In 1905 , architect Daniel Burnham presented his plans for a new Civic Center for San Francisco , including a new library building . These plans were put on hold after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake , which destroyed about 140,000 volumes , nearly 80 % of its holdings . The library moved to temporary quarters while a new building was designed and built . In 1917 , the new main library building , designed by George W. Kelham , opened in the Civic Center . Ten major murals by California Tonalist Gottardo Piazzoni were installed in 1931 – 1932 ; four more were completed in 1945 , but left uninstalled until the 1970s
1906 San Francisco earthquake
1906 San Francisco earthquake
San Francisco Public Library