San Francisco Library Hours 2025
Quick Facts
- 10,000+ libraries in our database across 50+ countries
- Updated monthly with verified opening hours
- 98% accuracy rate based on user feedback
Complete guide to SFPL Main Library, all 28 branches, and university libraries in the Bay Area
📅 Last Updated: December 5, 2025
📍 Quick Navigation
San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) operates the stunning Main Library at Civic Center plus 28 neighborhood branches serving all San Francisco neighborhoods. Whether you're a tech worker in SoMa, a student in the Sunset, or a tourist visiting the city, you'll find a library nearby.
This guide covers all SFPL locations, university libraries (UC Berkeley, Stanford, SFSU), getting there by MUNI/BART, parking options, and how to get a library card as a visitor or non-resident.
📚 San Francisco Main Library Hours
🏛️ Main Library (Civic Center)
📍 Address: 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
📞 Phone: (415) 557-4400
🌐 Website: sfpl.org
Regular Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Friday | 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
⚠️ Holiday Hours & Closures
SFPL is closed on:
- New Year's Day (January 1)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (3rd Monday in January)
- Presidents' Day (3rd Monday in February)
- Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
- Juneteenth (June 19)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day (1st Monday in September)
- Thanksgiving Day + Day After
- Christmas Day (December 25)
Getting to Main Library
🚇 MUNI Metro & BART
- Civic Center BART/MUNI Station: 2-minute walk (Market & 8th St exit)
- MUNI Metro Lines: J, K, L, M, N, T (Civic Center Station)
- MUNI Bus Lines: 5, 7, 9, 19, 21, 47, 49
🚗 Parking Options
Note: Main Library has NO on-site parking.
- Civic Center Garage: 355 McAllister St ($3-6/hour, $25/day max)
- Performing Arts Garage: 360 Grove St ($2-5/hour)
- Street Parking: Metered spots on Fulton, Larkin, Hyde (Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, $3-4/hour)
- Sunday: Free street parking in most areas
🚴 Bike Parking
Bike racks available on Larkin Street side and Hyde Street entrance. Civic Center BART has indoor bike parking.
🌆 Popular SFPL Branch Locations
SFPL operates 28 neighborhood branches. Here are the busiest and most popular:
Mission Bay Branch
📍 960 4th Street
📞 (415) 355-2838
⏰ Hours:
Mon-Thu: 10am-9pm
Fri-Sat: 10am-6pm
Sun: 12pm-6pm
✅ Open Late (9pm Mon-Thu)
Newest branch, opened 2020. Modern design, large study areas, tech-focused collections.
Chinatown Branch
📍 1135 Powell Street
📞 (415) 355-2888
⏰ Hours:
Mon, Wed, Fri-Sat: 10am-6pm
Tue, Thu: 12pm-8pm
Sun: Closed
Large Chinese language collection. Near cable car lines.
Richmond Branch
📍 351 9th Avenue
📞 (415) 355-5600
⏰ Hours:
Mon-Tue: 10am-9pm
Wed-Thu: 10am-7pm
Fri-Sat: 10am-6pm
Sun: 1pm-5pm
Near Golden Gate Park. Great for families.
Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Branch
📍 451 Jersey Street
📞 (415) 355-5707
⏰ Hours:
Mon-Wed: 10am-9pm
Thu-Sat: 10am-6pm
Sun: 1pm-5pm
Popular neighborhood branch. Strong children's section.
Marina Branch
📍 1890 Chestnut Street
📞 (415) 355-2823
⏰ Hours:
Mon-Thu: 10am-7pm
Fri-Sat: 10am-6pm
Sun: 1pm-5pm
Beautiful historic building. Near Palace of Fine Arts.
Mission Branch
📍 300 Bartlett Street
📞 (415) 355-2800
⏰ Hours:
Mon, Wed, Fri-Sat: 10am-6pm
Tue, Thu: 12pm-8pm
Sun: Closed
Large Spanish language collection. Community hub.
📋 All 28 SFPL Branches
Full list with hours: sfpl.org/locations
Branches in every neighborhood: Bayview, Bernal Heights, Castro, Excelsior, Glen Park, Ingleside, Merced, North Beach, Ocean View, Ortega, Parkside, Portola, Potrero, Presidio, Sunset, Visitacion Valley, West Portal, Western Addition.
🎓 University Libraries in the Bay Area
UC Berkeley Libraries
📍 Main Library (Doe): Berkeley, CA 94720
⏰ Regular Hours:
- Doe Memorial Library: Mon-Thu 8am-10pm, Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12pm-10pm
- Moffitt Library: Mon-Thu 7am-2am, Fri 7am-8pm, Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-2am
- 24-Hour Access: Moffitt during finals week (open 24/7)
✅ Public Access: UC Berkeley libraries welcome visitors. Borrowing requires Cal 1 Card ($100/year for non-UC affiliates).
Stanford University Libraries
📍 Green Library (Main): 557 Escondido Mall, Stanford, CA 94305
⏰ Regular Hours:
- Green Library: Mon-Thu 8am-12am, Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12pm-12am
- 24-Hour Access: Green Library during finals (24/5 - closes Fri 6pm, reopens Sun 12pm)
⚠️ Public Access: Limited. Visitors can enter during public hours but cannot check out materials. Research access available with special permission.
San Francisco State University Library
📍 J. Paul Leonard Library, 1630 Holloway Ave, San Francisco, CA 94132
⏰ Hours: Mon-Thu 7:30am-11pm, Fri 7:30am-5pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12pm-9pm
🚌 Getting There: MUNI M-Line (Ocean View), Bus 28, 29
💳 How to Get a San Francisco Library Card
For California Residents (FREE)
What You Need:
- Valid photo ID: Driver's license, passport, or state ID
- Proof of California address: Utility bill, lease, bank statement (dated within 30 days)
How to Apply:
- In Person (Instant): Visit any SFPL location, bring documents, get card same-day
- Online (Digital eCard):
- Go to sfpl.org → "Get a Library Card"
- Fill out online form
- Upload photo of ID and proof of address
- Receive digital eCard within 24-48 hours
- Pick up physical card at any branch
✅ What You Get:
- Borrow books, DVDs, audiobooks (50 items at once!)
- Access 300,000+ ebooks via Libby/OverDrive
- Stream movies on Kanopy and hoopla
- Free museum passes (de Young, SFMOMA, California Academy of Sciences)
- LinkedIn Learning, Ancestry.com, Consumer Reports
- 3D printing, recording studio, maker spaces
For Non-California Residents
Annual Fee: $120/year
How to Apply:
- Visit any SFPL location in person
- Bring photo ID with out-of-state address
- Pay $120 fee (cash, card, or check)
- Valid for 12 months from purchase date
💡 Worth It If:
- You visit SF regularly (tourists, business travelers)
- You want access to SFPL's large digital collection remotely
- Your home library has limited ebooks/audiobooks
- You're studying/researching Bay Area topics
🎓 Students & Visitors
- College students: Use dorm/apartment address (CA residents = free)
- Temporary SF residents: Hotel bill or short-term lease works as proof of address
- Homeless individuals: SFPL has special procedures - ask at any branch reference desk
- Day pass for tourists: Ask for guest computer access (1 hour/day free)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What are San Francisco Main Library hours?
San Francisco Main Library at 100 Larkin Street is open Monday-Tuesday 9am-8pm, Wednesday-Thursday 9am-6pm, Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, and Sunday 11am-6pm. The library is closed on major holidays.
Are SF libraries open on weekends?
Yes! The Main Library is open Saturday 9am-6pm and Sunday 11am-6pm. Most branch libraries are open Saturday 10am-6pm, but many are closed Sundays. Check individual branch hours on the SFPL website.
How do I get a San Francisco library card?
FREE for California residents. Bring photo ID and proof of CA address (utility bill, lease). Non-CA residents pay $120/year. Digital eCards available online for instant access to ebooks and databases. Visit any SFPL branch or apply at sfpl.org.
Does SFPL have a 24-hour library?
No, SFPL does not have 24-hour locations. Latest closing is 8pm (Main Library on Mon-Tue). For 24-hour study, try UC Berkeley Moffitt Library (during finals week) or Stanford Green Library (24/5 during finals).
Where can I park at SF Main Library?
Main Library has NO on-site parking. Use Civic Center Garage (355 McAllister St, $3-6/hour) or street parking with meters ($3-4/hour Mon-Sat, FREE Sundays). MUNI Metro Civic Center Station is 2 minutes away. Bus lines: 5, 7, 9, 19, 21, 47, 49.
Which SF libraries are open late?
Main Library stays open until 8pm Monday-Tuesday. Mission Bay Branch is open until 9pm Monday-Thursday. Most other branches close at 6pm. Check the SFPL website for current evening hours.
🌉 San Francisco Library Insider Tips
🎫 FREE Museum Passes
SFPL cards unlock FREE museum passes to de Young, SFMOMA, California Academy of Sciences, Asian Art Museum, and more! Reserve online at sfpl.org/discover-learn/museum-passes - they go FAST. Book 2-3 weeks ahead for popular museums.
🌙 Mission Bay = Latest Hours
SFPL's Mission Bay Branch stays open until 9PM Monday-Thursday - the latest public library hours in San Francisco! Modern building (opened 2020), tech-focused collections, and large study areas. Perfect for after-work studying.
🔧 FREE 3D Printing & Makerspace
Main Library's "The Mix" on the 5th floor has 3D printers, laser cutters, recording studios, and digital media equipment - ALL FREE with your library card! Staff teach you how to use everything. Reserve online.
🌙 24/7 Study at UC Berkeley (Finals)
During finals weeks, UC Berkeley's Moffitt Library goes 24/7! Even if you're not a student, daytime public access is available. BART to Downtown Berkeley station. The $100/year Cal 1 Card for non-UC visitors is worth it for serious researchers.
🚇 MUNI/BART Direct Access
Main Library is 2 minutes from Civic Center BART/MUNI station - just walk up Larkin Street! FREE street parking on Sundays. During weekdays, Civic Center Garage ($3-6/hour) is your best bet.
📚 50 Items + Streaming Services
SFPL lets you check out 50 items at once! Plus free access to Kanopy (streaming films), hoopla (music/ebooks), LinkedIn Learning, Ancestry.com, and Consumer Reports. Best free streaming deal in the Bay Area.
📚 Related Resources
📖 Helpful Resources
🗺️ Explore Nearby
Verified Info: Our team personally contacts libraries to verify hours. Data last confirmed: December 2025
Common Questions About San Francisco Libraries
What time do libraries open in San Francisco?
Most public libraries in San Francisco open at 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM on weekdays. Weekend hours typically start at 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM. Academic and university libraries may open earlier, around 7:00 AM or 8:00 AM during the semester.
Are San Francisco libraries open on weekends?
Yes, most San Francisco public libraries are open on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Sunday hours vary by location, with many libraries operating reduced hours (12:00 PM to 5:00 PM) or remaining closed.
Do I need a library card to visit San Francisco libraries?
No, you can visit and use library facilities without a card. However, borrowing books, accessing computers, and using certain services require a free library card. Residents can get one with valid ID and proof of address.