About the Library

Library Mission

Preserving yesterday. Informing today. Inspiring tomorrow.

Library Goals

  • To employ a well-trained, friendly and helpful staff that enjoys working with people of all ages.
  • To introduce children and their families to the joys of reading and finding information at the library.
  • To make the Library the first choice of Daly City residents for all their information needs.
  • To provide the best resources, including programs, books, videos, DVDs, audiobooks, electronic resources and periodical subscriptions to meet the diverse informational and reading needs of the community.
  • To provide comfortable and clean library facilities with good public service hours.
  • To provide computers with work productivity software and Internet access for public use at all libraries and to offer targeted computer and electronic resource training classes both in the library and at community facilities.

Library Policies

The library is guided by policies approved by the Board of Trustees.

Daly City Demographics

 Daly City, population 101,123 (U.S. Census 2010), is the largest city in San Mateo County and is located immediately south of the City and County of San Francisco.

Daly City is proud of its vibrant and ethnically diverse urban community. Daly City has been identified as one of the "Capitals of Asian America" - with Filipinos constituting the largest ethnic group. Daly City is:

  • 55.6% Asian
  • 23.7% Hispanic or Latino
  • 13.9% White, Non-Hispanic
  • 3.6% African-American
  • 12.3% Other

Patron Rights

The Library affirms the rights of patrons by adopting the Library Bill of Rights (PDF) and Freedom to Read statement (PDF) of the American Library Association. Patrons are also assured of their Right of Privacy (PDF) with regard to Library use. However, new laws may limit your privacy rights; for more information please read our Uniting and Strengthening Americans Patriot Act Policy (PDF).

Library Materials Selection

The Library purchases and makes available to all patrons a variety of:

  • Adult and children's reference works
  • Books on tape and CD
  • Circulating books
  • DVDs
  • Magazines
  • Music CDs

These materials support the patrons' needs for self-education, information, culture, and recreation. The responsibility for selection of library materials lies with the Library staff, who are guided by the Library's Materials Selection Policy (PDF).

Meeting & Study Areas

The Library provides a community meeting room for public use at the Serramonte Main Library. This room is available for non-profit organizations by reservation only.

Library Conduct

The Library strives to provide services and materials to the public in an environment conducive to their best use. Activities and behaviors that interfere with the basic functions of the Library will be considered grounds for action by Library staff. Patrons must conduct themselves in a manner consistent with Library policies including the Behavior (PDF) and Unattended Child (PDF) policies.

Exhibits, Displays, & Bulletin Boards

The Library staff design displays on timely topics for the enrichment of library patrons. Also on display on the various bulletin boards are public notices of community events and services. The Library does not permit the posting of personal advertisements or religious or political materials. Please see our full policy (PDF) for more information.

Public Computers

The library provides computers for public use at all of the branches. These computers access the library catalog, subscription databases and services, and the Internet as well as running programs for word processing, spreadsheets, slide presentations, and children's games. Not all computers provide access to each of these services. Use of these computers is governed by the Library's Computer and Internet Use Policy.

Library Cards

The library issues free library cards to residents of the State of California. All library card applicants may apply for and receive a card, and borrow library materials on the same visit if they present acceptable identification and proof of current address. Children under the age of 14 must have a parent or guardian sign their application form and present identification and proof of current address. Please see our full library card policy (PDF).

You may apply for a library card online or print the Library Card Application form (PDF) and fill it in. You will still need to visit one of the libraries to present identification and proof of current address before you receive your card.

Fines & Fees

The library is fine free and does not charge fines for late return of borrowed items. To help cover costs, fees are charged for some services, including lost items,, photocopying and printing. See the complete list of all fees (PDF).