Public Libraries in San Francisco County, California

📚 County library guide

Public Libraries in San Francisco County, California

San Francisco County, California is served by San Francisco Public Library — a 28-location consolidated city-county system founded in 1879, anchored by a LEED-certified Main Library in the Civic Center.

📚 About San Francisco Public Library

San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) is the public library system for the City and County of San Francisco — a consolidated municipality where one system covers the entire county. Founded in 1879, SFPL operates 28 locations: the Main Library on Larkin Street plus 27 neighborhood branches. The current Main Library opened in 1996 as a LEED-certified civic landmark anchoring the Civic Center. SFPL circulates millions of items annually and offers collections in more than 20 languages reflecting the city’s diverse communities.

The system’s history runs deep: the Mission Branch, opened in 1915, was the first Carnegie-funded branch in San Francisco, and the North Beach Branch (2014, LEED Gold) anchors a neighborhood closely tied to the Beat Generation. The Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial Branch honors San Francisco’s civil-rights legacy.

📱 Free digital access with your card

A free San Francisco Public Library card unlocks ebooks and audiobooks through Libby (the Califa Group’s Link+ digital collection), no-waitlist titles on hoopla, and streaming documentaries on Kanopy. California residents also benefit from statewide databases through the California State Library, accessible with your card from home.

San Francisco County library branches — 11 verified

Each branch below is verified on its official page with address, hours and services. Browse the full California directory for more.

❓ Frequently asked questions