Library · San Francisco
Libraries in San Francisco
San Francisco Public Library serves San Francisco’s 843,071 residents from 28 locations. Last year it logged 3,976,556 visits, about 4.7 for every resident, and lent 14M books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
San Francisco Main Library
100 Larkin St., San Francisco 94102
58 hrsopen a week
376,000sq ft
2.4Mbooks & media
Fine-freeNo late fees on books returned late
E-books & audiobooksBorrow from home with your card
Auto-renews loansBooks renew on their own if no one’s waiting
Research databasesOnline courses, journals, genealogy and more
#28
#28 of 117 · Most-used libraries in CA →Among CA towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#13 · Most library borrowing →#14 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
4M
visits
4.7 per resident
14M
loans, print + digital
16.6 per resident
13K
programs & events
365K attended
455K
library cards
54% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 100,000+ people
Per-resident numbers, compared only with libraries of a similar size across the country, because a tiny town’s library always looks busier per person.
Visits per resident
4.7 visits · typical 2.1
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
8.9 print items · typical 3.2
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
7.7 e-items · typical 1.4
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
4.3 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Higher than 88% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.4 attendees · typical 0.2
Higher than 85% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
54% of residents
Higher than 72% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
14M loans last year
Books & media (adults)28%Kids’ books & media26%E-books, audio & streaming46%
Who the programs are for
13,191 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$199 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $168M.
Local 98%State 0%Gifts & other 2%
Locations
Other libraries in San Francisco
And 16 more in San Francisco.
About these numbers
How to read this page
Hours are an averageThe survey reports a building’s public hours for the whole year. We divide by the weeks it was open, so check the library’s own site for today’s hours.
Compared by size“Similar-size” means libraries serving about as many people, nationwide. Per-resident numbers always flatter the smallest towns, so they’re never compared with big cities.
One year, the library’s own countLibraries report their own visits, loans and programs for fiscal year 2024. A library that didn’t respond keeps its address and hours here, with no numbers.
Source: Institute of Museum and Library Services, Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024. Distances are straight-line from the town center.