FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions - SFPL

How do I access The New York Times outside the library?
Last Updated: Jan 13, 2026 |
Topics:
- eMagazines & eNews
|
Views: 1200409
How do I get a library card?
Last Updated: Apr 02, 2026 |
Topics:
|
Views: 941183
How do I renew my Library Card?
Last Updated: Oct 31, 2024 |
Topics:
|
Views: 384776
Printing, Copying, Scanning, and Faxing at the Library
Last Updated: Apr 29, 2025 |
Topics:
|
Views: 361843
How do I renew my checked out items? Why can't I renew?
Last Updated: Apr 02, 2026 |
Topics:
|
Views: 265082
What documents are required to get a Library Card?
Last Updated: Jan 08, 2026 |
Topics:
- My Account
- Services
|
Views: 172760
What is Hoopla Digital and how does it work?
Last Updated: Feb 02, 2026 |
Topics:
|
Views: 162435
What is Libby by OverDrive and how does it work?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
|
Views: 146377
What is Kanopy and how does it work?
Last Updated: Jan 18, 2025 |
Topics:
- eVideo
- FAQ
|
Views: 131803
How do I use Discover and Go?
Last Updated: Nov 01, 2025 |
Topics:
- FAQ
- Services
|
Views: 102720

How many may I reserve / hold? How many may I borrow? How long may I keep items?
Last Updated: Apr 10, 2026 |
Topics:
|
Views: 50345
What is InterLibrary Loan (ILL) and how does it work?
Last Updated: Apr 08, 2026 |
Topics:
|
Views: 89295
How do I get a library card?
Last Updated: Apr 02, 2026 |
Topics:
|
Views: 941183
How do I renew my checked out items? Why can't I renew?
Last Updated: Apr 02, 2026 |
Topics:
|
Views: 265082
What is Udemy and how do I get started?
Last Updated: Mar 26, 2026 |
Topics:
- eLearning
- eResources
|
Views: 14311
How do I access The Wall Street Journal (wsj.com)?
Last Updated: Mar 18, 2026 |
Topics:
- eMagazines & eNews
|
Views: 8168
Why was my digital hold canceled?
Last Updated: Mar 12, 2026 |
Topics:
- eAudiobooks
- eBooks
|
Views: 56
What is SFPL's Collection Development Plan?
Last Updated: Mar 10, 2026 |
Topics:
|
Views: 14868
How do I change my PIN / Password?
Last Updated: Feb 26, 2026 |
Topics:
|
Views: 93155
Do you have typewriters?
Last Updated: Feb 08, 2026 |
Topics:
- Computers / Equipment
|
Views: 498
Does SFPL offer exam proctoring?
Last Updated: Feb 03, 2026 |
Topics:
- Services
|
Views: 3817
What is Hoopla Digital and how does it work?
Last Updated: Feb 02, 2026 |
Topics:
|
Views: 162435
How long will it take to receive requested items from offsite storage?
Last Updated: Jan 29, 2026 |
Topics:
- Books and Materials
|
Views: 195
How do I pay my fees online?
Last Updated: Jan 27, 2026 |
Topics:
|
Views: 14614
What types of software are included on the library's computers?
Last Updated: Jan 22, 2026 |
Topics:
|
Views: 4028
How do I access The New York Times outside the library?
Last Updated: Jan 13, 2026 |
Topics:
- eMagazines & eNews
|
Views: 1200409
Can I request books to be sent through the mail?
Last Updated: Jan 09, 2026 |
Topics:
|
Views: 2724
Why am I receiving a notice from the San Francisco Treasurer & Tax Collector?

Last Updated: Jan 08, 2026 | Views: 93
What documents are required to get a Library Card?
Last Updated: Jan 08, 2026 |
Topics:
- My Account
- Services
|
Views: 172760
What is the difference between Hoopla's Flex and Instant Borrow?
Last Updated: Dec 30, 2025 |
Topics:
- eAudiobooks
- eBooks
|
Views: 597
How do I renew eBooks and eAudiobooks?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
|
Views: 19521
What apps are available for your eResources?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- eResources
|
Views: 2305
What is Libby by OverDrive and how does it work?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
|
Views: 146377
How do I suggest a title?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
|
Views: 10637
How do I return an ebook or audiobook early?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
|
Views: 11931
What is Adobe Digital Editions and why do I need it?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- eBooks
- eResources
|
Views: 21645
What is Rosetta Stone and how do I get started?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- eResources
|
Views: 21292
What is Treehouse and how do I get an account?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- eLearning
|
Views: 26652
What is KANOPY KIDS and how do I access it?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- eVideo
|
Views: 3221
What is Gale Courses and how do I get started?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- eLearning
- eResources
|
Views: 12354
What is EBSCO Discovery Service?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- eMagazines & eNews
- eResources
|
Views: 1872
What is ABCmouse.com Bring Learning Home?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- eLearning
- eResources
|
Views: 2981
What is O'Reilly for Public Libraries?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
|
Views: 7065
How do I get my ebook or eaudiobook?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- eBooks
|
Views: 4160
What is Peterson's Test Prep and how do I get started?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- eLearning
|
Views: 1251
What is Kanopy's ticket system?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- eResources
- eVideo
|
Views: 1277
How do I transfer eBooks to my Nook ereader?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- eBooks
|
Views: 6916
Can I access my OverDrive history in Libby?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- eAudiobooks
- eBooks
|
Views: 928
What is MyHeritage Library Edition?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- eResources
|
Views: 936
How do I log into Oxford English Dictionary (OED)?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- eResources
|
Views: 1222
What is ProQuest African American Heritage?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- eResources
|
Views: 39
How do I access a supplementary PDF mentioned in my OverDrive audiobook?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- eBooks
|
Views: 377
Why is Libby asking me to verify my PIN?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- eAudiobooks
- eBooks
|
Views: 189
What are tags in Libby and how do I use them?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- eAudiobooks
- eBooks
|
Views: 324
What happened to the Deliver Later feature for my holds in Libby and the OverDrive website?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- eAudiobooks
- eBooks
|
Views: 121
What happened to Boundless?
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 |
Topics:
- eAudiobooks
- eBooks
|
Views: 2880
Can I receive a notice when holds are ready / items are due?
Last Updated: Dec 10, 2025 |
Topics:
|
Views: 5636
Where are my ebooks?
Last Updated: Dec 09, 2025 |
Topics:
|
Views: 7638
My library card is lost or stolen. How do I replace my library card?
Last Updated: Nov 24, 2025 |
Topics:
|
Views: 55320
What is Bibliocommons and why should I use it?
Last Updated: Nov 24, 2025 |
Topics:
- BiblioCommons
- My Account
|
Views: 21158
What is Auto Renew?
Last Updated: Nov 24, 2025 |
Topics:
|
Views: 11228
What is Borrowing History?
Last Updated: Nov 24, 2025 |
Topics:
- BiblioCommons
- My Account
|
Views: 3532
What are my responsibilities as a library cardholder?
Last Updated: Nov 21, 2025 |
Topics:
|
Views: 6510
How do I renew items by phone?
Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 |
Topics:
|
Views: 5024
How much are fees?
Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 |
Topics:
|
Views: 22551
How do I use the Classic Catalog to find items?
Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 |
Topics:
|
Views: 765
How do I login to my online Library account?
Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 |
Topics:
|
Views: 13041
Where can I return items?
Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 |
Topics:
- FAQ
- Services
|
Views: 30697
Can I make photocopies and/or scan items at the library?
Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 |
Topics:
|
Views: 8682
What can I do on the computer I reserve and what types of software are available?
Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 |
Topics:
|
Views: 4130
Does the library lend laptop computers?
Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 |
Topics:
- Computers / Equipment
- Services
|
Views: 22023
How do I donate a book or AV item to the library?
Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 |
Topics:
- Donations
|
Views: 1525
How do I use Discover and Go?
Last Updated: Nov 01, 2025 |
Topics:
- FAQ
- Services
|
Views: 102720
digitalsf.org FAQs
Last Updated: Sep 26, 2025 |
Topics:
- FAQ
|
Views: 128
How do I pay for or replace a Lost or Damaged item?
Last Updated: Sep 20, 2025 |
Topics:
- Borrow Items
- My Account
|
Views: 21245
Which locations have seed lending libraries?
Last Updated: Sep 18, 2025 |
Topics:
- Branches
- FAQ
|
Views: 447
How do I get Kindle Books from Libby by OverDrive?
Last Updated: Sep 12, 2025 |
Topics:
- eBooks
|
Views: 46064
How do I reconnect my Kanopy account after renewing my library account?
Last Updated: Sep 05, 2025 |
Topics:
- eResources
- eVideo
|
Views: 602
Why is my Kanopy account blocked?
Last Updated: Sep 05, 2025 |
Topics:
- eResources
- eVideo
|
Views: 629
How do I access newspapers and magazines on PressReader?
Last Updated: Aug 27, 2025 |
Topics:
- eMagazines & eNews
- eResources
|
Views: 44963
What is the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection?
Last Updated: Aug 26, 2025 |
Topics:
- FAQ
|
Views: 5364
What do I need to know when the OverDrive app sunsets in April 2023?
Last Updated: Jul 11, 2025 |
Topics:
- eAudiobooks
- eBooks
|
Views: 277
Does the library have 3D printers I can use?
Last Updated: Jul 11, 2025 |
Topics:
- Printing
- Services
|
Views: 9025
What is the Scholar Card?
Last Updated: Jun 25, 2025 |
Topics:
- Library Card
- Scholar Card
|
Views: 4452
What is a Teacher Card and how can I get one?
Last Updated: Jun 11, 2025 |
Topics:
|
Views: 13845
How do I use the FOR LATER Shelf?
Last Updated: Jun 11, 2025 |
Topics:
- BiblioCommons
|
Views: 3861
What is "delayed paging"?

Last Updated: Jun 04, 2025 | Views: 306
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: 4037
Printing, Copying, Scanning, and Faxing at the Library
Last Updated: Apr 29, 2025 |
Topics:
|
Views: 361843
What is The MIX?
Last Updated: Apr 01, 2025 |
Topics:
- Main
- Services
|
Views: 2145
What is Excel Adult High School?
Last Updated: Mar 10, 2025 |
Topics:
- FAQ
- Services
|
Views: 1390
What is Flipster and how do I use it?
Last Updated: Feb 20, 2025 |
Topics:
- eMagazines & eNews
- eResources
|
Views: 11030
What is Kanopy and how does it work?
Last Updated: Jan 18, 2025 |
Topics:
- eVideo
- FAQ
|
Views: 131803
How do I reserve a meeting room for my group to use?
Last Updated: Jan 15, 2025 |
Topics:
|
Views: 2980
Can I access Hoopla ebooks on my Kindle Paperwhite?
Last Updated: Dec 30, 2024 |
Topics:
- eBooks
|
Views: 591
Can I print from my own computer or laptop?
Last Updated: Nov 09, 2024 |
Topics:
|
Views: 26521
How do I renew my Library Card?
Last Updated: Oct 31, 2024 |
Topics:
|
Views: 384776
How do I update my address?
Last Updated: Oct 15, 2024 |
Topics:
- FAQ
- My Account
|
Views: 4047
How do I find out if the Library carries a particular magazine, newspaper, or journal?
Last Updated: Jul 31, 2024 |
Topics:
- eMagazines & eNews
|
Views: 919
How do I borrow OverDrive ebooks on a Kobo ereader?
Last Updated: Jun 28, 2024 |
Topics:
- eBooks
|
Views: 5696
Does the library have an archive of the San Francisco Chronicle?
Last Updated: Jun 13, 2024 |
Topics:
- Books and Materials
|
Views: 4006
What is LinkedIn Learning?
Last Updated: Dec 08, 2023 |
Topics:
- eLearning
|
Views: 6432
What is Mango Languages account and how do I create an account?
Last Updated: Dec 05, 2023 |
Topics:
- eLearning
- eResources
|
Views: 13765
What is My China Roots and how do I get started?
Last Updated: Sep 22, 2023 |
Topics:
- eResources
|
Views: 1831
What is happening to the legacy OverDrive app?

Last Updated: Sep 12, 2023 | Views: 2571
Placing a hold/ Reserving an Item
Last Updated: Aug 03, 2023 |
Topics:
|
Views: 17806
What is CAreer Pathways?
Last Updated: Jul 07, 2023 |
Topics:
- eLearning
- eResources
|
Views: 598
Can I get an obituary for...?

Last Updated: Jul 05, 2023 | Views: 385
How do I use Chinese Characters on Library Computers?
Last Updated: Jun 22, 2023 |
Topics:
|
Views: 1812
What is LINK+ and how does it work?
Last Updated: May 25, 2023 |
Topics:
|
Views: 80428

Why am I receiving this newsletter?
Last Updated: Feb 13, 2020 |
Topics:
|
Views: 2825

Why do I need my PIN at the self-checkout machines?
Last Updated: Oct 08, 2021 |
Topics:
|
Views: 1028

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

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?