Richmond/Senator Milton Marks Branch Library
🏢 San Francisco Public Library · San Francisco, California
Richmond/Senator Milton Marks Branch Library
Serving the heart of San Francisco's Richmond District at the corner of 9th Avenue and Clement Street, this branch carries one of the system's largest multilingual collections — particularly strong in Russian and Chinese — and stays open until 8 p.m. three evenings a week.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–8pm |
| Thursday | 10am–8pm |
| Friday | 1pm–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–6pm |
| Sunday | 1pm–5pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 351 9th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94118
Phone: (415) 355-5600
Website: sfpl.org
Plus Code: 849VQGJJ+QX (San Francisco, CA)
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📖 About Richmond/Senator Milton Marks Branch Library
The Richmond Branch of the San Francisco Public Library has served the Inner Richmond neighborhood for nearly a century, established in 1932 and housed in a building designed by city architect John Reid Jr. on the site of the former Lafayette School. The branch is named in honor of Milton Marks Jr. (1920–1998), a San Francisco native and Stanford graduate who served 38 years in the California State Legislature — first in the Assembly (1959–1966) and then in the State Senate (1967–1996) — becoming one of the longest-serving San Francisco legislators of the twentieth century. The branch reflects the Richmond District's extraordinary diversity: staff read in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese, and the collection holds substantial materials in Russian, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Korean, Vietnamese, French, German, Italian, and Japanese. A dedicated Teen Services Librarian and study rooms make this a popular after-school destination.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Named for Senator Milton Marks Jr. (1920–1998), a 38-year California State Legislature veteran and long-time Richmond District champion
- One of SFPL's strongest multilingual collections, with extensive Russian and Chinese holdings reflecting the Richmond District's diverse community
- Staff fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese
- Dedicated Teen Services Librarian and reservable study rooms for focused work
- Open until 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday for students and commuters
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
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📚 Services
- Multilingual collections: Russian, Chinese (Mandarin/Cantonese), Korean, Vietnamese, French, German, Italian, Japanese
- Teen Services Librarian and dedicated young adult collection
- Reservable study rooms for individuals and small groups
- Public computers, printing, scanning and free Wi-Fi
- Interlibrary loan through the SFPL system
- Reference and reader's advisory in multiple languages
- Recovery and 12-step program book collection
- Discover & Go passes for Bay Area museums and attractions
🎸 Programs
- Teen programs and youth storytimes
- Adult literacy and English-language learning support
- Community events and author talks
- Summer reading for all ages
- Book clubs and reading groups
📍 Nearby Libraries in San Francisco
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in San Francisco · Browse all California libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Richmond Branch named after Senator Milton Marks?
Milton Marks Jr. (1920–1998) was a San Francisco native who represented the Richmond District and greater San Francisco in the California State Legislature for 38 years — first as an Assemblymember (1959–1966), then as a State Senator (1967–1996). The branch was named in his honor to recognize his decades of public service to the community he represented.
What languages are available in the Richmond Branch collection?
The Richmond Branch maintains one of SFPL's strongest multilingual collections, with large holdings in Russian and Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), and smaller collections in Korean, Vietnamese, French, German, Italian, and Japanese. Multilingual children's materials are also available. Staff speak English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Are study rooms available, and do I need to book ahead?
Yes, the Richmond Branch has reservable study rooms. You can book them online through the SFPL website or ask at the reference desk. Rooms are popular on school afternoons and evenings, so advance booking is recommended.
What are the branch's evening and weekend hours?
The branch is open Monday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Friday 1–6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and Sunday 1–5 p.m. The extended Tuesday–Thursday evenings are especially popular with students and commuters.
📚 This library has study rooms. See how library study rooms work — booking, time limits and quiet vs group rooms — and find other libraries with study rooms libraries with study rooms by state.
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