Mission
The J. Paul Leonard Library fosters student success and social justice by organizing and providing equitable access to diverse information resources; maintaining welcoming and inclusive spaces; delivering user-centered library support and research expertise that empower underserved learners; and equipping the SFSU community with tools to pursue their academic, professional, and personal goals.
Vision
We will be a vital part of the student experience and a dynamic, collaborative center of learning and inquiry where the SFSU community is inspired to transform knowledge into action for the public good.
Values
Our values express the principles that guide our work and reflect our enduring commitment to equity, learning, and care.
Student success is at the heart of what we do. We foster academic, professional, and personal growth by creating equitable learning opportunities, supporting the well-being of all our students, and empowering underserved learners to thrive at SFSU and beyond.
We advance diversity and equity by developing collections, services and spaces that amplify a broad range of voices, perspectives and experiences. We are committed to ensuring equitable access, promoting inclusion and belonging, using our resources and expertise to advance social justice, and incorporating antiracist practices into all aspects of our work.
We create welcoming and inclusive library experiences that cultivate connection and learning so that every member of the SFSU community feels heard, valued and supported. We engage in continuous reflection, learning and improvement to better meet our users’ needs.
Equitable access to information is a foundation of education, democracy and social justice. We are committed to removing barriers to access and connecting the SFSU community with resources, tools and opportunities to discover, engage with and contribute to the world of ideas.
We believe curiosity fuels lifelong learning, innovation and discovery. By inspiring exploration, critical inquiry and creativity, we empower our community to ask questions, seek out new perspectives, and imagine a more just and informed world.
Impact
The SFSU Library 2025 Impact Report celebrates what we have accomplished and looks ahead to the future we are shaping as an essential contributor to student learning and success at San Francisco State University.
Strategic Priorities
Our 2026 – 2031 strategic plan focuses on six big ideas, each guided by an action planning group of staff and faculty members from across the Library.
Ensure that every aspect of the Library’s work — including our decisions, services, spaces, acquisitions and relationships — centers student success as our primary purpose and embodies diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility as our guiding principles.
Provide welcoming, safe and inclusive library experiences that support learning, collaboration, community and belonging.
Remove barriers to information by advancing open access initiatives and connecting users with our resources, tools and expertise.
Regularly assess and improve our collections, services and spaces, both physical and virtual, by centering the experiences, feedback and well-being of our users.
Build trust and strengthen collaboration across the Library and with the broader SFSU community through open communication that makes our goals, decisions and impact clear to all.
Honor and amplify the histories and voices that reflect SFSU’s long-standing commitments to equity, activism and social justice, strengthening campus connections and inspiring inquiry.
People & Departments
- Directory
- Organization chart
- Subject librarians aka library liaisons
- Library Administration
- Special Collections & Archives
- Digital Services & Collections
Borrowing
- Borrow and renew materials
- Interlibrary loan
- Library accounts and cards
- Privileges at other libraries
- Special borrowers cards
Policies & Guidelines
Information for …
- Faculty
- Friends of the Library
- Kids and Families
- Students
- Visitors to J. Paul Leonard Library (San Francisco State University)
- Visitors to Sutro Library (California State Library)