What is the Scholar Card?

Last Updated: Feb 25, 2025 Views: 3418

What is the Scholar Card?

San Francisco Public Library partners with the San Francisco Unified School District to provide every student a full access public library account: the Scholar Card. This program is also available to local charter, independent and parochial schools in the City and County of San Francisco.  We want all San Francisco youth to have an active library account, feel welcome and become super users of their public library.

How does the Scholar Card support student learning?

The Scholar Card simplifies the library card application process and connects students to millions of FREE resources, including:

Computer use & $2 of free copying/printing per card per day

Online homework help

Language learning tools

Research databases

Museum passes

Books, graphic novels and manga, music & movies

Streaming movies & music

eBooks, news & magazines

How does it work?

The Library and SFUSD have a signed data use agreement to provide student directory information to create a full access library card for each student.  Each semester the Library emails each student their Scholar Card account information, also known as their library card number. This means no paper applications or waiting.

What if a student already has a library card?

Many students have an existing library card. Students will receive two emails each school year with their library card account information. They will see no change in their account.

What do I need to know about borrowing privileges?

The Scholar Card follows the same guidelines as other library cards. Learn more.

I am a SFUSD teacher. How can I get my students a physical library card?

All SFUSD students have an active library card account. Contact your local librarian to coordinate getting physical library cards for your class.  Be sure to inquire about making a special field trip to the library to help your students become familiar with using their library cards. Our librarians are happy to host a class visit or make a special visit to your school.

What if I do not want my child to receive a Scholar Card?

A parent or guardian may complete a form to opt out of the Scholar Card.

Not a SFUSD student?

The Library has worked with San Francisco charter, independent and parochial schools to create a data use agreement to issue library cards to their students.  Contact Michelle Jeffers, michelle.jeffers@sfpl.org, Chief of Community Programs and Partnerships to learn more.