Library Mission

Preserving yesterday. Informing today. Inspiring tomorrow.

Library Goals

To introduce children and their families to the joys of reading and finding information at the library.
To provide the best resources, including programs, books, videos, DVDs, books on tape, electronic resources and periodical subscriptions to meet the diverse informational and reading needs of the community.
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.
To provide comfortable and clean library facilities with good public service hours.
To employ a well-trained, friendly and helpful staff that enjoys working with people of all ages.
To make the Library the first choice of Daly City residents for all their information needs.

Library Policies

The library is guided by policies approved by the Board of Trustees. To read our policies, click on the links below.

Please note that our policies are in PDF format which requires the free Adobe Reader® to view. If you do not already have the Reader, download it from here.

Patron Rights

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

Library Materials Selection

The Library purchases and makes available to all patrons a variety of adult and children's reference works, circulating books, books on tape and CD, videos, DVDs, music CDs, and magazines to 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. Purchase suggestions are always welcome.

Meeting and Study Areas

The Library provides a meeting room for public use at the Serramonte Main Library. This room is available by reservation only and a small fee is charged for its use.

Study rooms are available at the Westlake and John Daly Branch Libraries for small group use. These rooms may be reserved, but are also available on a drop-in basis if not reserved. For more information, click here; for our Meeting Room Policy, click here.

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, Unattended Child, Water Bottle, Cell Phone & Pager, and Copyright policies.

Exhibits, Displays, and 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. Click here to see our full policy statement.

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 Use and Internet Use Policies.

Samuel C. Chandler History Collection

The Samuel C. Chandler History collection at the Serramonte Main Library is a special subject collection of books and monographs about California history in general and the San Francisco Bay Area and Daly City/Colma history specifically. Items in this collection are for reference and cannot be borrowed. Click here to see our full policy statement.

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 18 must have a parent or guardian sign their application form and present identification and proof of current address. Click here to see our full policy statement.

To view and print the Library Card Application form, click here. To apply for a card online, submit your information from this web site. You will still need to visit one of the libraries to present identification and proof of current address before you receive your card.

Videos & DVDs

The library purchases and accepts gifts and donations of videos and DVDs for inclusion in collection. These, and all library materials, are accessible equally to all library patrons. Click here to see our full policy statement.

Fines & Fees

The library charges fines for late return of borrowed items. To help cover costs, fees are charged for lost items, hold requests, inter-library loan requests, photocopying and printing, and such. For a complete list of all fines and fees, click here.