The San Francisco Public Library operates twenty-seven (27) branch libraries spread geographically throughout the City.

The San Francisco Public Library was organized in 1879 and very quickly began to expand. The first three (3) branches opened in 1888-89, with two (2) more branches opening in 1921. By 1925, the Library operated nine (9) branches and a main library. Branch library construction has tended to fall within three historical periods, the Carnegie Era (Andrew J. Carnegie Foundation), WPA (Work Projects Administration) and modern, the latter buildings were constructed during the late 50’s and early 60’s. . The new Ocean View Branch Library, which opened in June 2000, was the first new branch library construction in over thirty (30) years.

In the book A Free Library in This City, author Peter Booth Wiley provides a detailed history of the development and growth of the San Francisco Public Library. Branch libraries have been a part of the fabric of the communities in which they are located from their inception. In addition to bringing much needed library service to the city’s far-reaching neighborhoods they also serve as community centers and in some cases came to be part of a larger complex of community buildings.

In 1988, voters approved a Library Bond Program to construct a new Main Library and to renovate branch libraries. From 1990 to 1998, the renovations of five (5) branches were completed: Mission, Park, Presidio, Sunset and Chinatown, which also expanded. Proposition E was passed by the voters in 1994 to increase library hours and ensure a stable funding source for library operations.

In November 2000, San Francisco voters passed the Branch Library Improvement Program (BLIP), totaling $106 million. This bond program provides funds for the renovation of nineteen (19) branches, replacement of four (4) leased spaces by City-owned facilities and the construction of a new branch (number 27) in the emerging Mission Bay neighborhood. Updated information on the revitalization of the branch libraries is available through the Branch Library Improvement Program.

The Branch Library Names & Addresses :

Anza
550 37th Ave (near Anza)
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 355-5717

Bayview/Anna E. Waden
5075 3rd Street (at Revere)
San Francisco, CA 94124
(415) 355-5757

Bernal Heights
500 Cortland Street (near Moultrie)
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 355-2810

Chinatown
1135 Powell Street (near Jackson)
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 355-2888

Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk
1 José Sarria Court (16th Street near Market)
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 355-5616

Excelsior
4400 Mission Street (at Cotter)
San Francisco, CA 94112
(415) 355-2868

Glen Park
2825 Diamond Street (near Bosworth)
San Francisco, CA 94131
(415) 355-2858

Golden Gate Valley
1801 Green Street (at Octavia)
San Francisco, CA 94124
(415) 355-5666

Ingleside
1649 Ocean Avenue (at Faxon)
San Francisco, CA 94112
(415) 355-2898

Marina
1890 Chestnut Street (near Webster)
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 355-2823

Merced
155 Winston Drive (at 19th Avenue)
San Francisco, CA 94132
(415) 355-2825

Mission
300 Bartlett Street (at 24th Street)
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 355-2800

Mission Bay
960 4th Street (at Berry)
San Francisco, CA 94158
(415) 355-2838

Noe Valley/ Sally Brunn
451 Jersey Street (near Castro)
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 355-5707

North Beach
2000 Mason Street (at Columbus)
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 355-5626

Ocean View
345 Randolph Street (at Ramsell)
San Francisco, CA 94132
(415) 355-5615

Ortega
3223 Ortega Street (at 39th Avenue)
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 504-6053

Park
1833 Page Street (near Cole)
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 355-5656

Parkside
1200 Taraval Street (at 22nd Avenue)
San Francisco, CA 94116
(415) 355-5770

Portola
380 Bacon Street (at Goettingen)
San Francisco, CA 94134
(415) 355-5660

Potrero
1616 20th Street (near Connecticut)
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 355-2822

Presidio
3150 Sacramento Street (near Baker)
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 355-2880

International Languages Collection
(In Presidio Branch, Lower Level)
(415) 355-2859

Richmond/Senator Milton Marks
351 9th Avenue (near Clement)
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 355-5600

Sunset
1305 18th Avenue (at Irving)
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 355-2808

Visitacion Valley
45 Leland Avenue (near Bayshore)
San Francisco, CA 94134
(415) 355-2848

West Portal
190 Lenox Way (at Ulloa)
San Francisco, CA 94127
(415) 355-2886

Western Addition
1550 Scott Street (at Geary)
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 355-5727