Frequently Asked Questions

To get a library card you just need to fill out an application and show your current photo ID and proof of current California home address. You can start the process by filling out the online application at card.sanbrunolibrary.org. Another option is to go to any public library in San Mateo County and fill out a library card application in person.

You can borrow up to 50 items on your library card at one time. Most items check out for 3 weeks from the check-out or renewal date. Magazines check out for 1 week. Items will automatically renew 2 days before the due date, if there are no holds on the item(s) and your library record is not expired or blocked. Please note that there is a maximum of 5 renewals for most items.

There are no overdue fines for library items. Items more than 60 days overdue will be billed. However, simply return billed items and the charges will be forgiven.

Yes, the San Bruno Library is part of the Peninsula Library System, which means your library card may be used at any public library in San Mateo County.

List of Peninsula Library System Libraries

If your library card is lost or stolen, call or visit your home library as soon as possible to prevent others from borrowing items on your card. Once able, go to any public library to obtain a replacement card. Staff will need to see a current photo ID and proof of home address.

Your PIN is the usually the last 4 digits of the phone number on file. If the phone number on file is different from your current phone, you will need to call library staff or visit a library to reset your PIN. Once you know your PIN you can reset your PIN at any time in your library account.

The Friends of the San Bruno Library are pleased to accept donations of books, DVDs, and puzzles in very good condition. Limit of two boxes or bags per household per week. View donations policy for more information.

The NOTICE OF BILLING FROM YOUR LIBRARY is a notice sent out to patrons who have an item(s) on their record that is more than 30 days overdue. It is a reminder that the item(s) has not been returned. The item(s) needs to be returned as soon as possible. Once the item(s) is returned the amount due for the returned item(s) item will change to $0. If the item(s) is lost, you can pay online or in person at any public library in San Mateo County.

San Bruno Library storytimes do not require advance registration.

The San Bruno Library provides two types of resources for homework help: the Homework Center and Online Tutoring. The San Bruno Library Homework Center is a free, as-needed, drop-in program for students from kindergarten through 8th grade, Monday through Thursday on San Bruno Park School District school days from September to May. Free registration is required. There is no attendance requirement. Parents may join their students in the Homework Center if they wish. Students bring their specific homework or project to work on. Homework assistance is provided by staff and library volunteers as time allows. The Homework Center is not after-school childcare, and it does not provide one-on-one tutoring. Online Tutoring is provided for San Bruno Library cardholders via Tutor.com and Brainfuse. These online services also serve students through Community College and have resources for Job Seekers and Career Skill building.

Items that were borrowed at a public library in San Mateo County can be returned to any public library in San Mateo County. This does not pertain to all materials, such as electronic devices and other special collection items. Please be aware of the policies of special collection items at other libraries. Peninsula Library System items returned to public libraries outside of San Mateo County will significantly delay the return of those items to their owning library and may cause those items to go into billing status.

OverDrive provides eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines for all ages.

Android or iOS user? Download the Libby app for OverDrive to get started! Need help with Libby? View Getting Started with Libby. 

You can also read directly from your Internet browser or send it to your Kindle.

Access Partner Libraries for even more choices to check out!
Instructions on how to access Partner Libraries

Also available are O'Reilly Safari technical eBooks and Enki eBooks. Find out more at ebooks.sanbrunolibrary.org.

Yes! Sign up for a one-on-one session at the San Bruno Public Library! We can provide assistance with general eBook, computer and mobile device topics; repair is not included. Computers are available at the Library or bring your own device. Reservations required. Contact the Library at sbpl@plsinfo.org or (650) 616-7078 to set up an appointment.

Yes! The San Bruno Public Library offers free 3D printing services on our Dremel 3D40-FLX-01 3D Printer by reservation only. There is a limit of one print job per week per user. To learn more or to reserve the printer, go to 3D.sanbrunolibrary.org.

Yes! The public copy machine in the Magazine Room offers free scanning to an email or to an external USB drive. You can bring in your own USB drive, borrow the library's USB drive, or can purchase a USB drive for $10.

Print to the Library from your tablet or phone, including your home computer or laptop! Send your documents the same day you will be coming to the library to pick them up. 

Mobile Printing Instructions

Printing Costs:
Black and White: First 3 pages are free. Subsequent pages are 15 cents/page.
Color: 30 cents/page

You can go into any public library in San Mateo County to renew your library card. Staff will verify the information on your library record and renew your library card. You also can call library staff and renew your library card over the phone, provided your information on file has not changed. Staff will ask you a few questions to verify all the information we have on file is current.

Yes! If you have a current photo ID, we can retrieve your account using your current photo ID.

Yes! The Library’s Community Room is available for rental Monday through Saturday during opening hours. You will need to call the San Bruno Library at (650) 616-7078 or send an email to sbpl@plsinfo.org to check availability.

Room dimensions: 40' x 30'
Parking: Limited street parking only
Wi-Fi: No password required, public Wi-Fi available
Restrooms: 2 restrooms inside the room
Deposit: Required, see application form
Room equipment: Podium, tables, chairs
Catering: Allowed; no kitchen available; running water only in bathrooms 

View Full Application and Fees

Parking is limited to street parking only. Across Angus Ave West from the library are nine parking spots dedicated to library patrons, four of which are 20-minute parking and five of which are 1-hour parking. Parking spaces beyond one hour are available in the surrounding neighborhood streets.

Yes! The copy machine is located in the Magazine Room. Copying charges are as follows:

Black and white single-sided pages: 15 cents per page
Color single-sided pages: 30 cents per page

1) While at the San Bruno Public Library, use your laptop or mobile device to locate and connect to the Library’s Wi-Fi network, San Bruno Library.

2) Open a web browser to view and accept the library’s wireless usage policy. If the wireless usage policy does not load automatically, navigate to an internet website (such as yahoo.com) to prompt the policy page to appear.

3) Select “Accept” to continue. Once accepted, you will have access to the library’s Wi-Fi network and will be redirected to the library’s website. You are now connected and can access the internet.

There is no password needed to log onto the San Bruno Library Wi-Fi.

Q: Why won't my apps work when I am on the library wireless?
A: Users must accept the Library’s wireless policy via a browser to connect the device to the wireless network. Once connected, your apps will begin to work.

Q: I connected to the Wi-Fi network, but when I open my browser I don’t see a landing page. What is wrong?
A: Load a website you have not visited recently, such as yahoo.com. Sometimes the web browser caches the user’s home page locally, so it does not attempt to connect to the internet on startup. The pop-up splash page will not appear if the browser does not try to access the internet.

Q: Why do I need to accept the policy?
A: Accepting the policy confirms your understanding that the wireless connection is open and not secure. It also indicates your acceptance of the rules and regulations for wireless use.

Q: Do I need to accept the policy every time I start a new connection?
A: The policy must be accepted once per day, per device. Accepting the policy helps protect both you and the Library by reminding users that the wireless connection is not secure.

Q: What do you mean the wireless connection is not secure?
A: The wireless service is public and does not require passwords, certificates, or applications to connect, making it open. We recommend that you avoid performing online banking or other sensitive activities while connected to the Library’s public Wi-Fi network.

Q: Is the wireless landing page compatible with all devices and browsers?
A: Yes. It has been tested with various devices and browsers on laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Q: Is the Wi-Fi on all day?
A: No. For safety reasons, the Library’s Wi-Fi network is turned off daily between 11 PM and 6 AM.

Yes! Staff assisted faxing is available at the Reference Desk. $2 for the first page, $1 per page thereafter regardless of area code. Cover sheet is free (unless it is the only page being sent, then it is $2).

To view current job openings with the City of San Bruno go to sanbruno.ca.gov/jobs.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter or follow us on social media to stay up to date on events and programs at the library. The library calendar and program page will also list upcoming library programs and events.

Yes! The Friends of the San Bruno Library support the library by conducting events throughout the year. These include an ongoing booksale in the Library foyer as well as special monthly sales and major book sale events semi-annually. Proceeds from these sales support special programs and provide supplies not included in the library's regular budget. For more information about the Friends of the Library please visit friends.sanbrunolibrary.org.

New passes are visible on the 1st day of the current month. Available passes for the next three months can then be seen. 

For example, on October 1, available passes for the months of October, November, and December are visible. Although the passes for October and November may have already been reserved, new passes will appear for December. 

If passes for the current month are not available you can still check for those periodically too, as other users sometimes cancel their Discover & Go reservation, thus making a pass available again.

Please review the offer description for a particular venue when you are logged into your Discover and Go account. Further information may be found in the Discover and Go FAQs.

Our Library Catalog is also a way to filter books by level or Lexile. In our Library Catalog you can use the Advanced Search option which allows one to search by Lexile range. Alternatively, you can filter the results of a search by Reading Level by selecting the range.

Need help? Ask our Children’s Librarian for help in where to look in the library.

What is a Lexile?

A Lexile is a numerical value related to the complexity of the vocabulary used in the book. Note: Lexile numbers can be assigned based on a selection from the book not the entire book. These are numbers from 0-1500. You can look up a book's Lexile.

Does this book have an AR Quiz?

The Library Catalog lists information regarding Accelerated Reader under Audience in the Full Details Listing. Titles can also be searched for directly. 

The Library has a private/study room located in the Magazine Room. You can reserve this room for up to an hour at a time, first come, first serve. Please staff at the main desk to reserve.