News

SAN FRANCISCO — Attention all Bay Area musicians: San Francisco Public Library’s (SFPL’s) free music streaming platform, Bay Beats, is reopening its annual submission round for artists across the Bay.

From March 1 through May 31, 2026, musicians across all genres, from jazz to soul, rap to rock, classical to world, New Age to noise and everything in between, have the chance to feature their music for streaming on Bay Beats as well as receive a $300 honorarium.

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.

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) presents Tax Season Success this February and March, a series of expert-led, accessible and educational workshops designed to provide equitable resources and extensive insights for the 2026 tax season. 

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! 

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.

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.

 San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) presents More Than a Month, its Black History Month programming series, showcasing Black history, culture and creativity. Throughout January and February, and beyond, SFPL offers a dynamic lineup of programs including author talks, exhibits, music, arts and crafts, book clubs, films and more. 

SAN FRANCISCO – The African American Center of the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL), in collaboration with Sistah Scifi and Brother-Story, hosts “Divine Forces: Exploring the Power of the Orishas” on Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 12:30 to 5 p.m. at the Main Library.

Ten years ago, a spark of glitter and imagination lit up the San Francisco Public Library when Drag Story Hour (DSH) was born. On Sunday, December 14, 2025, that spark returns home for a full-day celebration at the San Francisco Public Library Main Library, marking 10 years of storytelling, creativity, and queer joy.