San Francisco, CA
Best free perks with a San Francisco Public Library card
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.
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.
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.
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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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.
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.
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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.
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Symphony hosts ‘Dia de los Muertos' event
San Francisco, CA
Boston Red Sox Named Ideal Landing Spot for San Francisco Giants Pitcher
The offseason has started for the San Francisco Giants, as they are going to be trying to improve and snap their playoff drought.
It has been a tough couple of seasons for the Giants, and they are hoping that new leadership at the top will help result in some positive changes. Landing the superstars in free agency has been a struggle for San Francisco, as they have missed out on players like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani in recent years.
With Buster Posey in charge now, the hope is that he will be able to convince some of the elite players to come to the Giants. While San Francisco will be looking to add some talent, preferably in the lineup, they did have one of the free agent signings from last offseason opt out in Blake Snell.
The southpaw signed just before the start of the season, and it really impacted his effectiveness on the mound at the start of the campaign. However, he really turned it around in the second half of the season and decided to opt out and test free agency once again this offseason.
Snell is likely going to receive the big contract that he desired last offseason, as his new deal should be north of $100 million. Even though he had a good second half of the season with the Giants, it doesn’t appear like he is going to be returning to San Francisco.
Recently, Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report named the Boston Red Sox as the ideal landing spot for the southpaw.
“The Red Sox need an ace. The Red Sox also have an aversion to doing long-term deals in free agency. The fit with Snell is good just from these perspectives, and it doesn’t hurt that he also has a track record of success in the AL East.”
The Red Sox are certainly going to be a team in the mix for one of the best pitchers on the market, as they have a clear need for an ace. Snell is familiar with the American League East from his time with the Tampa Bay Rays, as he had some very successful seasons there.
With the division being really competitive, Boston knows what they need to spend in order to compete, and Snell makes a lot of sense for them.
For the Giants, while their left-hander did well for them in the second half, the money that it would cost to keep him would likely be better allocated to their lineup.
San Francisco, CA
Dev Patel look-alike contest to be held in San Francisco
Three women are taking their love of actor Dev Patel and turning it into a contest.
The friends are organizing a Dev Patel look-alike contest in San Francisco on Nov. 10 at the Miguel Hidalgo Statue in Dolores Park.
They got the idea after a similar event was held in New York City for Timothee Chalamet. That event drew thousands of people, including the star himself.
The organizers of the San Francisco event say they don’t expect Patel to show up, but they are expecting to meet some of his doppelgangers.
“I feel like everyone has met someone, that even remotely looks like Dev Patel or kind of has the same facial features, structure,” organizer Tasnim Khandakar said. “So, I also felt like there is also a lot of diversity here in San Francisco Bay Area. So, it feels like a kind of a good way to celebrate the actor and the people who live here.”
The women say they created the event, expecting a small gathering. But, now more than 140 people have RSVP’d.
“We’re ready for it, we’re prepared for it, we’re excited,” organizer Sitara Bellam said.
The winner of the contest will get $50, presented on a large check and a “Monkey Man” statue.
“I think we’re looking for someone who is really passionate about this too. I don’t think you have to look exactly like Dev Patel,” Khandakar said.
Bellam added: “It’s got to be like a guy that’s written by women, that vibe. You know, the ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ ‘Mr. Darcy’ vibe. I feel like that’s the Dev Patel energy.”
The contest starts at 1 p.m.
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