FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions - SFPL

How do I get a library card?
Last Updated: Sep 30, 2024 |
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Views: 845639
How do I access The New York Times?
Last Updated: Aug 26, 2024 |
Topics:
- eMagazines & eNews
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Views: 720574
How do I renew my Library Card?
Last Updated: Oct 31, 2024 |
Topics:
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Views: 315635
How do I renew my checked out items? Why can't I renew?
Last Updated: Oct 31, 2024 |
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Views: 248839
Printing, Copying, Scanning, and Faxing at the Library
Last Updated: Oct 25, 2024 |
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Views: 212292
What is Hoopla Digital and how does it work?
Last Updated: Aug 22, 2022 |
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Views: 151687
What documents are required to get a Library Card?
Last Updated: Oct 19, 2024 |
Topics:
- My Account
- Services
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Views: 140804
What is Libby by OverDrive and how does it work?
Last Updated: Nov 06, 2023 |
Topics:
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Views: 140043
What is Kanopy and how does it work?
Last Updated: Nov 21, 2023 |
Topics:
- eVideo
- FAQ
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Views: 122301
How do I print in the library and how much does it cost?
Last Updated: Apr 02, 2021 |
Topics:
- Printing
- Services
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Views: 79015

How do I renew my checked out items? Why can't I renew?
Last Updated: Oct 31, 2024 |
Topics:
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Views: 248839
How do I renew my Library Card?
Last Updated: Oct 31, 2024 |
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Views: 315635
What is the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection?
Last Updated: Oct 29, 2024 |
Topics:
- FAQ
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Views: 4199
How do I pay for or replace a Lost or Damaged item?
Last Updated: Oct 28, 2024 |
Topics:
- Borrow Items
- My Account
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Views: 17746
Printing, Copying, Scanning, and Faxing at the Library
Last Updated: Oct 25, 2024 |
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Views: 212292
What is Career Online High School?
Last Updated: Oct 22, 2024 |
Topics:
- FAQ
- Services
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Views: 1119
What documents are required to get a Library Card?
Last Updated: Oct 19, 2024 |
Topics:
- My Account
- Services
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Views: 140804
How do I pay my fees online?
Last Updated: Oct 15, 2024 |
Topics:
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Views: 11583
How do I update my address?
Last Updated: Oct 15, 2024 |
Topics:
- FAQ
- My Account
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Views: 3087
How do I get a library card?
Last Updated: Sep 30, 2024 |
Topics:
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Views: 845639
Can I request books to be sent through the mail?
Last Updated: Sep 14, 2024 |
Topics:
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Views: 2139
What is ABCmouse.com Bring Learning Home?
Last Updated: Sep 06, 2024 |
Topics:
- eLearning
- eResources
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Views: 2349
What is Udemy and how do I get started?
Last Updated: Aug 30, 2024 |
Topics:
- eLearning
- eResources
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Views: 11368
How do I access The New York Times?
Last Updated: Aug 26, 2024 |
Topics:
- eMagazines & eNews
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Views: 720574
How do I log into Oxford English Dictionary (OED)?
Last Updated: Aug 26, 2024 |
Topics:
- eResources
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Views: 463
How do I find out if the Library carries a particular magazine, newspaper, or journal?
Last Updated: Jul 31, 2024 |
Topics:
- eMagazines & eNews
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Views: 121
How do I suggest a title?
Last Updated: Jul 22, 2024 |
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Views: 8499
What types of software are included on the library's computers?
Last Updated: Jul 16, 2024 |
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Views: 3223
What is InterLibrary Loan (ILL) and how does it work?
Last Updated: Jul 10, 2024 |
Topics:
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Views: 71572
How do I transfer eBooks to my Nook ereader?
Last Updated: Jun 28, 2024 |
Topics:
- eBooks
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Views: 5823
What is Adobe Digital Editions and why do I need it?
Last Updated: Jun 28, 2024 |
Topics:
- eBooks
- eResources
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Views: 19772
How do I borrow OverDrive ebooks on a Kobo ereader?
Last Updated: Jun 28, 2024 |
Topics:
- eBooks
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Views: 4286
How do I get Kindle Books from Libby by OverDrive?
Last Updated: Jun 17, 2024 |
Topics:
- eBooks
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Views: 41199
Does the library have an archive of the San Francisco Chronicle?
Last Updated: Jun 13, 2024 |
Topics:
- Books and Materials
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Views: 3203
How many may I reserve / hold? How many may I borrow? How long may I keep items?
Last Updated: May 25, 2024 |
Topics:
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Views: 41995
Does the library lend laptop computers?
Last Updated: May 16, 2024 |
Topics:
- Computers / Equipment
- Services
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Views: 20324
Can I receive notification via text message of holds ready to pickup and items due back?
Last Updated: Apr 09, 2024 |
Topics:
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Views: 22115
How do I access an EPUB/PDF-formatted ebook from Boundless?
Last Updated: Apr 05, 2024 |
Topics:
- eBooks
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Views: 35121
How do I return an ebook early?
Last Updated: Apr 05, 2024 |
Topics:
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Views: 10831
How do I reconnect my Kanopy account after renewing my library account?

Last Updated: Mar 22, 2024 | Views: 182
How do I renew eBooks and eAudiobooks?
Last Updated: Feb 26, 2024 |
Topics:
- eBooks
- FAQ
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Views: 18383
What is Peterson's Test Prep and how do I get started?
Last Updated: Feb 13, 2024 |
Topics:
- eLearning
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Views: 653
What is the Scholar Card?
Last Updated: Feb 09, 2024 |
Topics:
- Library Card
- Scholar Card
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Views: 2992
My library card is lost or stolen. How do I replace my library card?
Last Updated: Feb 01, 2024 |
Topics:
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Views: 47634
How do I donate a book or AV item to the library?
Last Updated: Jan 30, 2024 |
Topics:
- Donations
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Views: 486
How do I access newspapers and magazines on PressReader?
Last Updated: Jan 22, 2024 |
Topics:
- eMagazines & eNews
- eResources
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Views: 39580
What is Flipster and how do I use it?
Last Updated: Jan 19, 2024 |
Topics:
- eMagazines & eNews
- eResources
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Views: 9558
What apps are available for your eResources?
Last Updated: Jan 12, 2024 |
Topics:
- eResources
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Views: 1592
What is Auto Renew?
Last Updated: Dec 14, 2023 |
Topics:
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Views: 9662
What is Gale Courses and how do I get started?
Last Updated: Dec 08, 2023 |
Topics:
- eLearning
- eResources
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Views: 10215
What is Treehouse and how do I get an account?
Last Updated: Dec 08, 2023 |
Topics:
- eLearning
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Views: 22759
What is LinkedIn Learning?
Last Updated: Dec 08, 2023 |
Topics:
- eLearning
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Views: 5046
What is Mango Languages account and how do I create an account?
Last Updated: Dec 05, 2023 |
Topics:
- eLearning
- eResources
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Views: 10641
What is Rosetta Stone and how do I get started?
Last Updated: Dec 05, 2023 |
Topics:
- eResources
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Views: 17403
What is SFPL's Collection Development Plan?
Last Updated: Nov 30, 2023 |
Topics:
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Views: 12097
What is Kanopy and how does it work?
Last Updated: Nov 21, 2023 |
Topics:
- eVideo
- FAQ
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Views: 122301
Where are my ebooks?
Last Updated: Nov 21, 2023 |
Topics:
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Views: 5811
What is Bibliocommons and why should I use it?
Last Updated: Nov 06, 2023 |
Topics:
- BiblioCommons
- My Account
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Views: 17921
What is SimplyE?
Last Updated: Nov 06, 2023 |
Topics:
- eAudiobooks
- eBooks
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Views: 15071
How do I get my ebook or eaudiobook?
Last Updated: Nov 06, 2023 |
Topics:
- eBooks
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Views: 3360
What is Libby by OverDrive and how does it work?
Last Updated: Nov 06, 2023 |
Topics:
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Views: 140043
What is Kanopy's ticket system?
Last Updated: Nov 01, 2023 |
Topics:
- eResources
- eVideo
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Views: 420
What is Boundless and what happened to Axis 360?
Last Updated: Oct 25, 2023 |
Topics:
- eAudiobooks
- eBooks
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Views: 6470
What is MyHeritage Library Edition?
Last Updated: Sep 22, 2023 |
Topics:
- eResources
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Views: 486
What is My China Roots and how do I get started?
Last Updated: Sep 22, 2023 |
Topics:
- eResources
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Views: 1187
What is a Teacher Card and how can I get one?
Last Updated: Sep 20, 2023 |
Topics:
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Views: 11676
What is happening to the legacy OverDrive app?

Last Updated: Sep 12, 2023 | Views: 2327
What is The MIX?
Last Updated: Aug 14, 2023 |
Topics:
- Main
- Services
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Views: 1438
Placing a hold/ Reserving an Item
Last Updated: Aug 03, 2023 |
Topics:
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Views: 15781
What do I need to know when the OverDrive app sunsets in April 2023?
Last Updated: Jul 07, 2023 |
Topics:
- eAudiobooks
- eBooks
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Views: 143
What is CAreer Pathways?
Last Updated: Jul 07, 2023 |
Topics:
- eLearning
- eResources
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Views: 370
What is "delayed paging"?

Last Updated: Jul 05, 2023 | Views: 139
Can I get an obituary for...?

Last Updated: Jul 05, 2023 | Views: 223
How do I use Chinese Characters on Library Computers?
Last Updated: Jun 22, 2023 |
Topics:
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Views: 1462
What is LINK+ and how does it work?
Last Updated: May 25, 2023 |
Topics:
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Views: 64128
How do I remove items from my Borrowing History?
Last Updated: Mar 07, 2023 |
Topics:
- BiblioCommons
- Books and Materials
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Views: 6452
How does the SFPL Book Stop work and where is it located?
Last Updated: Feb 22, 2023 |
Topics:
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Views: 915
How do I manage requests / holds using my Classic Catalog account?
Last Updated: Feb 11, 2023 |
Topics:
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Views: 7130
Does the library take donations of money?
Last Updated: Feb 07, 2023 |
Topics:
- Donations
- Library Administration
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Views: 7253
What are my responsibilities as a library cardholder?
Last Updated: Feb 06, 2023 |
Topics:
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Views: 5506
How much are fees?
Last Updated: Jan 31, 2023 |
Topics:
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Views: 21592
How do I get a notification about a Suggested Title arriving at SFPL?
Last Updated: Dec 23, 2022 |
Topics:
- Books and Materials
- Holds / Reserves
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Views: 1081
Can I access my OverDrive history in Libby?

Last Updated: Dec 12, 2022 | Views: 604
What should I read?
Last Updated: Dec 07, 2022 |
Topics:
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Views: 274
Is there an “Add to Apple Wallet” option for library cards?
Last Updated: Nov 29, 2022 |
Topics:
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Views: 2114
How do I renew items by phone?
Last Updated: Nov 16, 2022 |
Topics:
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Views: 4330
What can I do on the computer I reserve and what types of software are available?
Last Updated: Nov 10, 2022 |
Topics:
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Views: 3320
What happened to OverDrive's automatic checkout of holds?
Last Updated: Aug 22, 2022 |
Topics:
- eAudiobooks
- eBooks
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Views: 1017
What is Hoopla Digital and how does it work?
Last Updated: Aug 22, 2022 |
Topics:
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Views: 151687
What is BCAF and how do I get started?

Last Updated: Jul 29, 2022 | Views: 600
Why do I have to visit in person to get a library card?
Last Updated: Jul 25, 2022 |
Topics:
- My Account
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Views: 17442
What was the Tech It Forward laptop donation program?
Last Updated: Jul 06, 2022 |
Topics:
- Donations
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Views: 1080
What time does the Library open / close?
Last Updated: Apr 20, 2022 |
Topics:
- About
- Libraries
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Views: 2525
Can I receive a notice when holds are ready / items are due?
Last Updated: Apr 20, 2022 |
Topics:
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Views: 4649
What happens when an item is overdue?
Last Updated: Apr 19, 2022 |
Topics:
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Views: 8331
Does SFPL offer exam proctoring?
Last Updated: Mar 23, 2022 |
Topics:
- Services
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Views: 3027
What is the Lucky Day Collection?
Last Updated: Feb 22, 2022 |
Topics:
- Books and Materials
- Borrow Items
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Views: 7058
What is Borrowing History?
Last Updated: Feb 08, 2022 |
Topics:
- BiblioCommons
- My Account
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Views: 2958
How do I reserve a meeting room for my group to use?
Last Updated: Jan 05, 2022 |
Topics:
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Views: 2049
Where can I return items?
Last Updated: Dec 29, 2021 |
Topics:
- FAQ
- Services
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Views: 26975
How do I use Discover and Go?
Last Updated: Dec 22, 2021 |
Topics:
- FAQ
- Services
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Views: 77625
Mission Construction Q & A
Last Updated: Nov 19, 2021 |
Topics:
- Branches
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Views: 889
How do I change my PIN / Password?
Last Updated: Oct 13, 2021 |
Topics:
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Views: 72117
Why do I need my PIN at the self-checkout machines?
Last Updated: Oct 08, 2021 |
Topics:
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Views: 804
How do I do a Preferred Search?
Last Updated: Oct 06, 2021 |
Topics:
- Books and Materials
- Classic Catalog
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Views: 2945
What are the plans for the Mission Branch Library Renovation?
Last Updated: Sep 20, 2021 |
Topics:
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Views: 737
Why does air quality affect SFPL operations? Why do some branches close during heavy smoke events?
Last Updated: Aug 30, 2021 |
Topics:
- Library Administration
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Views: 464
What is Enki eBooks?
Last Updated: Aug 30, 2021 |
Topics:
- eBooks
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Views: 1416
Are there opportunities to volunteer at the Library?
Last Updated: Aug 30, 2021 |
Topics:
- About
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Views: 3407
What Library facilities have air conditioning?
Last Updated: Aug 25, 2021 |
Topics:
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Views: 1097

Why am I receiving this newsletter?
Last Updated: Feb 13, 2020 |
Topics:
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Views: 2426

Why do I need my PIN at the self-checkout machines?
Last Updated: Oct 08, 2021 |
Topics:
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Views: 804

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

12-6

10-6

send email

call 415-557-4400

send text (sms) to 415-723-4414

eBook / eAudiobook help

suggest a title

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?