Read to Recovery

Early 2022: SFPL expanded its circulating collection of recovery books to ensure there would be a good selection at every location for the public to check out.

Spring and Summer 2022: Supervisor Matt Dorsey (District 6) released his plan, SF Recovers, which outlined how City departments might coordinate addiction recovery efforts in San Francisco. 

Summer 2022: SFPL proposes a partnership with Supervisor Dorsey’s office to acquire books on recovering from addiction, which would be free to take by any visitor to the Library.

Spring 2023: The Main Library, Park and Mission Bay Branches begins distributing Read to Recovery books.

Winter 2023: Eureka Valley Branch begins distributing Read to Recovery books.

Summer 2024: SF's Board of Supervisors formally establishes the Library Read to Recovery Program to provide at the Main Library and all Library branches free written materials and books from mutual-help programs, for individuals who seek recovery from substance-use disorders and non-substance-related addictive disorders.

Fall 2024: Mayor London Breed signed into law legislation that will make books on addiction recovery free of charge at all city libraries, making it the first city in the country to fund universal access of free-to-keep literature related to all recovery traditions. 

2024—2025 (ongoing): Read to Recovery expands to all branches.

When did we start offering these recovery resources to the community? 

San Francisco Public Library presented the free Read to Recovery program to the Library Commission in April 2023 and had over 500 books available that month for patrons to take. The official launch of Read to Recovery was in October 2023. 

In November 2021, in response to patron demand and as a way to make a positive contribution to the City's ongoing addiction and overdose crisis, library staff suggested building up the Library's collection of circulating recovery program and self-help books. In partnership with District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey's office, the program evolved into book distribution at selected Library locations. SFPL's International Languages Center, Access Services, and the Collection Development Office all pitched in to help with selection and purchase of recovery titles. 

Because physical copies of recovery literature are so valuable to the journey to recovery—giving people the ability to mark up and highlight text—the idea evolved into giving away copies of books. In order to remove barriers to access, no library card is needed to take Read to Recovery books. In addition, SFPL continues to offer a robust collection of titles for check out with a library card.

How many books have we given away to date? 

In FY 2023, SFPL gave away 542 books (mostly English and some Spanish). In FY24, the Library gave away 3703 books. 

How many different titles do you have available for people to take? 

It depends on the location. SFPL keeps up with replenishment as much as possible.. At Park Branch, for example, there are 29 distinct titles and at the Main Library, there are just over 40. The books cycle in and out depending on demand, though, so there’s often a varied selection. 

What are the most popular titles? 

At the Main Library, AA Big Book, Narcotics Anonymous (in English), Refuge Recovery, and The Zen of Recovery. 

What languages are the books offered in? 

English, Chinese and Spanish.

How is the program funded? 

Read to Recovery is funded through the Library Preservation Fund (see S.F. Charter § 16.109), which voters renewed through 2048 with the passage of Proposition F in November 2022.

Where does SFPL purchase the books? 

SFPL purchases the books from City-approved vendors, just like the regular Library collections.

How can I contact someone if I have more questions? 

Send an email to info@sfpl.org with "Read to Recovery" in the subject line and your question will be directed to someone who can assist you.