Turn off your computers and TVs and read a book of poetry.

β€”Al Young, California Poet Laureate

Book Stores


Each year, Friends receives nearly half a million donated books, which we in turn resell to the public through two bookstores:

Book Bay Main


Book Bay Fort Mason


Members ONLY-Labor Day Sale!

Friends Members receive 30% off at Book Bay Fort Mason and Book Bay Main, September 3rd-6th, during our Member Labor Day Sale Sale! 

Show your membership or Bonus Bookstore card and pick up some choice reading material

*Please note that Book Bay Main is closed on Monday, September 6th. 

Offer can not be combined with other discounts and does not apply to greeting cards or origami boxes.

Now available at Book Stores

Friends of the SF Public Library Book Bay gift cards & frequent buyer star cards!

Purchase re-usable gift cards for any amount and use them in either store. Pick up your free star card with any $5 or higher purchase – collect stars for every $5 you buy. When the card is full of stars, turn it in to receive $5 off your next purchase!

New!

Join Book Bay Bookstores on Facebook and Twitter for great finds from our Donation Center, info on upcoming book sales, NLC updates and more!

Featured Sections

Book Bay Fort Mason

 Sept
 On Reading & Writing
 Oct  Torture, Death & the Undead
 Nov  Great Cities of the World
 Dec  Arts Between the Wars


Book May Main

 Sept
 True Crime
 Oct
 The Mystery & Romance of the Sea
 Nov
 Creatures, Real & Imaginary
 Dec  Audiobooks


Friends also organizes a number of book sales – including the largest book sale on the west coast, the Big Book Sale and monthly Steps Sales.

All proceeds benefit the Library and many books are donated to schools and other non-profit organizations. Notable books are offered to the special collections of the Library. 

For information on volunteering at the Book Bay stores, click here.

Looking for our list of Bonus Bookstores that are part of our membership program?  Click here