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December 2023 by Elma C
Tonight’s event at the SFPL was John King’s “Portal: San Francisco's Ferry Building and the Reinvention of American Cities” book discussion and Q&A with Jasper Rubin. This event (and many others) serve as a proof that SFPL is a window to San Francisco’s soul.From the moment I entered the library, there was an air of excitement and anticipation. John King's presentation was engaging and captivating. He effortlessly captivated the audience with his well researched San Francisco stories. His passion for history was evident in every word he spoke, and it was truly inspiring to hear him and Jasper Rubin share facts most of us in the audience were probably not familiar with.The event also included a Q&A session, allowing the audience to interact with John King directly. One aspect that stood out during the event was the sense of community. It just seemed to me that SFPL attracts genuine San Francisco nerds who can never get enough of knowledge and facts. Most of us ended up with a free copy of the book and an important piece of San Francisco history written by one of the most esteemed SF Chronicle writers and 2-time Pulitzer Prize nominee.I love the unique gifts that SFPL offers such as this one!
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November 2023 by Elizabeth
Largest library in the area, the architecture from the outside is a tad ugly in prison like but from the inside, it’s quite nice. There are multiple floors I think seven or eight which means plenty of book options-and there is a small museum at the top floor, which is somewhat of an adventure to get to. Fortunately, there are a lot of homeless people in fights within the library in the lower floors, so definitely feels a little bit unsafe and I wouldn’t relax unless I got a secluded study room.
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November 2023 by Bill Masone
A great Library, well maintained and an educated friendly staff and security personnel. Open everyday, with lots to do and see. If your in the area it's worth a visit. Also there is a rooftop terrace and a great History room on the 6th floor.
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September 2023 by Catherine Armstrong
I've been an avid library-goer for years, and this library is an absolute gem! From the moment you step through its welcoming doors, you're transported to a world of endless knowledge and imagination. The diverse collection, cozy reading nooks, and helpful staff make it a haven for book lovers like me.
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August 2023 by Ivan Martinez
The San Francisco Public Library is filled with resources for all ages. Their media room is well known for its wide collection of movies and music. A happy place for any bookworm out there.
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July 2023 by Y
The main library has almost anything that you need with some exception. The printing service can be daunting with your first order so you might end up paying instead of getting it for free.I like the teen section where is a studio for teenage to learn about the music, except the limited time that you can book the room. I wish they have such options in other branches.The library hosts different events like poetry reading, art exhibition and so forth. It is a great place for community to come and spend time to learn each other story. I do really really really want to see more marginalized community being introduce in the library.The perks for the national park pass and Discover & Go are the things that you want to get advantage of :).The only minus point is homeless people are in the building and surround the building.
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June 2023 by Matt Savage
Despite the potentially daunting surroundings of the Civic Center/Market Street area, I highly recommend a visit to the San Francisco Public Library. The library's stringent security measures ensure a safe and secure environment, allowing visitors to enjoy a truly tranquil experience inside. Stepping through its doors, you are immediately enveloped in a sense of serenity, as if entering an oasis amidst the bustling city.The library's architecture is simply breathtaking, adding to the overall ambiance of calmness and tranquility. From the moment you interact with the knowledgeable and accommodating staff, it becomes evident that their commitment to providing exceptional service is unwavering. They are always ready to assist visitors, going above and beyond to ensure a positive experience.One area of the library that stands out is the San Francisco History Room, which boasts an astonishing array of offerings. It is a treasure trove for history enthusiasts, with a wealth of resources and materials that will undoubtedly captivate visitors. The dedicated staff members of the San Francisco History Room are passionate about their work, readily sharing their expertise and making every effort to accommodate the needs and interests of visitors.In summary, don't let any reservations about the surrounding neighborhood dissuade you from exploring the San Francisco Public Library. This haven of tranquility is filled with stunning architecture, a helpful staff, and an abundance of books that will keep you engrossed for hours. The San Francisco History Room is an absolute gem that should not be missed, and the library as a whole offers an enriching experience that will leave you with a deep appreciation for its offerings.
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June 2023 by Zachary Maneja
Angelo from info desk super nice, made me feel welcome and excited, was very clear.Lovely atmosphere, lots of books, clean. Couldn't make me feel more happier being in sf.All the desk personnel are quick to help you even though they might be mid another conversation with staff. They are super helpful here and have help on ever floor even right outside the elevators.
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May 2023 by Mikhail Usov
Love the library - a lot of good things outside of the books. Good and fresh international selections I read mostly in Russian, including fresh press.Internet is great you can bring your laptop or use one of the library PCs. Free printing as well within the reasonable limit per day. CDs, DVDs and even Vinyl collection as well.Some homeless people always around but most of them does not cause any problems - security doing a good job not letting people sleeping or be loud.
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April 2023 by Chris P.
It's difficult to study because of homeless people sleeping and wondering when the library Security is going to come wake them up. Feeling bad for some of the homeless in real time makes it difficult for me to concentrate on what I actually went there to do. Study to pass the A+ certification. I can't study in my room because it's too relaxed and too many distractions. It's difficult to study at the Library because I'm distracted by feeling bad for the young and female homeless who I can tell by looking at that they have no chance of getting off of the street. The Library staff and facilities are good.Great job San Francisco. God bless San Francisco voters.
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April 2023 by Mike Davis
OMG, what can I say about the library staff that would adequately portray be absolutely wonderful job that they do every day. I stop here once a week for a few books, and yes, some graphic novels and Sheldon Cooper says on the big bang theory, I myself still call them comic books. Are the friends of the library store that sells used books there which are donated by library patrons who have too many books at home, is there really such a thing as too many books? I would rather read a PRINT edition of a book than any electronic version. The events that are held at the main branch are very elaborate, fun, and educational. My thanks to all of you library staff who work so hard for so little money to make sure to keep Benjamin Franklin’s dream alive.
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April 2023 by Quincy Ess
Fantastic, visually stunning and completely breathtaking example of what a library can be. The staff are knowledgeable, polite, and kind, treating guests from all walks of life with dignity and respect. The bumped up security and addition of bathroom monitors helps keep everyone feeling safe and prevents the restrooms from being misused or loitered in. The selection of titles and materials is absolutely astounding, and the rotation of exhibits and installations keeps your attention and makes each trip an adventure. There's technology available to use when you register with the library, which opens countless doors for guests, from educational opportunities and advances to career paths opening and developing, to contact with family or friends around the globe. There's workspaces for studying or projects, and several sections of dedicated space for specified topics of study or research. Honestly, the library is just the front door, opening to an endless array of ideas, paths, possibilities...for EVERYONE. housed or not, rich or poor, young or old, the library is for everyone, it's an inclusive space and just because you may not understand why a person is there, doesn't meant they don't belong. In fact, the only people who don't belong there, are those who believe the countless resources offered by the library are only meant to be shared by specific groups, excluding others. Shame on you, reviewers who complained that homeless people were allowed in the library. You seem to have missed the point altogether.
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March 2023 by Amy W.
The Library is my jam!!! I am thrifty and love to read, as well as just it is another way to save the planet than buying books. There is a branch in my hood, but i have always been curious about the main branch and what it looked like.I had heard is was FULL of the many houseless in SF, but on a Saturday I did see (and smell) a few - but it wasn't too bad. It was very pretty inside, and nice and sunny, except that they have this suicide prevention netting secured by zip ties everywhere since the multiple floors have open areas to other floors, which is just a shame..I mean - once you notice this netting - it is EVERYWHERE, such a shame. Whenever I go to the library I think of the "Bizarro Jerry" episode of Seinfeld:Elaine: These are good people, Jerry. They read!Jerry: I read, I read!Elaine: Books, Jerry.Jerry: Oh.
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February 2023 by Jennifer N.
This is an awesome library! I was worried it would be filled with sketchy people because it is in the heart of civic center....but they do a good job policing the library AND bathrooms. And its very clean inside. We easily spent a few hours in here browsing books and other cool nooks and crannies in here. There are 6 floors of all kinds of books, audiovisuals, historic documents, and art displays. Highly recommend!
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February 2023 by Jon L.
Shoutout to the wonderful librarians for the great work they do. The SF libraries provide essential services for folks who really need it - even more so with the main library being next to Civic Center. Still, the experience is clean and pleasant enough. Very efficient if you do stuff online and just pick it up - from new publications to movies and music. I've used this branch when I needed to print stuff. Being right across from City Hall, this was so useful! Slightly cheaper than Fedex but I've much rather support the local library system anyway. Simply load your document to the cloud and pay when you retrieve it from the printers. Note: $2 of free prints per day if you have a small job. Thanks SF libraries.
