Public Library
The San Diego Public Library serves a very diverse population of adults and their children from countries and cultures outside the United States. This page was created in an effort to share Library resources that can help them adjust to U.S. culture and achieve permanent citizenship. You can also find more resources at the New San Diegans Resource Center.
Free Library Card
The San Diego Public Library offers free library cards to residents that may be used at any of the Library's locations. A library card may be used to borrow materials such as books and videos and the cards also gives access to the resources of the Library's online databases. There is no minimum age to get a card, but children under age 18 will need a parent's signature. The application is online in English or in
Spanish. Just print out and complete the application, and bring it with one form of photo identification and address verification to any of the Library's locations.
The Library has many materials about immigration, citizenship, and citizenship test preparation that may be borrowed:
International Language Collection
The Library's international language collection includes books, periodicals, audio, and DVDs. Materials are offered in Arabic, Cambodian, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hmong, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Tagalog and Vietnamese.
The Library has a collection of English as a Second Language (ESL) materials, as well as Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) resources.
The San Diego Public Library hosts several assistance programs. Library staff can also help you find and contact other assistance agencies. To find your local library call 619-236-5800 or go to Library Locations.
READ/San Diego 619-238-6603 readsandiego.org |
READ/San Diego (619-238-6603) and San Diego Council on Literacy (888-850-7323) can each help you find literacy programs throughout San Diego County. |
In addition to the agencies listed here, there are many more organizations in San Diego County providing free assistance to new San Diegans, often with unique specialties or programs.
San Diego Housing Commission |
619-231-9400 |
Catholic Charities |
619-287-9454 |
International Rescue Committee |
619-641-7510 |
Jewish Family Service |
858-637-3030 |
Legal Aid Society of San Diego |
877-734-3258 |
University of San Diego Legal Clinics |
619-260-7470 |
Cal Western Community Law Project |
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Workforce Partnership |
888-884-7397 |
San Diego Career Centers |
619-231-4289 |
San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency |
866-262-9881 |
International Rescue Committee | 619-641-7510 |