San Francisco closing libraries, indoor rec centers to act as temporary childcare centers

For more coverage, visit our complete coronavirus section here.

Pictured here is the San Francisco Public Library main branch on Larkin Street. Pictured here is the San Francisco Public Library main branch on Larkin Street. Photo: SUSAN RAGAN / SUSAN RAGAN / AP Photo: SUSAN RAGAN / SUSAN RAGAN / AP Image 1 of / 48 Caption Close San Francisco closing libraries, indoor rec centers to act as temporary childcare centers 1 / 48 Back to Gallery

If you want to stock up on books, you still have a few hours to get a San Francisco library.

The city's public library system is shuttering all locations Friday, March 13, at 6 p.m. through March 31.

Mayor London Breed said the libraries will be turned into temporary youth facilities offering homework help and educational enrichment for grades 6-12, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Recreation and Park facilities such as clubhouses and recreation centers will also be closed to the public and turned into childcare centers for children in grades K-5. Rec and Park is canceling all regular indoor programming and classes through March 31.

The childcare facilities will be open to low-income families and those with parents on the front lines of the COVID-19 outbreak, including San Francisco-based hospital staff, Department of Public Health employees, and activated Disaster Service Workers.

Families can register for the program starting Saturday, March 14, for full-time or drop-in care at dcyf.org/care.

During the closure, the library’s eLibrary collections of books, movies, music, and on-line learning will be available to download at sfpl.org/elibrary.

This news comes after the San Francisco Unified School District announced Thursday it was closing all schools for three weeks begining March 16.

“During this time, health care workers and other essential staff need to be able to keep working and responding to this public health emergency,” said Mayor Breed. “With this change to our libraries and recreation facilities, young people whose parents need to respond to COVID-19 will have a safe place to go. I want to thank the Library and the Recreation and Park Department for stepping up to provide this critical service for San Francisco families.”

Amy Graff is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com.

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:

Sign up for 'The Daily' newsletter for the latest on coronavirus here.