News

San Francisco Public Library Leads National Initiative to Expand Library Access for Incarcerated People

February 13, 2026

SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco Public Library (SFPL), in partnership with the American Library Association (ALA) , is leading a groundbreaking national effort to expand access to books, information and professional library services for incarcerated individuals and people reentering their communities. Supported by more than $4 million from the Mellon Foundation, SFPL launched the Expanding Information Access for Incarcerated People initiative to address the urgent and growing need for equitable information access in carceral settings.

Pride In Panels: SF Queer Comics Festival Returns to San Francisco

January 22, 2026

SAN FRANCISCO – Attention all lovers of indie comics, queer art, and original storytelling: the comics festival of your dreams is back for round two!  Pride in Panels: SF Queer Comics Festival, the premiere biennial showcase of LGBTQIA+ comics creators from the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, is returning to the Main Branch of the San Francisco Public Library on Sunday, February 15th 2026, 12-5pm,. There will also be two days of satellite events leading up to the main festival! 

Local Literary Organizations and Mayor Announce San Francisco Youth Poet Laureate

January 15, 2026

SAN FRANCISCO — In a vibrant celebration of youth and the power of poetry, the San Francisco Public Library, 826 Valencia and Youth Speaks, alongside Mayor Daniel Lurie, invite the public to an electrifying poetry performance on Friday, January 23, when the City’s new Youth Poet Laureate and Vice Laureate will be announced. The event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m.

Celebrate the Year of the Horse with San Francisco Public Library

January 14, 2026

San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) announces a full lineup of free, all-ages festivities in celebration of Lunar New Year. In Chinese culture, 2026 marks the year of the Fire Horse, a symbol of intensity, independence, transformation and dramatic change—themes that the Library draws upon for its programming throughout January and February.