Services

Your Account

• Get a Library card
  • Follow this link to submit an online application form. IMPORTANT: Once you have your card number, you’ll need to set up a password before you can use it. You can do that here.
• Get an Institutional Library Card
• Renew items
• Checkout rules

Personalized Reading Recommendations

Do you need a bunch of books for yourself, your family, preschool or daycare classroom, or for distance learners? Fill out this form and we’ll gather your materials and call to schedule a curbside appointment as soon as possible.

• Personalized Reading Recommendations For Families and Teachers
• Recomendaciones de Libros Personalizadas Para Familias y Maestros
• Personalized Reading Recommendations For Adults
• Recomendaciones de Libros Personalizadas Para Adultos

Pint-Size Storytime Online

• Short and sweet stories, songs, and rhymes for kids 0-6. We post a new one every Tuesday at 9:45am to our Facebook and YouTube.

Digital Materials

• Read online or download thousands of eBooks and eAudioBooks with Libby Overdrive, Hoopla, Enki Library, or Safari Books
• Read online or download cover-to-cover digital editions of popular magazines with RBdigital, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and scholarly journals (click on the E-Resources tab, scroll to the Newspapers, Magazines, Journals heading)
• Stream or download movies with Kanopy or movies, TV shows, and music with Hoopla Digital

Physical Materials

We currently are not open to the public, but we are providing Curbside Service for you to pick up your holds. Face coverings are required for service.

• Visit the Marinet Catalog to find books, music CDs, books on CD, DVDs, Blu-ray, and more
• Place a hold on items online using your library log-in or call us to place holds for you – 415-485-3323
  When you receive an email notification that your items are ready to pick up:
  • Downtown Library: Call 415-485-3323 to schedule an appointment to pick up items that are ready.
  • Pickleweed Library: Call 415-485-3483 or visit– no appointment required
  • Northgate: Not open for curbside service
• Zip Books is a California State Library program to have an item that is not in the MARINet catalog delivered to your home address via Amazon (only for books, large print books and books on CD).
• Link+ is available to place holds on books that are not in the Marinet Catalog from participating libraries in California and Nevada.
• Book Club Kits  available for adults and kids to check out. See our Book Club Kit Guidelines for more information!
• Storytime Anytime Kits – We have 10 themed storytime totes for young kids containing 5-8 picture books, a puppet, and Share Sheet.
• Library Park Pass Program (Marin County Parks) – Day-use pass for the Marin County Parks at Black Point Boat Launch, Miller Point Boat Launch, Stafford Lake Park, Paradise Beach Park, and McNear’s Beach Park.
• Adventure Kit – Hiking – Day-use pass for both the Marin Municipal Water District at Sky Oaks Gateway, Bon Tempe Lake, and Lagunitas Picnic Area, as well as the Marin County Parks at Black Point Boat Launch, Miller Point Boat Launch, Stafford Lake Park, Paradise Beach Park, and McNear Beach Park.
  This kit also includes guide books, compass, and maps.
• Ukulele Experience Kit – Provides all materials necessary for learning to play the ukulele.

Research and Information Assistance

Our staff can answer your questions. Call us at 415-485-3323, email us library@cityofsanrafael.org or click on the blue Chat tab at the top left of this page.

Events for All Ages

Although limited during shelter-in-place, our events calendar features online classes and programs–in English and Spanish–via Zoom..

Museum Passes

• • Discover & Go online printable free and discounted museum passes
    Discover & Go provides FREE or discounted passes to local museums and cultural institutions. In order to make a reservation, you must be 16 years of age or older, a resident of Marin County, and have a valid library card.

The following services have been suspended during shelter-in-place:

Technology Services

• Reserve a computer
• Free gigabit wifi at both locations
• 3D Printing
  • Read our 3D Printing FAQ
  • Read our 3D Printing Policy
• Book-a-Librarian
  Reserve a 30 minute help session with a librarian for assistance with library eResources, such as eBooks, databases, the online catalog, or your online account.  Call us at  415-485-3321 to schedule your appointment.
  Or, drop-in anytime at the Reference Desk for help…there’s almost always someone who can help you.
• One-on-One Computer Tutoring
  1-hour sessions at the San Rafael Downtown location with our volunteer tutors for help with PC or Mac computer basics, or help with email, software, searching the Internet, or job search. Contact Marilyn Boatright to make an appointment 415-485-3317 or email marilyn.boatright@cityofsanrafael.org
• Memory Lab
  Create digital copies of your treasured family photographs, slides, negatives, and documents.

Reading Buddies

Reading Buddies pairs adult and teen volunteers with elementary school aged youth in grades 1-3 for either 15 or 30 minute appointments. During the appointment, the child will practice reading with the volunteer one-on-one, and receive help and guidance with difficult words, comprehension, and other reading skills. We have bilingual volunteers available who can help in both English and Spanish. Appointments are available at the both the Downtown and Pickleweed Library locations.

For more information and to schedule an appointment, visit or call the Downtown Library’s Children’s Reference Desk (415-485-3322) or the Pickleweed Library (415-485-3483).

Bicycle Outreach

• Mobile Bike Library Outreach Vehicle

Outreach Services to the Home-bound

• Outreach services for home-bound persons has been suspended during shelter-in-place. If you need this service, please contact Marilyn at 415.485.3317, or marilyn.boatright@cityofsanrafael.org.