Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Branch
🏢 San Francisco Public Library · Noe Valley, San Francisco, California
Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Branch
Named for the community advocate who twice saved it from closure, the Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Branch is a living monument to neighborhood organizing — a 1916 Carnegie building lovingly restored on Jersey Street, its shelves still stocked with the Sally Brunn Collection of books on activism and social causes, each marked with a bookplate designed by artist Ruth Asawa.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 11am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 12pm–8pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | 1pm–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–6pm |
| Sunday | 1pm–5pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 451 Jersey Street, San Francisco, CA 94114
Phone: (415) 355-5707
Website: sfpl.org
Plus Code: 849VQH27+3X (San Francisco, CA)
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📖 About Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Branch
The Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Branch has served San Francisco's sunny Victorian enclave since 1916, when it opened as the seventh branch in the SFPL system — one of San Francisco's original seven Carnegie-funded libraries. The branch at 451 Jersey Street was built for $45,499 (including furnishings) using a grant from Andrew Carnegie and designed by architect John Reid Jr. in a Spanish-style brick-and-terracotta facade. Designated among San Francisco's architecturally significant buildings, the branch underwent a comprehensive $4.1 million renovation by Carey & Co. completed March 8, 2008, earning the Governor's Historic Preservation Award for adding ADA accessibility, a new elevator, seismic upgrades, energy-efficient lighting, and low-water landscaping — all while preserving the historic Carnegie character. The branch owes its current name to Sally Brunn, a Noe Valley resident who moved to Hoffman Avenue in the 1960s, became deeply involved in neighborhood organizations, and led successful campaigns in both 1980 and 1988 that prevented the city from closing or repurposing the branch as a storage facility. After her death from cancer in 1991, the branch was officially renamed the Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Branch in 1992. The Friends of the San Francisco Public Library established a $17,000 memorial book fund in her name, creating the Sally Brunn Collection — books on activism, local politics, and social causes — each marked with a bookplate designed by artist Ruth Asawa. Staff speak English, Korean, Spanish, Italian, and Cantonese/Mandarin based on availability.
⭐ What makes this library special
- 1916 Carnegie branch — one of San Francisco's original seven Carnegie libraries, now listed among the city's architecturally significant buildings
- Named for Sally Brunn (d. 1991), who led successful campaigns in 1980 and 1988 to prevent the branch from closing or being repurposed as a storage facility
- 2008 renovation by Carey & Co. earned the Governor's Historic Preservation Award while adding ADA access, new elevator, and green features
- Sally Brunn Collection — books on activism, local politics, and social causes — each marked with bookplates designed by artist Ruth Asawa
- Staff speak English, Korean, Spanish, Italian, and Cantonese/Mandarin, reflecting Noe Valley's diverse community
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
SFPL cardholders can stream, borrow, and research free through San Francisco's shared digital collections:
📚 Services
- Sally Brunn Collection: books on activism, local politics, and social causes (Ruth Asawa bookplates)
- Fiction, nonfiction, reference, audiobooks, CDs, and DVDs
- Free recovery and 12-step program books
- Interlibrary Loan via Link+ (60+ California and Nevada libraries)
- Public computers and free Wi-Fi
- Community room
- Free library cards for all San Francisco residents
- Multilingual staff (English, Korean, Spanish, Italian, Cantonese/Mandarin — based on availability)
🎸 Programs
- Storytime for Families — early literacy storytimes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers
- Pajama Storytime — evening storytime for young children and families
- Noe Valley Book Club — monthly adult book group
- Noe Valley Knitting Circle — drop-in knitting, typically first Saturday of the month
- Adult Crafts — drop-in crafting sessions
- Adult Films — alternating classic and new-release screenings
- eReader & Online Resources workshops
📍 Nearby SFPL Branches in San Francisco
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in San Francisco · Browse all California libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Sally Brunn, and why is the library named after her?
Sally Brunn was a Noe Valley resident who moved to Hoffman Avenue in the 1960s and became a dedicated library advocate. She led successful community campaigns in 1980 and 1988 that prevented the city from closing or repurposing the branch as a storage facility. After her death from cancer in 1991, the branch was officially renamed the Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Branch in 1992. The Friends of the San Francisco Public Library established a $17,000 memorial book fund creating the Sally Brunn Collection — books on activism and local politics — each marked with a bookplate designed by artist Ruth Asawa.
Is this the original 1916 Carnegie building?
Yes. The branch at 451 Jersey Street is one of San Francisco's original Carnegie-funded libraries, completed September 17, 1916, at a cost of $45,499 using a grant from Andrew Carnegie. Designed by architect John Reid Jr. with a Spanish-style brick-and-terracotta facade, it is listed among San Francisco's architecturally significant buildings. A comprehensive renovation by Carey & Co., completed March 8, 2008, earned the Governor's Historic Preservation Award while adding ADA access, a new elevator, and seismic upgrades.
What children's programs are offered at this branch?
The branch offers Storytime for Families — early literacy storytimes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers — as well as special Pajama Storytime evenings for young children. Children can access ebooks and audiobooks free on Libby and hoopla with an SFPL card. Check the branch calendar at sfpl.org/locations/noe-valley for current session dates and times.
Does the Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Branch have staff who speak languages other than English?
Yes. Staff who speak Korean, Spanish, Italian, and Cantonese or Mandarin Chinese assist patrons based on availability — an unusually broad range of languages that reflects the diversity of Noe Valley's residential community. The branch also holds free library cards for all San Francisco residents, with no proof of address required (a California-issued ID is sufficient for most applicants).
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