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FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions - SFPL

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  • Topics
    • 4About
    • 21BiblioCommons
    • 22Books and Materials
    • 21Borrow Items
    • 8Branches
    • 11Classic Catalog
    • 3Collection Development
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  • How do I access The New York Times outside the library?
    Last Updated: Jan 13, 2026 | Topics:
    • eMagazines & eNews
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    Views: 1178704
  • How do I get a library card?
    Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • FAQ
    • Library Card
    • My Account
    • Services
    |
    Views: 935076
  • How do I renew my Library Card?
    Last Updated: Oct 31, 2024 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • My Account
    • Services
    |
    Views: 379158
  • Printing, Copying, Scanning, and Faxing at the Library
    Last Updated: Apr 29, 2025 | Topics:
    • Computers / Equipment
    • Printing
    • Services
    |
    Views: 352023
  • How do I renew my checked out items? Why can't I renew?
    Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • My Account
    • Services
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    Views: 263983
  • What documents are required to get a Library Card?
    Last Updated: Jan 08, 2026 | Topics:
    • My Account
    • Services
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    Views: 170719
  • What is Hoopla Digital and how does it work?
    Last Updated: Feb 02, 2026 | Topics:
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    • eMusic
    • eVideo
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    Views: 161435
  • What is Libby by OverDrive and how does it work?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    • eVideo
    • FAQ
    |
    Views: 145909
  • What is Kanopy and how does it work?
    Last Updated: Jan 18, 2025 | Topics:
    • eVideo
    • FAQ
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    Views: 131363
  • How do I use Discover and Go?
    Last Updated: Nov 01, 2025 | Topics:
    • FAQ
    • Services
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    Views: 101086
  • How do I change my PIN / Password?
    Last Updated: Feb 26, 2026 | Topics:
    • Classic Catalog
    • Computers / Equipment
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 91808
  • What is SFPL's Collection Development Plan?
    Last Updated: Feb 25, 2026 | Topics:
    • Books and Materials
    • Collection Development
    • Library Administration
    |
    Views: 14733
  • Do you have typewriters?
    Last Updated: Feb 08, 2026 | Topics:
    • Computers / Equipment
    |
    Views: 475
  • Does SFPL offer exam proctoring?
    Last Updated: Feb 03, 2026 | Topics:
    • Services
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    Views: 3782
  • What is Hoopla Digital and how does it work?
    Last Updated: Feb 02, 2026 | Topics:
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    • eMusic
    • eVideo
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    Views: 161435
  • How long will it take to receive requested items from offsite storage?
    Last Updated: Jan 29, 2026 | Topics:
    • Books and Materials
    |
    Views: 187
  • How do I pay my fees online?
    Last Updated: Jan 27, 2026 | Topics:
    • Classic Catalog
    • FAQ
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 14492
  • What types of software are included on the library's computers?
    Last Updated: Jan 22, 2026 | Topics:
    • Computers / Equipment
    • FAQ
    • Services
    |
    Views: 3963
  • Why was my digital hold canceled?
    Last Updated: Jan 21, 2026 | Topics:
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 24
  • How do I access The New York Times outside the library?
    Last Updated: Jan 13, 2026 | Topics:
    • eMagazines & eNews
    |
    Views: 1178704
  • Can I request books to be sent through the mail?
    Last Updated: Jan 09, 2026 | Topics:
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    • Services
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    Views: 2696
  • Why am I receiving a notice from the San Francisco Treasurer & Tax Collector?
    Last Updated: Jan 08, 2026 | Views: 76
  • What documents are required to get a Library Card?
    Last Updated: Jan 08, 2026 | Topics:
    • My Account
    • Services
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    Views: 170719
  • What is the difference between Hoopla's Flex and Instant Borrow?
    Last Updated: Dec 30, 2025 | Topics:
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
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    Views: 433
  • How many may I reserve / hold? How many may I borrow? How long may I keep items?
    Last Updated: Dec 20, 2025 | Topics:
    • Books and Materials
    • Borrow Items
    • eBooks
    • FAQ
    • Services
    |
    Views: 49860
  • How do I renew eBooks and eAudiobooks?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    • FAQ
    |
    Views: 19469
  • What apps are available for your eResources?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eResources
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    Views: 2278
  • What is Libby by OverDrive and how does it work?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    • eVideo
    • FAQ
    |
    Views: 145909
  • How do I suggest a title?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • BiblioCommons
    • Books and Materials
    • Collection Development
    • My Account
    • Services
    |
    Views: 10461
  • How do I return an ebook or audiobook early?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • Books and Materials
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 11894
  • What is Adobe Digital Editions and why do I need it?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eBooks
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 21551
  • What is Rosetta Stone and how do I get started?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 21064
  • What is Treehouse and how do I get an account?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eLearning
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    Views: 26440
  • What is KANOPY KIDS and how do I access it?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eVideo
    |
    Views: 3175
  • What is Gale Courses and how do I get started?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eLearning
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 12236
  • What is EBSCO Discovery Service?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eMagazines & eNews
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 1828
  • What is ABCmouse.com Bring Learning Home?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eLearning
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 2933
  • What is Udemy and how do I get started?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eLearning
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 14167
  • What is O'Reilly for Public Libraries?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eBooks
    • eLearning
    • eVideo
    |
    Views: 7009
  • How do I get my ebook or eaudiobook?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 4130
  • What is Peterson's Test Prep and how do I get started?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eLearning
    |
    Views: 1227
  • What is Kanopy's ticket system?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eResources
    • eVideo
    |
    Views: 1168
  • How do I transfer eBooks to my Nook ereader?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eBooks
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    Views: 6825
  • Can I access my OverDrive history in Libby?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 910
  • What is MyHeritage Library Edition?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 903
  • How do I log into Oxford English Dictionary (OED)?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 1172
  • What is ProQuest African American Heritage?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 31
  • How do I access The Wall Street Journal (wsj.com)?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eMagazines & eNews
    |
    Views: 7589
  • How do I access a supplementary PDF mentioned in my OverDrive audiobook?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 343
  • Why is Libby asking me to verify my PIN?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 170
  • What are tags in Libby and how do I use them?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 299
  • What happened to the Deliver Later feature for my holds in Libby and the OverDrive website?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 116
  • What happened to Boundless?
    Last Updated: Dec 17, 2025 | Topics:
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 2602
  • Can I receive a notice when holds are ready / items are due?
    Last Updated: Dec 10, 2025 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • My Account
    • Notices
    • Services
    |
    Views: 5575
  • Where are my ebooks?
    Last Updated: Dec 09, 2025 | Topics:
    • eBooks
    • FAQ
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 7467
  • My library card is lost or stolen. How do I replace my library card?
    Last Updated: Nov 24, 2025 | Topics:
    • eBooks
    • Library Card
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 54720
  • What is Bibliocommons and why should I use it?
    Last Updated: Nov 24, 2025 | Topics:
    • BiblioCommons
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 21011
  • What is Auto Renew?
    Last Updated: Nov 24, 2025 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • My Account
    • Notices
    |
    Views: 11116
  • What is Borrowing History?
    Last Updated: Nov 24, 2025 | Topics:
    • BiblioCommons
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 3512
  • What are my responsibilities as a library cardholder?
    Last Updated: Nov 21, 2025 | Topics:
    • About
    • Borrow Items
    • FAQ
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 6459
  • How do I get a library card?
    Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • FAQ
    • Library Card
    • My Account
    • Services
    |
    Views: 935076
  • How do I renew items by phone?
    Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • My Account
    • Services
    |
    Views: 4980
  • How much are fees?
    Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • Fees / Charges
    • Services
    |
    Views: 22476
  • How do I renew my checked out items? Why can't I renew?
    Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • My Account
    • Services
    |
    Views: 263983
  • How do I use the Classic Catalog to find items?
    Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 | Topics:
    • Books and Materials
    • Classic Catalog
    • FAQ
    |
    Views: 755
  • How do I login to my online Library account?
    Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 | Topics:
    • BiblioCommons
    • Classic Catalog
    • My Account
    • Services
    |
    Views: 12782
  • Where can I return items?
    Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 | Topics:
    • FAQ
    • Services
    |
    Views: 30483
  • Can I make photocopies and/or scan items at the library?
    Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 | Topics:
    • Branches
    • Computers / Equipment
    • Main
    • Services
    |
    Views: 8654
  • What can I do on the computer I reserve and what types of software are available?
    Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 | Topics:
    • Computers / Equipment
    • FAQ
    • Services
    |
    Views: 4070
  • What is InterLibrary Loan (ILL) and how does it work?
    Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 | Topics:
    • Books and Materials
    • Borrow Items
    • FAQ
    • InterLibrary Loan
    • Libraries
    • Main
    • Services
    |
    Views: 88037
  • Does the library lend laptop computers?
    Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 | Topics:
    • Computers / Equipment
    • Services
    |
    Views: 21926
  • How do I donate a book or AV item to the library?
    Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025 | Topics:
    • Donations
    |
    Views: 1451
  • How do I use Discover and Go?
    Last Updated: Nov 01, 2025 | Topics:
    • FAQ
    • Services
    |
    Views: 101086
  • digitalsf.org FAQs
    Last Updated: Sep 26, 2025 | Topics:
    • FAQ
    |
    Views: 115
  • How do I pay for or replace a Lost or Damaged item?
    Last Updated: Sep 20, 2025 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 21029
  • Which locations have seed lending libraries?
    Last Updated: Sep 18, 2025 | Topics:
    • Branches
    • FAQ
    |
    Views: 352
  • How do I get Kindle Books from Libby by OverDrive?
    Last Updated: Sep 12, 2025 | Topics:
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 45791
  • How do I reconnect my Kanopy account after renewing my library account?
    Last Updated: Sep 05, 2025 | Topics:
    • eResources
    • eVideo
    |
    Views: 582
  • Why is my Kanopy account blocked?
    Last Updated: Sep 05, 2025 | Topics:
    • eResources
    • eVideo
    |
    Views: 597
  • How do I access newspapers and magazines on PressReader?
    Last Updated: Aug 27, 2025 | Topics:
    • eMagazines & eNews
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 44690
  • What is the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection?
    Last Updated: Aug 26, 2025 | Topics:
    • FAQ
    |
    Views: 5314
  • What do I need to know when the OverDrive app sunsets in April 2023?
    Last Updated: Jul 11, 2025 | Topics:
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 272
  • Does the library have 3D printers I can use?
    Last Updated: Jul 11, 2025 | Topics:
    • Printing
    • Services
    |
    Views: 8786
  • What is the Scholar Card?
    Last Updated: Jun 25, 2025 | Topics:
    • Library Card
    • Scholar Card
    |
    Views: 4389
  • What is a Teacher Card and how can I get one?
    Last Updated: Jun 11, 2025 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • FAQ
    • Holds / Reserves
    |
    Views: 13625
  • How do I use the FOR LATER Shelf?
    Last Updated: Jun 11, 2025 | Topics:
    • BiblioCommons
    |
    Views: 3852
  • What is "delayed paging"?
    Last Updated: Jun 04, 2025 | Views: 301
  • What should I do if I return something to SFPL that belongs to another library?
    Last Updated: Apr 30, 2025 | Topics:
    • Books and Materials
    |
    Views: 4006
  • Printing, Copying, Scanning, and Faxing at the Library
    Last Updated: Apr 29, 2025 | Topics:
    • Computers / Equipment
    • Printing
    • Services
    |
    Views: 352023
  • What is The MIX?
    Last Updated: Apr 01, 2025 | Topics:
    • Main
    • Services
    |
    Views: 2103
  • What is Excel Adult High School?
    Last Updated: Mar 10, 2025 | Topics:
    • FAQ
    • Services
    |
    Views: 1389
  • What is Flipster and how do I use it?
    Last Updated: Feb 20, 2025 | Topics:
    • eMagazines & eNews
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 10958
  • What is Kanopy and how does it work?
    Last Updated: Jan 18, 2025 | Topics:
    • eVideo
    • FAQ
    |
    Views: 131363
  • How do I reserve a meeting room for my group to use?
    Last Updated: Jan 15, 2025 | Topics:
    • Branches
    • Main
    • Services
    |
    Views: 2928
  • Can I access Hoopla ebooks on my Kindle Paperwhite?
    Last Updated: Dec 30, 2024 | Topics:
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 545
  • Can I print from my own computer or laptop?
    Last Updated: Nov 09, 2024 | Topics:
    • Computers / Equipment
    • Printing
    • Services
    |
    Views: 26438
  • How do I renew my Library Card?
    Last Updated: Oct 31, 2024 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • My Account
    • Services
    |
    Views: 379158
  • How do I update my address?
    Last Updated: Oct 15, 2024 | Topics:
    • FAQ
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 3997
  • How do I find out if the Library carries a particular magazine, newspaper, or journal?
    Last Updated: Jul 31, 2024 | Topics:
    • eMagazines & eNews
    |
    Views: 862
  • How do I borrow OverDrive ebooks on a Kobo ereader?
    Last Updated: Jun 28, 2024 | Topics:
    • eBooks
    |
    Views: 5609
  • Does the library have an archive of the San Francisco Chronicle?
    Last Updated: Jun 13, 2024 | Topics:
    • Books and Materials
    |
    Views: 3959
  • What is LinkedIn Learning?
    Last Updated: Dec 08, 2023 | Topics:
    • eLearning
    |
    Views: 6376
  • What is Mango Languages account and how do I create an account?
    Last Updated: Dec 05, 2023 | Topics:
    • eLearning
    • eResources
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    Views: 13634
  • What is My China Roots and how do I get started?
    Last Updated: Sep 22, 2023 | Topics:
    • eResources
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    Views: 1803
  • What is happening to the legacy OverDrive app?
    Last Updated: Sep 12, 2023 | Views: 2554
  • Placing a hold/ Reserving an Item
    Last Updated: Aug 03, 2023 | Topics:
    • BiblioCommons
    • Books and Materials
    • Borrow Items
    • Holds / Reserves
    |
    Views: 17690
  • What is CAreer Pathways?
    Last Updated: Jul 07, 2023 | Topics:
    • eLearning
    • eResources
    |
    Views: 592
  • Can I get an obituary for...?
    Last Updated: Jul 05, 2023 | Views: 374
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    Last Updated: Jun 22, 2023 | Topics:
    • Computers / Equipment
    • FAQ
    • Services
    |
    Views: 1799
  • What is LINK+ and how does it work?
    Last Updated: May 25, 2023 | Topics:
    • Books and Materials
    • FAQ
    • InterLibrary Loan
    • Services
    |
    Views: 79388
  • Why am I receiving this newsletter?
    Last Updated: Feb 13, 2020 | Topics:
    • FAQ
    • Libraries
    • Services
    |
    Views: 2795
  • Why do I need my PIN at the self-checkout machines?
    Last Updated: Oct 08, 2021 | Topics:
    • Borrow Items
    • Computers / Equipment
    • My Account
    |
    Views: 1019

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