Exploring the San Francisco Main Public Library
Explore multiple floors of books and other resources at the San Francisco Main Public Library. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Government Publishing Office.
With 27 neighborhood branches and four bookmobiles, the San Francisco Public Library serves more than six million visitors every year. The Main Library is in the city’s Civic Center neighborhood and just 0.3 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza BART. It’s the central resource center for the entire San Francisco Public Library system and the libraries of Northern California. More than a place to check out books, the Main Library features extensive programs and exhibits supporting and reflecting the diverse communities it serves.
With its rich history, large collection, free services and ongoing events and exhibitions, the San Francisco Main Library is worth a visit. You don’t have to be a resident of the city to get a free San Francisco Public Library card. Any California resident can get one.
Use BART’s Trip Planner for detailed routes and transit options.
History
San Francisco’s first public library opened in the Financial District in 1879 and relocated to a wing of City Hall in 1888. After being destroyed in the Great Earthquake in 1906, a new building was constructed in Civic Center in 1917. That library became the home of the Asian Art Museum when the new Main Library building opened in April 1996 at its current location at 100 Larkin St.
Take BART to the SF Main Public Library in Civic Center. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Government Publishing Office.
Unique Collections
The Main Library houses a number of unique collections that provide important resources for researchers or others. The research collections at the Main Library include the San Francisco History Center with photographs, maps and more, and the Book Arts & Special Collections, including research collections on printing history, lettering and zines. Both are on the 6th floor.
The library’s LGBTQIA Center on the 3rd floor includes circulating and reference items, as well as archival materials. The 5th floor features the San Francisco Government Information Center, which provides free access to national, state and local government documents.
Free Services and Programs
Your library card gives you access to a variety of eResources and the ability to download e-books, movies, music and magazines online. It also unlocks in-person resources at the Main Library, including onsite fitness and wellness classes, public computers, printers and fast WiFi. In addition, the library provides citizenship and immigration resources and ESL programs. Learning resources include homework help for kids. And if you’re looking for a job or exploring a new career, check out the Jobs & Careers Center on the 4th floor.
Events and Exhibits
Check out events like “Night of Ideas” at the Main Library. Photo courtesy of MerciSF.
The Main Library hosts public events throughout the year. From children’s storytime to art workshops, there are ongoing events onsite for kids and adults. The Koret Auditorium on the lower level seats more than 200 people and hosts free public events, film screenings, live performances and author talks.
Be sure to check out the library’s exhibits as well. Among the current or upcoming exhibits are “Drawn to Painting: The Secret Life of a Muni Illustrator” (June 18, 2026 - July 3, 2027), “Eyewitness to the Resistance: Photojournalists on the Front Lines of Protest” (Sept. 17 - Dec. 31, 2026) and “Mother Jones Magazine: 50 Years of Fearless Journalism” (Nov. 6, 2026 - April 29, 2027).
Planning Your Visit
Check the library’s opening hours, which vary based on the day of the week. To get there, take BART to Civic Center/UN Plaza, which is just a two-minute walk from the library. An onsite cafe on the lower level of the Main Library will help keep you fueled during your visit.
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