Public Library at 1630 17th Street. Drop off hours are Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. & Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Donations are tax-deductible, and resold at the public library.