San Francisco libraries return to seven-day service

Anyone wanting to do some summer reading at any of the San Francisco library branches can now so every day.

The San Francisco Public Library is adding an additional day of service at nine library branches that include the Anza, Bernal Heights, Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial, Golden Gate Valley, North Beach, Ocean View, Parkside, Potrero and Presidio branches.

Mayor Ed Lee, joined by City Librarian Luis Herrera and Supervisor Jeff Sheehy, announced the expanded day and library branch hours at the Glen Park Library branch. Lee said:

“When you get your free library card, you can learn about to 70 languages. You get a high school diploma online if you want or you can even check out the free New York Times if you want to read the New York Times.”

In addition to the expanded day of service at nine library branches, six branches will extend its hours including the Bayview/Linda Brooks-Burton, Glen Park, Ingleside, Mission Bay, Portola and Visitacion Valley branches.

Lee said the extended hours will be permanent.

According to the San Francisco Public Library, all library branches will open now at a minimum of 50 hours each week thanks in part to the additional hours. The City’s Main Library already opens a total of 60 hours each week.

Sheehy has three public library branches in District 8 including the Glen Park Library. He said the extended hours will provide more time for kids to read and participate in the library’s annual Summer Stride program.

Kids who participate in the summer program can keep track on the number of books read and time spent in the library. Kids can enter a weekly raffle at their library branch where they can win tickets to sporting events and to museums.

Funding for the expanded library hours was part of The City’s 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 budget, approved by the Board of Supervisors and signed by Lee last year.

The new library hours went into effect last Saturday. Click here for all library hours of all branches.