Mechanics Institute Library & Chess Room

The Mechanics Institute is the oldest library in San Francisco, dating back to 1854 during the initial wild growth of San Francisco. The collection has around 160,000 items—many of them in the stacks in the building's basement and only accessible through the page desk—concerning a wide variety of topics, with special attention to local history and chess. The institute also hosts the oldest continuously operating chess club in the United States, with classes, tournaments, and scheduled non-competition play. The institute also hosts author talks, film screenings, book groups, and writer's workshops.

• history
• nightlife

Address

57 Post Street

Getting there

The library is accessible by elevator, with the chess room one floor above.

Hours

Mo,We,Fr 10:00-18:00; Tu,Th 10:00-20:00; Sa 10:00-17:00

Price

The facilities can be toured for free on Wednesdays at noon

Website

milibrary.org (opens in a new tab)