Skip to Main Content
  • Library Home
  • FAQ Home
San Francisco Public Library: FAQ banner
  1. Library Home
  2. FAQ

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions - SFPL

165 Answers

  • Browse:

  • All
  • English | Español | 中文
    • SFPL FAQ English
    • SFPL FAQ Español
    • SFPL FAQ 中文
  • Topics
    • 4About
    • 21BiblioCommons
    • 23Books and Materials
    • 22Borrow Items
    • 7Branches
    • 12Classic Catalog
    • 3Collection Development
    • 20Computers / Equipment
    • 3Donations
    • 9eAudiobooks
    • 22eBooks
    • 10eLearning
    • 6eMagazines & eNews
    • 3eMusic
    • 17eResources
    • 8eVideo
    • 31FAQ
    • 1Fees / Charges
    • 5Holds / Reserves
    • 2InterLibrary Loan
    • 8Libraries
    • 4Library Administration
    • 4Library Card
    • 8Main
    • 35My Account
    • 6Notices
    • 5Printing
    • 1Scholar Card
    • 44Services
    • 1Summer Reading

  • Popular
  • Recent
  • Featured
  • How do I get a library card?
    Last Updated: Sep 30, 2024 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • FAQ
    • Library Card
    • My Account
    • Services
    |
    Views: 883898
  • How do I access The New York Times?
    Last Updated: Aug 26, 2024 | Topics:
    • eMagazines & eNews
    |
    Views: 882441
  • How do I renew my Library Card?
    Last Updated: Oct 31, 2024 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • My Account
    • Services
    |
    Views: 338600
  • Printing, Copying, Scanning, and Faxing at the Library
    Last Updated: Apr 29, 2025 | Topics:
    • Computers / Equipment
    • Printing
    • Services
    |
    Views: 272511
  • How do I renew my checked out items? Why can't I renew?
    Last Updated: Oct 31, 2024 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • My Account
    • Services
    |
    Views: 255049
  • What is Hoopla Digital and how does it work?
    Last Updated: Aug 22, 2022 | Topics:
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    • eMusic
    • eVideo
    |
    Views: 154861
  • What documents are required to get a Library Card?
    Last Updated: Oct 19, 2024 | Topics:
    • My Account
    • Services
    |
    Views: 152533
  • What is Libby by OverDrive and how does it work?
    Last Updated: Nov 06, 2023 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    • eVideo
    • FAQ
    |
    Views: 141952
  • What is Kanopy and how does it work?
    Last Updated: Jan 18, 2025 | Topics:
    • eVideo
    • FAQ
    |
    Views: 125670
  • How do I use Discover and Go?
    Last Updated: Dec 22, 2021 | Topics:
    • FAQ
    • Services
    |
    Views: 86857
  • How do I access newspapers and magazines on PressReader?
    Last Updated: May 06, 2025 | Topics:
    • eMagazines & eNews
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 41875
  • What should I do if I return something to SFPL that belongs to another library?
    Last Updated: Apr 30, 2025 | Topics:
    • Books and Materials
    |
    Views: 3497
  • Printing, Copying, Scanning, and Faxing at the Library
    Last Updated: Apr 29, 2025 | Topics:
    • Computers / Equipment
    • Printing
    • Services
    |
    Views: 272511
  • What is SFPL's Collection Development Plan?
    Last Updated: Apr 18, 2025 | Topics:
    • Books and Materials
    • Collection Development
    • Library Administration
    |
    Views: 13253
  • How do I pay for or replace a Lost or Damaged item?
    Last Updated: Apr 08, 2025 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 19146
  • What is The MIX?
    Last Updated: Apr 01, 2025 | Topics:
    • Main
    • Services
    |
    Views: 1705
  • How do I access a supplementary PDF mentioned in my OverDrive or Boundless audiobook?
    Last Updated: Mar 28, 2025 | Views: 40
  • What is Excel Adult High School?
    Last Updated: Mar 10, 2025 | Topics:
    • FAQ
    • Services
    |
    Views: 1256
  • Do you have typewriters?
    Last Updated: Mar 04, 2025 | Views: 156
  • How do I suggest a title?
    Last Updated: Feb 28, 2025 | Topics:
    • BiblioCommons
    • Books and Materials
    • Collection Development
    • My Account
    • Services
    |
    Views: 9084
  • Can I receive notification via text message of holds ready to pickup and items due back?
    Last Updated: Feb 27, 2025 | Topics:
    • My Account
    • Notices
    • Services
    |
    Views: 22517
  • What is the Scholar Card?
    Last Updated: Feb 25, 2025 | Topics:
    • Library Card
    • Scholar Card
    |
    Views: 3554
  • Does the library have 3D printers I can use?
    Last Updated: Feb 25, 2025 | Topics:
    • Printing
    • Services
    |
    Views: 6662
  • What is Flipster and how do I use it?
    Last Updated: Feb 20, 2025 | Topics:
    • eMagazines & eNews
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 10159
  • What apps are available for your eResources?
    Last Updated: Feb 07, 2025 | Topics:
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 1762
  • Why is my Kanopy account blocked?
    Last Updated: Jan 18, 2025 | Views: 183
  • What is Kanopy and how does it work?
    Last Updated: Jan 18, 2025 | Topics:
    • eVideo
    • FAQ
    |
    Views: 125670
  • How do I reserve a meeting room for my group to use?
    Last Updated: Jan 15, 2025 | Topics:
    • Branches
    • Main
    • Services
    |
    Views: 2397
  • How do I access The Wall Street Journal (wsj.com)?
    Last Updated: Jan 09, 2025 | Views: 4310
  • What is Borrowing History?
    Last Updated: Jan 05, 2025 | Topics:
    • BiblioCommons
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 3098
  • Can I access Hoopla ebooks on my Kindle Paperwhite?
    Last Updated: Dec 30, 2024 | Topics:
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 190
  • Can I print from my own computer or laptop?
    Last Updated: Nov 09, 2024 | Topics:
    • Computers / Equipment
    • Printing
    • Services
    |
    Views: 25621
  • How do I renew my checked out items? Why can't I renew?
    Last Updated: Oct 31, 2024 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • My Account
    • Services
    |
    Views: 255049
  • How do I renew my Library Card?
    Last Updated: Oct 31, 2024 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • My Account
    • Services
    |
    Views: 338600
  • What is the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection?
    Last Updated: Oct 29, 2024 | Topics:
    • FAQ
    |
    Views: 4705
  • What documents are required to get a Library Card?
    Last Updated: Oct 19, 2024 | Topics:
    • My Account
    • Services
    |
    Views: 152533
  • How do I pay my fees online?
    Last Updated: Oct 15, 2024 | Topics:
    • Classic Catalog
    • FAQ
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 12965
  • How do I update my address?
    Last Updated: Oct 15, 2024 | Topics:
    • FAQ
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 3421
  • How do I get a library card?
    Last Updated: Sep 30, 2024 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • FAQ
    • Library Card
    • My Account
    • Services
    |
    Views: 883898
  • Can I request books to be sent through the mail?
    Last Updated: Sep 14, 2024 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • My Account
    • Services
    |
    Views: 2307
  • What is ABCmouse.com Bring Learning Home?
    Last Updated: Sep 06, 2024 | Topics:
    • eLearning
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 2577
  • What is Udemy and how do I get started?
    Last Updated: Aug 30, 2024 | Topics:
    • eLearning
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 12598
  • How do I access The New York Times?
    Last Updated: Aug 26, 2024 | Topics:
    • eMagazines & eNews
    |
    Views: 882441
  • How do I log into Oxford English Dictionary (OED)?
    Last Updated: Aug 26, 2024 | Topics:
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 718
  • How do I find out if the Library carries a particular magazine, newspaper, or journal?
    Last Updated: Jul 31, 2024 | Topics:
    • eMagazines & eNews
    |
    Views: 359
  • What types of software are included on the library's computers?
    Last Updated: Jul 16, 2024 | Topics:
    • Computers / Equipment
    • FAQ
    • Services
    |
    Views: 3465
  • What is InterLibrary Loan (ILL) and how does it work?
    Last Updated: Jul 10, 2024 | Topics:
    • Books and Materials
    • Borrow Items
    • FAQ
    • InterLibrary Loan
    • Libraries
    • Main
    • Services
    |
    Views: 78202
  • How do I transfer eBooks to my Nook ereader?
    Last Updated: Jun 28, 2024 | Topics:
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 6181
  • What is Adobe Digital Editions and why do I need it?
    Last Updated: Jun 28, 2024 | Topics:
    • eBooks
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 20585
  • How do I borrow OverDrive ebooks on a Kobo ereader?
    Last Updated: Jun 28, 2024 | Topics:
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 4853
  • How do I get Kindle Books from Libby by OverDrive?
    Last Updated: Jun 17, 2024 | Topics:
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 43390
  • Does the library have an archive of the San Francisco Chronicle?
    Last Updated: Jun 13, 2024 | Topics:
    • Books and Materials
    |
    Views: 3446
  • How many may I reserve / hold? How many may I borrow? How long may I keep items?
    Last Updated: May 25, 2024 | Topics:
    • Books and Materials
    • Borrow Items
    • eBooks
    • FAQ
    • Services
    |
    Views: 44982
  • Does the library lend laptop computers?
    Last Updated: May 16, 2024 | Topics:
    • Computers / Equipment
    • Services
    |
    Views: 20952
  • How do I access an EPUB/PDF-formatted ebook from Boundless?
    Last Updated: Apr 05, 2024 | Topics:
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 36509
  • How do I return an ebook early?
    Last Updated: Apr 05, 2024 | Topics:
    • Books and Materials
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 11081
  • How do I reconnect my Kanopy account after renewing my library account?
    Last Updated: Mar 22, 2024 | Views: 284
  • How do I renew eBooks and eAudiobooks?
    Last Updated: Feb 26, 2024 | Topics:
    • eBooks
    • FAQ
    |
    Views: 18747
  • What is Peterson's Test Prep and how do I get started?
    Last Updated: Feb 13, 2024 | Topics:
    • eLearning
    |
    Views: 877
  • My library card is lost or stolen. How do I replace my library card?
    Last Updated: Feb 01, 2024 | Topics:
    • eBooks
    • Library Card
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 50158
  • How do I donate a book or AV item to the library?
    Last Updated: Jan 30, 2024 | Topics:
    • Donations
    |
    Views: 869
  • What is Auto Renew?
    Last Updated: Dec 14, 2023 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • My Account
    • Notices
    |
    Views: 10253
  • What is Gale Courses and how do I get started?
    Last Updated: Dec 08, 2023 | Topics:
    • eLearning
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 10967
  • What is Treehouse and how do I get an account?
    Last Updated: Dec 08, 2023 | Topics:
    • eLearning
    |
    Views: 24392
  • What is LinkedIn Learning?
    Last Updated: Dec 08, 2023 | Topics:
    • eLearning
    |
    Views: 5522
  • What is Mango Languages account and how do I create an account?
    Last Updated: Dec 05, 2023 | Topics:
    • eLearning
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 11884
  • What is Rosetta Stone and how do I get started?
    Last Updated: Dec 05, 2023 | Topics:
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 19015
  • Where are my ebooks?
    Last Updated: Nov 21, 2023 | Topics:
    • eBooks
    • FAQ
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 6318
  • What is Bibliocommons and why should I use it?
    Last Updated: Nov 06, 2023 | Topics:
    • BiblioCommons
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 19163
  • What is SimplyE?
    Last Updated: Nov 06, 2023 | Topics:
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 15462
  • How do I get my ebook or eaudiobook?
    Last Updated: Nov 06, 2023 | Topics:
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 3720
  • What is Libby by OverDrive and how does it work?
    Last Updated: Nov 06, 2023 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    • eVideo
    • FAQ
    |
    Views: 141952
  • What is Kanopy's ticket system?
    Last Updated: Nov 01, 2023 | Topics:
    • eResources
    • eVideo
    |
    Views: 627
  • What is Boundless and what happened to Axis 360?
    Last Updated: Oct 25, 2023 | Topics:
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 8352
  • What is MyHeritage Library Edition?
    Last Updated: Sep 22, 2023 | Topics:
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 619
  • What is My China Roots and how do I get started?
    Last Updated: Sep 22, 2023 | Topics:
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 1426
  • What is a Teacher Card and how can I get one?
    Last Updated: Sep 20, 2023 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • FAQ
    • Holds / Reserves
    |
    Views: 12428
  • What is happening to the legacy OverDrive app?
    Last Updated: Sep 12, 2023 | Views: 2393
  • Placing a hold/ Reserving an Item
    Last Updated: Aug 03, 2023 | Topics:
    • BiblioCommons
    • Books and Materials
    • Borrow Items
    • Holds / Reserves
    |
    Views: 16531
  • What do I need to know when the OverDrive app sunsets in April 2023?
    Last Updated: Jul 07, 2023 | Topics:
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 164
  • What is CAreer Pathways?
    Last Updated: Jul 07, 2023 | Topics:
    • eLearning
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 447
  • What is "delayed paging"?
    Last Updated: Jul 05, 2023 | Views: 182
  • Can I get an obituary for...?
    Last Updated: Jul 05, 2023 | Views: 247
  • How do I use Chinese Characters on Library Computers?
    Last Updated: Jun 22, 2023 | Topics:
    • Computers / Equipment
    • FAQ
    • Services
    |
    Views: 1589
  • What is LINK+ and how does it work?
    Last Updated: May 25, 2023 | Topics:
    • Books and Materials
    • FAQ
    • InterLibrary Loan
    • Services
    |
    Views: 70115
  • How do I remove items from my Borrowing History?
    Last Updated: Mar 07, 2023 | Topics:
    • BiblioCommons
    • Books and Materials
    |
    Views: 7020
  • How do I manage requests / holds using my Classic Catalog account?
    Last Updated: Feb 11, 2023 | Topics:
    • Books and Materials
    • Classic Catalog
    • FAQ
    |
    Views: 7401
  • Does the library take donations of money?
    Last Updated: Feb 07, 2023 | Topics:
    • Donations
    • Library Administration
    |
    Views: 7881
  • What are my responsibilities as a library cardholder?
    Last Updated: Feb 06, 2023 | Topics:
    • About
    • Borrow Items
    • FAQ
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 5813
  • How much are fees?
    Last Updated: Jan 31, 2023 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • Fees / Charges
    • Services
    |
    Views: 21950
  • How do I get a notification about a Suggested Title arriving at SFPL?
    Last Updated: Dec 23, 2022 | Topics:
    • Books and Materials
    • Holds / Reserves
    |
    Views: 1135
  • Can I access my OverDrive history in Libby?
    Last Updated: Dec 12, 2022 | Views: 707
  • What should I read?
    Last Updated: Dec 07, 2022 | Topics:
    • Books and Materials
    • Services
    • Summer Reading
    |
    Views: 311
  • Is there an “Add to Apple Wallet” option for library cards?
    Last Updated: Nov 29, 2022 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • Library Card
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 2576
  • How do I renew items by phone?
    Last Updated: Nov 16, 2022 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • My Account
    • Services
    |
    Views: 4509
  • What can I do on the computer I reserve and what types of software are available?
    Last Updated: Nov 10, 2022 | Topics:
    • Computers / Equipment
    • FAQ
    • Services
    |
    Views: 3598
  • What happened to OverDrive's automatic checkout of holds?
    Last Updated: Aug 22, 2022 | Topics:
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 1038
  • What is Hoopla Digital and how does it work?
    Last Updated: Aug 22, 2022 | Topics:
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    • eMusic
    • eVideo
    |
    Views: 154861
  • Why do I have to visit in person to get a library card?
    Last Updated: Jul 25, 2022 | Topics:
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 19518
  • What was the Tech It Forward laptop donation program?
    Last Updated: Jul 06, 2022 | Topics:
    • Donations
    |
    Views: 1148
  • What time does the Library open / close?
    Last Updated: Apr 20, 2022 | Topics:
    • About
    • Libraries
    |
    Views: 2764
  • Can I receive a notice when holds are ready / items are due?
    Last Updated: Apr 20, 2022 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • My Account
    • Notices
    • Services
    |
    Views: 4975
  • What happens when an item is overdue?
    Last Updated: Apr 19, 2022 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • My Account
    • Notices
    |
    Views: 9654
  • Does SFPL offer exam proctoring?
    Last Updated: Mar 23, 2022 | Topics:
    • Services
    |
    Views: 3199
  • What is the Lucky Day Collection?
    Last Updated: Feb 22, 2022 | Topics:
    • Books and Materials
    • Borrow Items
    |
    Views: 7540
  • Where can I return items?
    Last Updated: Dec 29, 2021 | Topics:
    • FAQ
    • Services
    |
    Views: 28394
  • How do I use Discover and Go?
    Last Updated: Dec 22, 2021 | Topics:
    • FAQ
    • Services
    |
    Views: 86857
  • Mission Construction Q & A
    Last Updated: Nov 19, 2021 | Topics:
    • Branches
    |
    Views: 1026
  • How do I change my PIN / Password?
    Last Updated: Oct 13, 2021 | Topics:
    • Classic Catalog
    • Computers / Equipment
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 80997
  • Why do I need my PIN at the self-checkout machines?
    Last Updated: Oct 08, 2021 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • Computers / Equipment
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 858
  • Why am I receiving this newsletter?
    Last Updated: Feb 13, 2020 | Topics:
    • FAQ
    • Libraries
    • Services
    |
    Views: 2526
  • Why do I need my PIN at the self-checkout machines?
    Last Updated: Oct 08, 2021 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • Computers / Equipment
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 858

System Status

Current status of the Library's online systems

Contact Us

phone / email / text hours:

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
12-6 9-6
9-8
9-8
9-8
12-6
10-6
send email
send email more info
call 415-557-4400
call 415-557-4400
send text (sms) to 415-723-4414
send text (sms) to 415-723-4414
eBook / eAudiobook help
eBook / eAudiobook help
suggest a title
suggest a title more info

My Library Account

How do I get a Library Card / Account?
How do I renew an expired account?
How do I change my PIN / password?
How many items may I borrow?
How many items may I hold / reserve?
How long may I keep items?
How do I renew items? Why can't I renew?
How do I replace or pay for lost / damaged items?
Powered by Springshare; All rights reserved.
Report a tech support issue.
Login to LibApps
City of San Francisco seal
Ask A Librarian | Locations | Classic Catalog | Contact | FAQ | Job Openings | Accessibility
Copyright © 2002-2021 San Francisco Public Library. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Internet Use Policies