Friends of the SFPL
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  • Support Us
    • Donate
    • Leadership Circle
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    • The Pacifics
    • Gift of appreciated stock
    • Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)
    • Other ways to give
    • Library Preservation Fund
  • Laureates
    • Laureates 2025
    • The Laureates Afterparty
  • What We Fund
  • Buy & Donate Books
    • Bookstore
    • Donate Books
  • Store
  • Events
  • Residencies
    • Lisa Brown and Daniel Handler Residency ​
    • James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Fellowship
  • Volunteer
  • West Portal Memorial Donation
  • About Us
    • 60+ Years of Friends
    • Board
    • Staff
    • Our Supporters
    • Financials
    • Blog >
      • History Series
    • Employment
    • Contact Us
    • Sign-Up for Newsletter
  • Support Us
    • Donate
    • Leadership Circle
    • Innovation Circle
    • Leave a Legacy Gift
    • The Pacifics
    • Gift of appreciated stock
    • Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)
    • Other ways to give
    • Library Preservation Fund
  • Laureates
    • Laureates 2025
    • The Laureates Afterparty
  • What We Fund
  • Buy & Donate Books
    • Bookstore
    • Donate Books
  • Store
  • Events
  • Residencies
    • Lisa Brown and Daniel Handler Residency ​
    • James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Fellowship
  • Volunteer
  • West Portal Memorial Donation
VOLUNTEER
For 60 years, volunteers have been the heart and soul of our organization, raising funds and advocating for our Library's life-enriching programs and services. Friends offers many volunteer opportunities for individuals, community/school groups, and corporate teams of any size. 
Please review the information & guidelines below before submitting your volunteer inquiry. 

General Information:  
  • Volunteer opportunities are primarily weekdays during regular business hours. 
  • Currently there are no volunteer hours weekdays after 5 pm. 
  • Weekend volunteering is only available one Saturday a Month at our Donation Center. 
  • Current volunteer opportunities require a 6-month commitment.  
 
Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate the following requests: 
  • Short term volunteer requests to work off SFMTA Parking Tickets. 
  • Large group requests to work one day only on a specific date. 
  • Volunteering after 5 pm weekdays at our donation center as we are closed.  
  • Volunteering weekends at our Donation Center as we are closed with one exception (see below.) 
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
FRIENDS BOOKSTORE AT THE MAIN LIBRARY
Duties include greeting and engaging the public with great customer service, operating the cash register, charge and debit card machines, stocking books, receiving and directing phone calls. Must be 18 years of age or over. This is an ongoing volunteer activity with a commitment to one or more three-hour shifts per week. Due to the training and level of responsibility involved, Friends asks volunteers to make a six-month commitment. 

Location: Main Library at 100 Larkin Street. The bookstore is located at the 30 Grove Entrance.  

ONLINE SALES
Once a week, help pull books that have been sold online and get them ready to get shipped off to their new home. Responsibilities also include listing books on our online sales platforms for patrons to view and purchase. If you love independent and quiet work then this is the opportunity for you.

Location: 1630 17th Street

BOOK DONATION CENTER
Contribute to our book operations by processing the book and media donations we receive, check book values online and support with pop-up book sales. Your efforts here will help us prepare materials to be sold at our Friends Bookstore at the Main and online.

Location: 1630 17th Street

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Friends! Check out the impact volunteers had in our organization last year, and help us make this year even better!
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PRIVACY POLICY
Your privacy is important to us. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and safeguard the personal information you provide when interacting with our website. We collect personal information, such as your name and email address, when you voluntarily provide it through newsletter signups, donation forms, volunteer interest forms, or other direct communications. This information is used solely to fulfill your requests—such as sending you our newsletter, processing your donation, responding to your inquiry, or following up on your interest in volunteering. If you make a donation, we may retain your contact information to send a confirmation receipt, acknowledge your contribution, and keep you informed about the impact of your support—only if you opt in to receive such communications. Submitting your email for our newsletter or other forms of contact is always optional and based on your consent.

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. Your data is securely stored and accessible only to authorized personnel for the purposes outlined above. We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure your information remains protected against unauthorized access or disclosure. By using our website and providing your personal information, you consent to the terms of this Privacy Policy. You may opt out of communications at any time by following the unsubscribe link in our emails or contacting us directly.

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is used, please contact us at [email protected]. 


​ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES &
Donation center Location
1630 17TH STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107

​Administrative Phone: (415) 626-7500
BOOK DONATION CENTER: (415) 522-8606 

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​Tax ID Number:
 94-6085452 
©2021 Friends of the San Francisco Public Library