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San Francisco Main Branch

Hours

Monday
11:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Tuesday
11:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Thursday
11:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Sunday
Noon - 4:00 PM

Located at 1835 Ellis Street in San Francisco, the Jewish Community Library’s main branch is on the campus of the Jewish Community High School of the Bay. The Library contains the largest collection of Jewish resources available to the general public on the West Coast; offers in-person and online programs featuring contemporary authors, scholars, and artists; provides digital content; and provides services supporting Jewish literacy for all ages. In addition to an extensive up-to-date selection of Jewish fiction in English, religious texts and commentary, memoir and biography, history and nonfiction, childrens’ books, movies and music, the San Francisco collection includes numerous works in Hebrew, Yiddish, and Russian, plus a smaller selection of items in Ladino.

Park for Free

San Francisco main branch visitors can park in the gated and guarded facility, located on Pierce Street between Eddy and Ellis Streets (click here for Google Map). As you approach the metal gate, roll down your driver’s side window to press the intercom button on the left side of the driveway. Tell the guard you’re there to visit the library. The building is entered from the second level of the parking garage. Check in with the guard on the first floor; the Library is on the second floor of the building.

Arrive by Foot or Bus

From 1835 Ellis Street

Curbside parking is also available on Ellis Street, where walk-in visitors can enter through the facility’s street-level gate. The Library is within four blocks of the 22 Fillmore, 24 Divisadero, 31 Balboa, 38 Geary, and 38R Geary Rapid San Francisco Muni bus lines. 

24-Hour Drop Box

Can’t make it during Library hours? To the right of the walk-in street-level entrance at 1835 Ellis Street is a large black metal drop box. Library materials deposited here will be checked in within 72 hours.