Libraries are one of my favorite places! This library offers a haven amid a busy area. The staff is friendly and helpful. While small, it offers a lot, including books, movies, CDs, events, computers (laptops you can rent), and more. read more

See all

I was over 35 years old when I visited this library...actually probably closer to 40 years old...I didn't know about the Haight Ashbury public library in the neighborhood...it's nice...it's notable for 60s books and music...well mostly music...American music history...on the weekend...for kids teenagers...where are they? i'm here read more

Park Branch Library - Libraries Near Me - San Francisco, California

Calming branch with wonderful staff. Large movie and music selection and incredibly clean. read more

See all

I have lived in the Haight for almost 12 years and totally appreciate our small library in the neighborhood. Park Branch is located right off Haight Street on the quiet street of Page, lined by lots of beautiful trees. Some folks may be turned off by our unhoused neighbors that hang out inside but, personally, I love that the library is welcome to all. It is one of the past places where folks can congregate without the pressures of capitalism that force them to spend money they (may not) have. I find the staff here always friendly and able to help me find whatever I need. All folks with a library card get $2 worth of printing for free everyday! read more

I love this library. The librarians are all super helpful and friendly. It is clean and organized. There are different patrons there. Keep in mind it is open to the public' and I've never had a negative experience. read more

The Park Branch Library is in the heart of the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood & the library is easily accessible by the N MUNI line as it is a short walk from where it drops you off. The Park Branch Library is on a single floor that you access by walking up a flight of stairs. The library showcases it's storied past w/ some posters of the Haight-Ashbury Free Clinic & celebrating the Summer of Love for which the neighborhood is famous. Overall a smart selection of books & media yet easily the crest jewel of this library is the smart selection of Vinyl. I was always a cassette & CD guy yet appreciate that the Vinyl is available here as appreciate that it allows for more cover art along w/ linear notes due to it's bigger size. To give you a feel of the programs available at this branch here are some things on offer this month including a workshop examining the history of race during the Civil War, an interactive African Dance workshop, & an Open Mic Poetry & Music evening including food & drink. Nice library in the Haight & worth a visit! read more

See all

My partner and I came in here to use the restroom while on a walk. I passed by this place several times and never realized it was a library so I never went in. It is such a cute place to check out books. The bathroom placement is a bit awkward as it's in the middle of the library and from outside the door you can hear when people flush. Other than that, it was fine. read more

It's a small branch library in a homey neighborhood with sun-dappled streets, conveniently located by Golden Gate Park. I love all the honey walnut wood inside the building; you couldn't afford to build a public library like this in our generation. Parking in this Upper Haight neighborhood can be very challenging so either be prepared to hunt - or walk and take a bus home which is our preferred way. The library staff is solicitous and they'll order any book you want from the Main Library or other branches; I saw a lot of books waiting for pick-up. Selection at this small branch is limited. That said, it has a decent children's book selection, a very service-oriented staff and a small children's play area in the back of the library. read more

Park Branch Library - This book looks interesting- "One City, One Book" program. - Libraries Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Extremely loud library and it doesn't help that the librarians are equally as loud as the children running and screaming. Don't come here if you want to do some studying. At least there are large tables and nice open windows. read more

Having recently moved from North Beach to NoPa, the Park Branch library is now the closest library to me, and easily accessible via the 43 bus. It's located in a beautiful, old building on a quiet street and has been filled with people reading at the tables every time I've visited. The staff is hit or miss in terms of friendliness, and will mostly leave you to your own devices. I do prefer the North Beach library which was my old neighborhood library, but I generally request specific books online and just drop by to pick them up using the self check-out, so am not hanging out at the library for longer than a few minutes at a time so the Park Branch library suits my purposes. Conveniently located near Haight St if you want to do some shopping, and also close to a Whole Foods. read more

I spoke to Anita on the phone and she was so pleasant to speak with! She took the time to give me a list of places that have study rooms and I am so appreciative! Thank you so much Anita! read more

Tuckey away behind Haight, this has become my local library. While I'm not keen on its limited hours (Tuesday and Wednesday being the only days the library is open later), I like the location and general look of the library. Bonus: It's equipped with self-check out machines and the holds are kept out on the shelves. Maybe most of the libraries are like this, but when you're used to the North Beach library, these all seem luxuries. read more

The librarians have always been kind, friendly and helpful to my family. Pre-COVID it was a great place for the kids to learn to use their voice and ask the librarians for recommendations and assistance. That's a good life skill on its own. Now it's re-opened in Covid mode and the online holds are so convenient. I'm really happy we have this awesome neighborhood resource. The Summer Stride weekly raffle is always fun. I hope there can be something like that post-COVID too. read more

You know how sometimes when you walk around the Haight you run into insane people who talk to themselves really loudly and try to engage you in conversation when you're clearly not interested in being bothered at the moment? Well... imagine those same people hanging out in a space that is supposed to be quiet and a type of haven from the outside world. Yeah. Not so good, right? Really large children's section here with dirty toys and stuffed animals. Gross. UPDATE: Apparently, some of the CDs that I returned in the book drop were swiped. Guess who is going to have to pay $20-something for each disc? THIS SUCKER!! During this whole nightmarish book debacle, the librarians at this branch have really been helpful and patient, though. I only wish that they had a camera in place outside to see who the thieving bastards are, though. I'm coming to the library to check out music ... obviously I'm not one who wants/can frickin' PAY for it. Very disappointing. read more

I *love* our Park branch of the SF Library! I love the convenient drop off box out front. I love that the ceiling is so beautifully painted - it's always inspiring. My kids and I love the cozy children's area, with its excellent selection of books and music. The staff here is really super - they care a lot. For example, one of the staff members called our house yesterday to tell me that my kid had left his favorite baseball hat at the library and we could retrieve it at the Lost and Found. Where else in the City would anyone take the time to do that?! Thanks, whoever you were - that was super awesome and we appreciate it! The staff picks are always good, too, and I almost always leave here with something good that I wouldn't have found if left to my own devices. Some other reviewer complained about the homeless folks and/or hippies who frequent the library. Um, really?! Have you noticed this is a PUBLIC library, not your own, personal living room or a private country club?! Give me a break. As reviewer Tony T said, "It's a 'Public' library - deal with it." No one has ever bothered either me or my kids here: on the contrary, I've only had safe and friendly interactions here. read more

So I have the misfortune of living exactly equidistant from two branches of the library (each a mile away), two Walgreenses (each about a half-mile away), and two post offices (each about three-quarters of a mile away). How amazing is that? I know there aren't many post offices in the city, and the library branches are in pretty weird spots, but Walgreenses? There are like fifteen Walgreenses per square mile in the rest of the city. (And yes, Walgreenses is the appropriate plural form of Walgreens. That'll teach them to omit the apostrophe.) So back to the Park Branch of the library. It's an old building that's pretty different inside from what you expect from the outside. There are posters on the walls from various Haight Street festivals and other memorabilia from the Haight. It's usually pretty empty. To be honest, I've never browsed the stacks here because I usually do my browsing at the Main Library. I basically return all my library books here, and the only problem I've run into with that is that they're not open every day, so one time I got charged an extra ten cents because my book wasn't scanned in until a day later. Big deal. More money for the library is fine by me. I'm really glad this place is on Page Street, which really is one of the Haight's gems. Really close to Haight but also really quiet. I guess by writing a review here, I'm alerting more people to this place's presence, but that's OK too. read more

I love libraries but... I went to the library at Park Branch forr my first library experience in SF and it made me miss libraries in my hometown- Toronto so much! The staff is horrible here and it 's very visible they are paid to be here. When I went to ask one of the librarians about a book, I was greeted with a sigh and a hint of annoyance. I don't know..maybe she was having a bad day?? I was feeling homesick that day, so this place perpetuated my feeling and made me not want to hang at this place. Sadly, this branch is very close to me, but I do not feel the welcome feel so I take my holds and run. read more

Small, Good light, Open late on Tuesday-Wednesday, And has single so so public bathroom. read more

Kind people work here. I've Lived in the San Francisco area on and off for 20 years and really appreciate how the librarians at this location go the extra mile for you. Great job! read more

How can you not like any of the San Francisco library. yes there are sometimes homeless people, but it's a 'Public' library, deal with it. I love browsing the video section to find random movies, pick up magazines and sit down for a hour to read. Browse the staff picks and take leap of faith and try a book someone recommends. I often walk out with 10 books. Love any of the local branches read more

Probably the loudest library I've ever been too, the staff is constantly talking, there's always a bunch of homeless in here with their dogs. Would avoid if you need to study read more

I came here because Google told me, it would be a library with parking. No parking at all, only blocks far away. I don't like this library at all, MANY homeless people are sitting on the stairs. Moreover, inside are also weird and some smelly people. It's all in all a very small library, SF offers way better ones. The only good thing was the nice lady trying to find a specific book, which was unfortunately lost though. Definitely not coming again.... read more

Positives: Easy to get to from my house, friendly staff and easy check-out process, especially if you request books ahead of time. Negatives: Dirty and small, loiterers in and outside of the library, weird hours (not open on Sundays and every day has different hours). I give it four stars because I use the Park Branch library a lot and I don't want it to close. read more

The Park Side library branch sucks. There are other SF library branches to go to. Why this one suck is because you are greeted by some homeless people sitting on the stairs outside the library. Inside you see some hippies here that you should not side next to because many of them smell. Also the bathroom smells disgusting and nasty. The only thing I like about this library is that there is free wifi here and I also can find some really cool children's DVDs. Try not to come to this SF branch if you can. Go to another branch. read more

Park Branch Library - Libraries Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

I like the Park Branch Library, though I think that's more of a reflection of my liking the city's library program than anything specific about this particular branch. I live closest to Park Branch, so I pretty regularly put books, DVDs, and CDs on hold there; it's a great resource to have. There is a pretty decent selection of books at this branch, though it is a tad limited. (That's why I put so much stuff on hold.) There are some downsides. The employees range from polite and competent to completely rude and unhelpful. The homeless situation is not the most ideal thing in the world, but it's understandable; libraries are a good, safe space, and though it can be a tad unpleasant at times, it's not too bad in the grand scheme of things. All in all, I like this library, but beware the limited number of items and the few abrasive employees. read more

Verrrrrry friendly staff. Small-ish selection. Don't be scared off by the homeless folks. This is the Haight after all.

The only complaint I have of this branch is the staff at the desks do not know when to just be quiet. Not only are they loud but they talk about none sense that has nothing to do with their work. Their worse than the ladies on the THE VIEW!! read more

Nice quiet space to get some work done, they have big tables and lots of chairs plus a computer station. Clean and well-kept, a lot better than some other libraries and not crowded at all when I went (around 1:30 on a Thursday). Most people are there to get work done (as was I), didn't see a lot of people reading. Staff was a bit chatty on occasion which was a bit annoying since I was trying to work, but it wasn't for very long. I didn't take too long of a look at their books, but they seem to have a nice selection of various genres. They also have bathrooms that are big and clean. Located one street away from Haight so I could walk around there for food to take a break. Nicely lit, will definitely come back again to get some work done, a good energizing atmosphere. read more

Not a fan of this library due to the homeless situation. You can't really sit down because there's either someone nearby that stinks or the seat you want to sit in stinks. It's e closest thng to a branch of the Main Library a.k.a. Main Homeless Shelter. This city has so many libraries that it's easy to skip this one. read more

Very nice remodle. The refinished oak wood looks great. So does the sky painted ceiling. The book selection is great. The kids selection of pict books is fantastic. Lots of new and near new books that are hits with my 3 and 5 year old girls. Great job! You have to deal with the very fragrant homeless guantlet just to get in. There are frequently vagrants smoking pot and hovering just outside the front door with thier requisite pit bulls. Can you really be cool with out a mangy pit bull? I pity the librarians that have to deal with all the vagabonds. read more

I've been to 4 libraries in SF and this is my favorite one. Why? The location is nice, Page st. is a beautiful street and close to the Panhandle so if you want to go take a break in the park you're right next to it. The selection of books is my favorite, although pretty small they do have lots of interesting books and recommendations. The only con: it's right next to haight st. so expect a continuous flow of vagabond jumping in to go to the restroom (only one and unisex available) or just collapse on a chair. Not a problem for me, just get a spot far from the toilet so you don't have to be disturbed every two seconds. read more

i love libraries (well mainly that they are free and offer so much) so i'm not going to give it less than four stars. the building was nice and sunny and the librarians friendly. free wifi and all that, my complaint is that i didn't see very many outlets. like i only saw one power strip? so that makes it not ideal for a work area, which surprised me. i'll try the main branch next time. read more

I like this library for a few reasons: it's close to my apartment, it's open late a few nights a week, it's small, the staff was friendly to me, it's in a cool building ... however, the selection is not as great as the other larger libraries. It was easy to find what I wanted, nice and quiet, and unimposing. read more

This library may be old and out of date, but it is getting a modern upgrade! Hopefully when it reopens people will find it a great space with everything you would expect from a modern library, but still contained in the original historic architecture. Task lights, ample outlets at the workstations, secure after-hours book drops, rejuvenated finishes, better circulation, and on and on... This was made possible by our Bond money approved by voters. Yay for libraries and yay for us for holding onto what is important and improving it for the sake of the neighborhood! read more

I have visited the Park branch twice now, and both visits were very unpleasant. Bottom line, staff is rude. When the alarm went off during my exit, you would have thought I was trying to steal a computer. I then received the rudest lesson on how to use the self-check out. I will be taking the bus in search of a new library. This branch is no good! read more