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Best free perks with a San Francisco Public Library card

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Best free perks with a San Francisco Public Library card


No shhhhh-ing here. The San Francisco Public Library provides free passes to more than 200 California state parks, including Point Lobos State Reserve, where outside voices are completely acceptable.

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You already know that you can check out free books from the San Francisco Public Library. But did you know that’s just the beginning of all you can do with your San Francisco Public Library card?

We spoke to city librarian Michael Lambert and Dolly Goyal, chief of public services for the San Francisco Public library, about the array of free programs and perks linked to the 28 San Francisco Public Library locations, which range from free California state park passes to financial coaching to cultural events like concerts and dance performances. 

Make sure you’re in the know about upcoming events by checking the San Francisco Public Library website or by enrolling in the library’s newsletter. In the meantime, here’s a taste of some of our favorite free activities offered to library card holders through the San Francisco Public Library. 

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Get free passes to California state parks 

If you’re planning a visit to a state park, your San Francisco Public Library card has a pretty sweet benefit: free admission. Simply drop by your local library to check out a pass for over 200 participating state park sites. (Passes are valid for a day-use admission for vehicles with a capacity of 9 passengers or less.) Even though passes are for day-use only, they can be checked out for up to three weeks at a time and can be used for multiple parks. Go ahead: check one out prior to your next road trip. 

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Your library card can get you more than books. Use it to take a walk among redwood trees at Muir Woods National Monument in Mill Valley, Calif.

Your library card can get you more than books. Use it to take a walk among redwood trees at Muir Woods National Monument in Mill Valley, Calif.

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Go on a field trip

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Who says kids should be the only ones to take field trips? People of all ages can participate in a local excursion through the San Francisco Public Library. Lambert and Goyal say that social field trips to local parks like the Presidio or Alcatraz have buses that will shuttle you to and from libraries. The field trips are part of the Summer Stride program, which also includes StoryWalks and Nature Boost Fridays. All events are offered in partnership with the National Parks Service. Space is limited for these fun excursions and you’ll generally need to sign up in person at the hosting library branch, but check upcoming events for details. Recent field trips have included Muir Woods and Rodeo Beach. 

Take a seed, grow a plant. Seed "lending" is one of the more unusual services provided by the San Francisco Public Library. Dig in at the Portrero Hill branch.

Take a seed, grow a plant. Seed “lending” is one of the more unusual services provided by the San Francisco Public Library. Dig in at the Portrero Hill branch.

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Plant a garden 

Can you use a few more vegetables in your diet? (Couldn’t we all?) If so, check out the seed lending library at the Potrero Hill branch. Browse through the seed collection, make your selection and plant them when you get back home. Since planted seeds can’t be returned, patrons are asked to pay it forward by saving seeds from their best crops and bringing them back to the library for someone else to enjoy. 

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Get the kids involved in some truly unique programs

Even the most boredom-prone teens will likely find something to interest them at The Mix, the hub for kids aged 13-18 at the San Francisco Public Library. At the Main Library at 100 Larkin St., during select hours and special events, teens can access a music studio fully equipped with instruments, recording software, amps and mics. They’ll also find a video studio with cameras, green screens, lights and editing software and special events, like 3D printing, boba making, a sourdough starter class and a sewing basics class. While most of the high-tech stuff is at the main branch, there are also special events for teens across all of the San Francisco Public Library locations. You can filter through locations to see what’s coming up in your neighborhood.

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If you want to do something with your younger ones at home, the San Francisco Public Library has online story time resources as well as in-person story time. There are also workshops for younger kids dedicated to hands-on activities like making slime and tie-dye shirts. With so many fun activities, the kiddos might even forget they’re learning new skills. 

Stream television and movies 

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San Francisco Public Library card holders can stream movies and entertainment at home through the Library’s eVideos page. Lambert and Goyal say that while you’re going to find different content than you will on Netflix or Apple TV+, the San Francisco Public Library offers a curated collection you won’t find anywhere else. The collection includes documentaries, musical and dance performances and educational children’s content alongside mainstream movies and television programs. You can also access Kanopy to stream movies and TV with your San Francisco Public Library card.

Research your family history

The General Collections & Humanities Center on the third floor of the Main Library offers an extensive collection of library-use-only materials such as books on British nobility, family crests and instructional guides on genealogical research. If you prefer to do your research in the comfort of your own home, members can also access online databases, newspapers, obituaries, military records and more with their library card. 

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In addition to learning how to podcast, taking a field trip or meeting with a job coach, you can also borrow, browse and read books at the San Francisco Public Library.

In addition to learning how to podcast, taking a field trip or meeting with a job coach, you can also borrow, browse and read books at the San Francisco Public Library.

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Get one-on-one coaching from professionals

The San Francisco Public Library can help you take your career, your finances, your education and your computer skills to the next level with its online and in-person resources. In-person tutorials include career coaching, resume assistance, one-on-one financial coaching with a certified financial coach and support for small business owners. Lambert and Goyal add that with your library card, there are other online resources like free access to LinkedIn Learning, Treehouse and Gale.

Score free tickets to San Francisco museums and attractions

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Don’t let a lack of funds prevent you from exploring the city. The Discover & Go program allows users to make reservations and print free or reduced-cost tickets to the zoo, theaters, museums and more. Residents can reserve tickets or passes up to three months in advance. The number of people admitted varies per attraction, so be sure to check the details before you make your reservation. To snag your tickets, log in with your library card credentials and browse by your desired date or attraction. 

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Take a free class (either in person or online)

The San Francisco Public Library offers a variety of workshops for learners of all ages. Browse through the events calendar and you’ll find everything from guitar lessons for teens, arts and craft workshops and classes in basic Mandarin language and culture for both children and adults. Online classes include California DMV practice tests, language learning through Rosetta Stone and Udemy Video courses focused on business, design and technology. 

The main branch of the San Francisco Public Library.

The main branch of the San Francisco Public Library.

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Enjoy a live performance or special exhibit 

According to Lambert and Goyal, there are more than 18,000 live events at San Francisco Public Library branches each year. These include dance programs, magic shows, readings with authors, concerts, puppet shows and more. 

In addition to live performances, library branches host a rotating roster of special exhibits throughout the year dedicated to fine art, history and culture. Past exhibits have been dedicated to the art of Christopher E. Korman, celebrations of Black hair and the art of Edward Gorey. 

This story was edited by Hearst Newspapers Managing Editor Kristina Moy; you can contact her at kristina.moy@hearst.com.



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San Francisco, CA

San Francisco police arrest 18-year-old, 7 juveniles accused of over 20 retail thefts

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San Francisco police arrest 18-year-old, 7 juveniles accused of over 20 retail thefts


An 18-year-old along with seven juveniles, one as young as 12-years-old, have been arrested in connection with more than 20 retail thefts, San Francisco police announced Thursday.

According to officers, the investigation began following a robbery that took place Sep. 16 at the Walgreens on the 1100 block of Potrero Avenue. Police said several juvenile suspects concealed merchandise and ransacked the store.

When an employee asked the suspects to stop, the employee was attacked and suffered a serious head injury, police said.

During the investigation, officers from the Mission Station Anti-Vendor Enforcement Unit recognized five of the juvenile suspects while investigating an assault that also took place on Sep. 16 at 24th and Mission streets.

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Police said the suspects were taken into custody for the incident at Walgreens.

Investigators reviewed other incidents and noticed similarities in suspect description, victims and motive. With the help of Walgreens Asset Protection, investigators identified eight suspects involved in at least 23 retail thefts at the pharmacy chain’s San Francisco locations.

In a statement Thursday, police listed some of the incidents allegedly linked to the suspects, including an Aug. 18 incident at the store on 1333 Castro Street where one of the suspects jumped over the front counter and stole a cash register and a Sep. 9 incident at the store on 2690 Mission Street in which one of the suspects brandished a firearm at a security guard.

The eight suspects are also linked to two Sep. 29 robberies at the Castro Street location. Police said $15,000 in merchandise was stolen during the first robbery, before the group returned with five additional accomplices and stole another $12,000 in goods about two hours later.

A total of $84,000 in merchandise was stolen, police said.

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The only adult in the case, 18-year-old Brandon McClain of Hayward, was arrested on suspicion of four counts of second degree burglary, four counts of grand theft and four counts of organized retail theft.

Police said the youngest suspect is a 12-year-old boy from San Francisco. The 12-year-old has been charged with assault likely to produce great bodily injury, three counts of second-degree robbery, seven counts of second-degree burglary, seven counts of grand theft, 10 counts of organized retail theft and four counts of petty theft.

The additional suspects have been identified as a 14-year-old male from Pittsburg, two 14-year-old boys from San Francisco, a 15-year-old male from Oakland, a 15-year-old male from Oakley and a 15-year-old male from San Francisco. All of the remaining suspects are facing multiple charges, including second-degree burglary, grand theft and retail theft.

One of the 14-year-olds from San Francisco faces additional charges of assault with a deadly weapon, assault likely to produce great bodily injury and battery causing serious bodily injury.

McClain, along with the 15-year-old from San Francisco, have also been accused of carjacking following a Nov. 5 incident near Geneva and Cayuga avenues.

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According to jail records, McClain is being held without bail and his next court appearance is scheduled for Friday.

The identities of the juvenile suspects are being withheld due to their ages.

Anyone with additional information about these cases is asked to call the SFPD tip line at 415-575-4444 or text TIP411, beginning the message with SFPD.

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San Francisco, CA

Big-rig crash snarls Bay Bridge traffic for hours

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Big-rig crash snarls Bay Bridge traffic for hours


A jackknifed semi-truck blocked four lanes of eastbound Interstate 80 on the Bay Bridge Thursday, causing major delays during the rainy morning commute.

California Highway Patrol officers responded to a report of a solo truck collision at 5:12 a.m. just east of the First Street onramp, according to CHP logs. Officers arrived to learn the driver, who sustained head injuries and was seen limping, had lost control of the vehicle. The driver was taken to a hospital with minor injuries and was in stable condition, the San Francisco Fire Department said in a statement.

The truck suffered major front-end damage but remained upright. Authorities warned it would take hours to clear the wreckage and encouraged drivers to use other routes.



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San Francisco, CA

Atmospheric river forces flight delays, cancelations at SFO

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Atmospheric river forces flight delays, cancelations at SFO


As an atmospheric river makes its way into the Bay Area, flights at San Francisco International Airport have been drastically impacted.

According to Flight Aware, the airport saw more than 430 delays on Wednesday and more than 60 cancellations. With the storm not projected to clear up for a few days, aviation experts said it will impact those beginning their travel for Thanksgiving week.

“If we can’t get out of this weather, which it doesn’t look like we’re going to until sometime next week, all these people could be delayed and probably will be delayed to their destination,” said Mike McCaron, an aviation expert.

Donnie Pascal, who was flying to Florida, and their family had their flight delayed by two hours.

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“I got snacks. I got my phone,” Pascal said.

Some passengers went to SFO to find out their flights were canceled.

As the storm progresses, more flights can be impacted, as the FAA continually reviews the number of planes the airport can accept per hour. Then, airlines have to respond accordingly.

McCaron said he recommends that travelers stay in touch with their carrier and check their flight status via an application.

According to the National Weather Service, several inches of rain have already fallen in the North Bay and are expected to spread further south in the region.

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