San Rafael has two public libraries: the Downtown Library and the Pickleweed Library.

Downtown Library

1100 E Street (5th and E Streets), 415-485-3323

Pickleweed Library

50 Canal Street, 415-485-3483

Both libraries are community gathering places for adults, seniors, teens, and children. The libraries have a full selection of books, digital books, movies, TV shows, and music for library patrons. In addition there are computers for public use and the libraries are equipped with free Wi-Fi. Educational events and programs, research services, and homework assistance are also available at the libraries.

For patrons who wish to read digital books, they can go to the website srpubliclibrary.org to download ebooks and eAudioBooks, digitized magazines and newspapers, and access live assistance for homework.  

To get started, patrons can apply for and get two kinds of library cards online. The e-Card is for the library's online services such as online information or to download ebooks. e-Cards are good for three years or if patrons change it to a full-service card. The full-service library card gives patrons full access to online and in-library services. Patrons can check out books and other items from any of these MARINet libraries:

·      Belvedere-Tiburon Library

·      Larkspur Public Library

·      Mill Valley Public Library

·      Marin County Free Library

·      San Anselmo Public Library

·      San Rafael Public Library

·      Sausalito Public Library

The San Rafael libraries have several programs for reading and literacy such as the Marin Literacy Program, outreach services, and assistance with research.

Adults can join the art and travel talks, book clubs, and technology boot camp classes to upgrade computer skills. Children will enjoy the story times, craft classes, and other activities for kids of all ages.

San Rafael’s libraries have an impressive collection of children's materials. There are board books for infants, picture books, fairy tales and folk lore, beginning reading materials, and chapter books for advanced readers. Multimedia offerings are DVDs, books on CD, music, and computers with fun entertainment. Books are available in English, Spanish, and a few select languages. Reference and periodicals are also available as are non-fiction books for research.

Reading programs such as Children's Storytime are very popular with the children. The libraries have guidelines for behavior for the children and their parents.

Teens are given special attention with programs such as the library’s  Homework and Test Help. One such helpful service is Tutor.com where children can get live online tutoring individually from professional tutors on math, science, social studies, and English at all levels. AP instruction is also offered for those looking for such instruction.  Other reference materials are newspaper, magazine and journal articles, resources for biographies, American and world history, encyclopedias,  and language programs.

College prep exams which are a very important for high school juniors and seniors going on to college are also given special attention. Teens can tap into the SAT and ACT programs at the library and begin their preparations for the standardized tests. 

Archbishop Alemany Library

The Archbishop Alemany Library at the Dominican University is open to the public. Patrons can check items out if they have a Marin County Library card. The Library has databases for extensive academic and educational research. Workshops, services for students, theses support for Master of Arts candidates, and services such as technology are available here.

Phillips Library

The Phillips Library has approximately 4,000 volumes of materials focused on California history and is a great resource for people looking for specific historical material about the area.