About the Photo Collection

The San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection contains more than 250,000 photographs of San Francisco and California scenes ranging from 1850 to the present. This collection includes views of San Francisco street scenes, buildings, and neighborhoods, as well as photographs of famous San Francisco personalities. The collection also includes the photo morgue of the San Francisco News-Call Bulletin, a daily newspaper. Copies of images may be ordered, and many of them are available for use once the Reproduction of Images Form (PDF) and Permission to Publish Materials Form (PDF) have been submitted.

The collection may be viewed in two ways: through the online catalog on the San Francisco Public Library Web site, which contains only a selection of photos from the collection, or in person during photo collection open hours.

When viewing the collection in person, only a limited number of photographs may be examined at one time. Library users will be provided with gloves to wear while examining the photographs. The photographs are to be handled by the edges only and held securely on two sides. The following items are not to be used in contact with the photographs: pressure sensitive tapes, all types of glues, paper clips, elastic bands, staples, pins, pens or pencils. Photocopying of photographs is harmful to the image and is not allowed. Photographs may be reproduced through a photo lab of the Library's choice, through the Library scanning service or through a scheduled photo shoot. See Copyright and Ordering Information for details.

For further information about the Photograph Collection please call 415-557-4567 during open hours.