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    Excelsior Branch Library

    4.1 (42 reviews)
    Closed 1:00 pm - 6:00 PM

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    Community events..
    Jennifer O.

    This branch library is a calm little oasis in the hubbub of busy Mission Street in the Excelsior. Once in the door, a community board greets you and it's filled with events like Mandarin storytelling for tots, homework tutoring hours, tax preparation help and more. It's impressive that a small branch library has so much going on, kudos to the librarians. I spied a librarian and plead guilty to books and movies being overdue (the SFPL no longer assesses late fees but their emails were understandably getting insistent I give their stuff back!) She renewed everything so I could get my borrowing privileges restored and pointed me to the English language stacks of non-fiction. They have a sizable section of Mandarin language books and a sweet children's area with toddler-sized tables and chairs. Reading nooks are built into little corners, padded benches perfect for reading a few pages or just taking a breath before heading back out to the streets of San Francisco. I now prefer the branch libraries to the Main; the Main has become too much of a gauntlet avoiding homeless and the smell of urine or bleach, the stench so disgustingly potent it lingers on the soles of your shoes. You can always have your books held and likewise returned at whatever branch is convenient.

    ~ HAPPY STAR WARS DAY AND MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU ~
    William B.

    Hi Yelpers and Yelpettes I am back... I am very happy that this excelsior street area has a library which is close to home... The one thing that I like most about this library... Is the event when they had Star Wars Day which was a cool thing to see!!! When ever I go to this library... The books that I like reading is the travel books, history of the San Francisco Giants and exc!!! And its my 1st yelp review to start off the New Year Of January 2020!!! Not only that this is my yelp review #595 5 more yelp reviews to reach #600!!!

    Shane S.

    The Excelsior Branch Library is served by plenty of bus lines yet the nearest BART station is Glen Park BART station. The library is on the first floor. It is a small library yet a good selection of items are available. Seemed pretty popular as was pretty full when I went there on a weekday afternoon. There are several programs that happen at this branch: Knitting groups Yoga classes Movie nights Book clubs arts & crafts night cooking classes computer help Of special note is a short walk from here on Mission St & Harrington St is a plaque to commemorate the life & legacy of Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead for the front man of this legendary jam band was raised in the Excelsior neighborhood.

    M L.

    Wait! Here's an idea...Instead of using Barnes & Noble as your own personal library, why not use your local public library as...um...your library? There one can find magazines, newspapers and books and you can loiter all you want. Use their computers to check your MySpace! Yes! There's more! You can even check out DVDs and CDs for FREE! Don't fret...If you don't find what you're looking for, you can request items online and have them transfered to your branch and put on hold for you to pick up at your convenience! Minus one star for the occasional douchebag looking at porn on the library computer. The library should block those sites, especially since there are always kids nearby.

    Good times to know!
    Robert F.

    3 stars are meant only because this place is library in the middle of the always busy Mission District. Very small and not the best selection in an capacity. If the effort of getting quality books here was the same as the getting a library at this location then I think this place would be alright. But, because that is not apparent this place is less than appealing. I just expect more from libraries. By far, this is the worst library that I have been to. Oh yeah, be careful in the bathrooms because CREEPERS will sneak up on YOU! Not cool at all.

    Dyan M.

    The staff are nice but when it come to afternoon, noises are everywhere inside the library. Especially childrens going inside. But I love the library. It is just the noise that bothered me

    Spending time here on my birthday... peace and quiet at times but kids are a bit hyper.

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    16 years ago

    even better then you remodel it, love this place sometime when you just want to get away and read a couple of books or magazines....

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    11 years ago

    Noisy and dirty.....feel like in a supermarket when I'm studying here. And the restroom is small and not so clean.

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    18 years ago

    opens till 9pm mon-wed, can't complain there.

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    Ask the Community - Excelsior Branch Library

    Do you have a copy of rest is resistance?

    Hi Janet. Here is the catalog entry for this item. https://sfpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S93C5512556 It looks like all circulating copies of this title are checked out right now, but there is a reference copy for in-library use at the Main… Read more

    Does this library open to public yet? I am thinking to come here to study from time to time

    yes, excelsior branch is open now but be sure to check our temporary COVID hours https://sfpl.org/locations/excelsior Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a-5:30 p thanks

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Excelsior Branch Library

    I grabbed my books off the hold shelf and went straight to the self checkout station then headed out the door.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Mechanics' Institute Library and Chess Room - Across the street from Crocker Galleria

    Mechanics' Institute Library and Chess Room

    4.5(66 reviews)
    4.6 miFinancial District

    Chess tournaments held here and it's kind of difficult to find if you are not familiar with…read moredowntown SF. The elevator looks original and the stairs are tight but look grand. The sitting area is tight but sufficient and there are outlets for computers and chargers.

    Since being unemployed in the Bay Area thanks to recent layoffs... I've taken the opportunity to…read moreexplore the city during the weekday. Specifically to do things that are only possible on the weekdays. Like exploring some historic buildings! The Mechanics Institute is one of the oldest institutions on the West Coast and this particular building had been around since 1910. It is a members only building, but they hold free public tours on Wednesdays at 12 pm weekly (sign up available online through their website): - During the tour you'll learn a little bit about the history of both the institution and SF, but you'll also learn about what it does today. You'll get to see the chess room, library, and some art deco architecture elements like the spiral staircase and glass dome ceiling. The Chess Room was fascinating since they talk about some notable members, like how the author of Queen's Gambit was a member of their Chess Club. - The tour time can range anywhere from 30 min to 1 hr depending on the questions that come up. However, they allow you to spend time afterwards exploring the library (or taking photos of the staircase) so you can hang out afterwards to look books, old magazines, or admire the collection of artwork they have on the walls. - During the tour you can go up / down the spiral staircase, but there is an elevator present for those who have difficulty walking up the floors. However some parts of the tour had us going through the library shelves and navigating stairs among the shelves. - Although the tour is an opportunity for them to showcase membership benefits... they are NOT pushy at all about selling memberships. However, if I were living near/in the city and working remotely... a membership would be a good option. It's very affordable compared to other private memberships and it's a quieter library than most public these days. They also have great WiFi and rooms available to do video conferencing, so it's a more affordable option than places like WeWork while still being in the city. Plus you can probably leave your stuff behind to run to the restroom quickly... something you can't really do working in free public places like a cafe or public library. This is on top of other benefits like members only events, etc. Honestly, this is a hidden gem in the city with historic significance - if I lived closer to the city and had a remote job, I would definitely look into getting a membership. Public libraries are still great, but I can see the benefits of a private library like this one. Cheers to funemployment and getting the opportunity to explore SF buildings!

    Photos
    Mechanics' Institute Library and Chess Room - Mother Road  ~ Featuring Octavio Solis and David Mendizábal {5/22/2024}

    Mother Road ~ Featuring Octavio Solis and David Mendizábal {5/22/2024}

    Mechanics' Institute Library and Chess Room - Lunar New Year and The Year of the Dragon: What Will It Bring?  Maxine Hong Kingston, David Lei, and Linda Lei.{2/1/2024}

    Lunar New Year and The Year of the Dragon: What Will It Bring? Maxine Hong Kingston, David Lei, and Linda Lei.{2/1/2024}

    Mechanics' Institute Library and Chess Room - Chess room

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    Chess room

    Chinatown Branch Library - Beautiful location.

    Chinatown Branch Library

    4.1(51 reviews)
    4.9 miNob Hill

    Wonderful service! Cute activities for kids, families, adults, and seniors. I've gotten craft…read moreprojects I could do at home like embroidery, and they also offer in-library events and movie screenings! I come here often for their printer and request many books online in the SFPL system and then they are delivered here, waiting for me! There's 2 levels and something for everyone. I love how it's near Chinatown so I can get food or boba nearby. It's on a cable car line so it's always a fun time! I've provided entertainment for many a tourist when they see me carrying too many books.

    The SF Chinatown library is much smaller than expected, but it's well maintained and quiet inside…read more Peaceful tables and chairs. They even have a staffs recommended books section which stands out on the shelves. Convenient stop. Public restroom was very clean and one spacious area for sure. They really did a good job here with the organizing of books and upkeep. Nothing fancy, but for Chinatown, it's a very lovely building from the outside which blends in well with the neighborhood architectures. Staffs are friendly and helpful as needed. I don't mind visiting again just to read a bit more Chinese fiction books or read more newspapers and magazines in the back. No cellphones, so just be respectful if you really have to make calls or do something with your mobile devices/phones. The place isn't huge and aisles were pretty narrow, but the book selections are worth checking out. You can find useful resources inside and ads/marketing/events listings by the entrance area. I'll be back.

    Photos
    Chinatown Branch Library - Chinatown branch SFPL Explorer map sticker

    Chinatown branch SFPL Explorer map sticker

    Chinatown Branch Library
    Chinatown Branch Library - Old and historic library for San Francisco Chinatown.

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    Old and historic library for San Francisco Chinatown.

    Excelsior Branch Library - libraries - Updated May 2026

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