I'm so lucky to have this library just a few minutes from home. It's become one of my favorite…read moreplaces to pop into, whether I'm looking for a new book, browsing the shelves, or checking out a movie. One thing that really surprised me was their huge DVD collection. They have rows and rows of movies and TV shows you can check out for free. It's a great reminder that you don't need another streaming subscription to find something to watch. The children's section is absolutely adorable. They have plush animals perched on top of the bookshelves that make the perfect little reading buddies for kids. It's such a sweet touch that makes the space feel welcoming and fun for young readers. Every librarian I've interacted with has been incredibly kind and helpful. If you have a question or need help finding something, they're always happy to point you in the right direction. This library is clean, well organized, and a wonderful community resource. If you live nearby and haven't stopped in, I definitely recommend paying it a visit.

The library recently added a way to get into the library before their usual opening on Monday thru…read moreThursday at 11 am. If you're in good standing with the library, you can apply to enter between 9 am to 11 am. The back entrance near the parking lot has a new device which scans your library card and requests your password. I'm told that there will not be staff to assist, but it's a convenient new service which will allow us to pick up holds and to use self checkout before they formally open. This is a useful new service!

This was my first time ever stopping here, and boy was I impressed for a public facility! For those…read moreof you who are ever in the area and need to print out a few forms or documents, you can't beat this library. Your first 10 printouts are free. And while my home public library in Culver City is up to the task and gets the job done, the environment here is on another level all together. Perhaps it has something to do with looking out on the mighty Pacific right? Lol Leslie and Ann were super helpful immediately upon entry as my guest and I had never been here before. In addition to their great customer service, the cleanliness of the facility also stands out. Would highly recommend to anyone.

I visited this library for the first time yesterday, and I was impressed at this facility. Parking…read moreis free (at least for two hours) if you park at the lot that is connected to the library. You can either walk around or cut through the path to get to the main entrance. The bottom floor is mostly kids media as well as DVDs, and when I went the library itself was pretty quiet, so that was a pleasant surprise. The construction of the building was nice to look at as well, with a lot of glass and stainless steel, and there were also a ton of art features, such as the hanging jellyfish when you walk up the stairs to the second floor. There are rentable study rooms, but also a good amount of tables and chairs, and most of the tables had their own outlets to use as well, making this a great place to study. I took up a spot at a table that faced the ocean, and it was just so calm and serene. I would come again, as it wasn't too busy from 1-3 PM.

Huge library almost like the one in El Segundo. Lots of old books and old magazines. They may have…read moresold some of the old magazines, but everything is up to date here in all. Just nice novels and all of the History. Place is pretty clean, and they have tight security here. I see little bit of homeless here, but not so much in this library. The staff are professionals too. So, I recommend in coming down to Redondo Beach library

I had several negative experiences and awkward interactions with staff at this library so I don't…read morebring my child here anymore. It's unfortunate because it has a great kids area with a nice play space and lots of books and DVDs available. We attended an event hosted at the library where we could meet seeing eye dogs in training. My child absolutely loves dogs and we were looking forward to meeting them. It was a 1 hour event and the organizers and trainers took the first 50 minutes talking about themselves and their program leaving no more than 10 minutes at the end for everyone to meet the dogs and some of them left right after the presentation. I don't know if you've ever tried to keep an excited child away from something cute and cuddly, but it is no easy feat. I felt like a monster for trying to redirect her away from the dogs during the unnecessarily long "presentation." This was poorly organized and those trainers were very self-absorbed. How could they not know that people only came to meet the dogs, not hear them talk the whole time. The library staff are very awkward and fit the unfortunate and typical stereotype of librarians who are quite possibly mole people.

More Than Just a Library…read more Peninsula Center Library was the very first library I visited when I moved to the Los Angeles South Bay, and over the years, this place has been through a LOT with me. I've used it during periods of unemployment, for booking study rooms while interviewing for jobs, and simply as a quiet place to sit, read, think, or get some work done. It has become one of those places that holds a lot of memories for me. First, the building itself deserves some appreciation. The modern design and huge windows that let in so much natural light are a must for me. Walking into a bright library just makes my day better. There's also an underground parking structure, although it's limited, and I especially appreciate it on those hot South Bay days when having my car parked in the shade makes a difference. I also LOVE the Friends of the Library sales. They have highly discounted books, CDs, DVDs, and -- my personal favorite -- PUZZLES! The larger monthly book sales are especially fun because they open up the big room and have a much bigger selection. I've bought countless books and puzzles here over the years. I've participated in their reading program, too, and the staff have always been helpful. More recently, work has made this location less convenient for me, so I don't get here nearly as often as I used to. I now visit Katy Geissert Civic Center Library more often simply because of convenience. I used to come here 2-3 times a week, and now I'm probably here around 2-4 times a month. It honestly makes me a little sad because I still love this library. The library's online/app services have also been incredibly useful. I've used them to reserve study rooms and place holds on books without having to make an extra trip. And speaking of study rooms -- these have been a lifesaver. Whether I need somewhere quiet and private to focus on work or a reliable place to take a virtual job interview, being able to reserve a room has been incredibly valuable to me. I also love the bookmark contests! I get to see the creativity of local kids, and some of their artwork is seriously impressive -- sometimes downright jaw-dropping. I love grabbing a free bookmark on my way out. At this point, my typical library visit feels like: walk in for a book, walk out with a book AND a bookmark. The kids' area also looks like such a fun space, even though I don't personally use it. Overall, I love the staff, programs, resources, architecture, and just the general vibe of Peninsula Center Library. It has been much more than a place to check out books for me. It has been a quiet refuge, a workspace, an interview space, a place to discover books, and occasionally a place to find a great puzzle for a few dollars. Even though I don't visit as frequently as I used to, this library will always have a special place in my South Bay story. And yes -- I'll probably keep coming back for those Friends of the Library sales and puzzles.

The Peninsula Center Library in Rolling Hills is a beautiful and welcoming space that has become a…read morefavorite for our family. The children's section is particularly impressive, featuring a massive selection of reading materials and a dedicated playground area that keeps kids entertained. It is the perfect local spot for a productive afternoon or a fun family outing. The weekly programming is fantastic, especially the monthly Chinese story time. We recently attended a session led by Lily, who was wonderful with the children. She used a great mix of storytelling about caterpillars and fruit along with high-energy songs and movement. It was such a joy to watch my granddaughter get involved and follow along with all the actions. The facility is very well-designed for convenience, including the easy underground parking right beneath the building. Whether you are looking for a quiet place to read or an engaging activity for the grandkids, this library is a true gem in the Peninsula area. It's a wonderful community resource that we look forward to visiting every week.

Shoutout to the Staff!…read more A big shoutout to the staff at Katy Geissert Civic Center Library! Everyone I interacted with was friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely seemed to enjoy what they do. My background as a recreational reader is actually fairly new. I really started reading as a hobby in 2023, thanks to a friend who works at another library in another city. They encouraged me to participate in a summer reading program in 2025, and that eventually led me to sign up for the Torrance Public Library's 2026 Summer Reading Program. I had a few books in mind to start with, but once I finished those, I needed to find more. I also wanted to challenge myself to branch out and diversify the authors and genres I was reading. I'll be honest: the Torrance Public Library system isn't necessarily my first choice, but convenience matters, and this location is convenient for me. When I got stuck trying to figure out what author to try next, I decided to do something outside my usual routine. Instead of researching everything myself online, I actually asked a librarian for help. The librarian on the second floor wasn't personally familiar with the work of Tessa Bailey or Emily Henry, which were the authors I had been reading, but after I described what I liked about their books, she suggested Ali Hazelwood and Katherine Center as possibilities. She mentioned that she knew people who had listened to audiobooks by both authors, although she seemed a little hesitant about whether they would be a good fit for me. Well... I had nothing to lose! I ended up reading one book from each author, and both were great recommendations. In fact, those two books ended up being the final two books I needed to complete my summer reading challenge! That experience reminded me why libraries are so valuable. I could have easily continued searching the internet based on algorithms and reviews, but having an actual person listen to what I was looking for and make a recommendation led me to two authors I probably wouldn't have picked on my own. I also want to give a shoutout to the staff on the first floor. I asked about the Friends of the Library cash-only book sale, where they offer books at highly discounted prices, and they were so enthusiastic about answering all my questions. You could tell they genuinely cared about the library and were happy to share what was available. Overall, I really appreciated the staff at this location. Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic about books and the library itself. As someone who is still relatively new to reading as a hobby, having librarians who are willing to help me explore beyond my usual choices has made the experience even more enjoyable. Thank you to the staff for being such great ambassadors for the library!

This Torrance Library location is near what I believe to be the City Hall or main area for all of…read moreTorrance's City entities. Parking is easy and it's a big library with a main floor for the adults, a 2nd top floor for the youth, kids of all ages including an entertainment room with a movie theater like projection TV, then a bottom basement type lower floor for all of the non-book media, including CD's DVD's and Magazines. Their children's area has an impressive "Comic Book" graphic novel and collected editions area with a lot of titles and books by Marvel, DC, super heroes and non-hero literature. I'd venture to guess they should and might have some Anime and Manga too. As of June/July 2026 the library has the front main entry that looks like it's "closed" due to construction and when you walk in, it's dimly lit and often empty looking as if it's closed, but they're open and I get a sense it's going to be a spectacular renovation They do have a Summer Reading Program focused for the kids to avoid that "Summer Slouch" of education, with bonus incentive prizes for reading. There's also a program for teens and adults of all ages. The staff are friendly.

This tiny little local library is a great resource…read more Not only can you get things here like books or access to online digital resources but you can get free Covid test and check out a pass for the California parks. Especially nice shout out to Ramón at the front desk who is so helpful and kind and seems to know a lot of the regulars by name. Taking a point off because the parking can be really a bummer so give yourself time in case the lot behind the library is packed. TL/dr: tiny little local resource with tough parking

As far as libraries go. This place is quaint with ample parking that is free. Don't come Monday and…read moreSunday as they're closed! And since it's part of the LA County library system, you've access to a range of resources. My favorite resource is the free printing - up to 10 pages! As a resident of Redondo Beach, the Redondo Beach library charges 10 cents per copy, so I drive the extra one mile to this location and print for free! Your welcome! After you stop by you can head over to the many fine restaurants at the pier or nearby! Libraries always get 5 stars!

It's a very nice library! Lots of natural sunlight with the big windows and lots of seating with…read moreplugs as well. They have a few parking spots right outside for 2 hours but right down the street is a neighborhood where you can parallel park and just walk over! There's no time limit for the neighborhood parking. They have pretty views outside the window with lots of trees and a huge green lawn. Outside the windows there are a lot of spider webs and dead bugs in the corners

I don't know if El Segundo Public Library is an old library, one that has been remodeled, or a…read morelittle of both. If not from the area, or this particular suburb of Los Angeles, it's hard to tell. I've only known about this library in recent years. For a lot of So Cal people, or even West Side people, El Segundo isn't a place to which they typically go. They might skirt its northern boundary along Imperial Highway, which divides the small city from the LAX airport property. They may skirt its beach side via Vista del Mar en route to the trendier South Bay beach cities. And they might skirt it more quickly going north-south along either Sepulveda Blvd. or the San Diego Freeway. Realistically, it's a quiet town with a well maintained and quaint downtown, a few old school eateries, and their own small civic center, which includes this library. The El Segundo Library is a very good library. It's fairly roomy, with tall ceilings, good lighting, and a lot of windows. The library appears to be one level upon entering, but there is also a lower level, which accounts for some of that roominess. The library staff is polite and reference librarians are friendly and helpful in a relaxed way. There are some larger reading rooms, private rooms, individual study tables, some comfortable upholstered seating, and large tables where people can park themselves. The collection appears to be large and there are many computers. I found this library because, while at nearby Clutter's Park, I needed to charge my phone, use a desktop computer, and do some personal organizing. It's not that far south of Clutter's Park, which sits on the hilltop arterial of Imperial Highway and overlooks LAX. Parking at the El Segundo Library is easy to find, either in various lots or on the streets. One just needs to heed the parking signs. Speaking of Clutter's Park, the El Segundo Library is the perfect complement to it in the sense that you can do two nerdy things, one after the other. Clearly, I jest, since plane spotting and acquiring knowledge are more fun and educational than they are nerdy.

Beautiful, historic library with very helpful staff. The…read moreparking is on the street BEHIND the library, so as you approach the library go R, then L at the 1st st (Via Pinale) which curves all the way AROUND the library. You'll pass several homes & then you'll see the parking lot on your L hand side.

Here for the Love So Right event, a fundraiser for the Filipino music community. The venue is…read morelovely with an outdoor garden, complete with a fountain. The architecture is beautiful. Great place for a private event, but you should limit the amount of guests to 100 or less.

This medium-sized library is tucked away near a Marriot Courtyard. It's usually quiet enough (save…read morefor a few Teams calls ringing the front desk) to get work done, especially during non-peak times. There's not a ton of seating, about half seems to be reserved for kids, but they do have quiet solo study rooms for reservation if you really need one. Only about half the tables seem to have outlets, this library would get a full 5-stars from me if they could somehow get more (and a water bottle refil station)!

I went to the library with my 3 year old and returned the books from a different library. We were…read morethere for almost an hour then my daughter wanted to check out more books for the week. And when I go to check out, the machine says that I have damage fees. When I go to the attendant in the front, I said the machine isn't letting me check out. She didn't even fully acknowledge me and said , "yeah you damaged the books" accusing me of something I didn't do. The couple ripped pages that the books had were already there when I checked them out. How was I supposed to know that the books I checked out didn't have the damage noted in the system. If they can see my account. Out of all the times I've rented, I've never once damaged any property. But the review is solely based on the attendant who was cold, dismissive, and accusatory towards me. As much as I really like the kids librarian that usually stays in the kids section, unfortunately I won't be back to this library.

[Review #812] 2024-011…read more The Isabel Henderson Library is 1 of 6 libraries in the Torrance district, located west of Victor Park, off Emerald & Garnet Sts. I haven't been here, but my son visited this location a few times for their events; he really enjoyed the "Tony Daniels Magic Show" this summer. I needed a place to hang out until the local fencing club was open & stopped by to work & peruse the stacks earlier in the month. It's slightly smaller than sister Southeast Torrance Library (definitely quieter even with the proximity of Victor Elementary School & St. James Catholic School), with a nice collection of youth & middle school books to entice my son to read. ツ Free WiFi is available... the login & PW is posted at the front desk/check-out counter. I get decent connectivity working here while waiting for M to finish his homework or do some light reading. I stopped in again mid-11/2024 to attend the "Traveling Naturalist" event. We ran a little late, but there's room for us to join in (capped @ 40 people). It was facilitated by Ryan English, Lead Naturalist from the Environmental Nature Center. Can you believe she traveled 39-mi.? Wowza! \(*o*)/ She started with a short story to lead/pique the children's curiosity of the animal that is to be introduced. I missed the book that announced "Blueberry" (Blue Death Feigning Beetle), & saw her escorting the insect around to be petted. This guy was "alive"/active this time. Ryan said it has "feign death" (its defense mechanism) at some presentations. She followed up with the popular Frog & Toad book, & shared a toad named "Mr. Pickles" (look but no touch due to his sensitive skin); he squeaked several times like a dog's chew toy. You can hear the kids collectively sighing: "awww!" The next friend that was introduced was "Fiesta," a rose-colored Boa Constrictor. M thought she was really pretty & cute. We had to leave after her, missing out on the rabbit/bunny (M sneaked a peek at the next book). While I was waiting for the l'il guy to wash his hands, I shared my gratitude & appreciation to the librarians for hosting this awesome event! We love our local libraries, especially for the fun, interesting, educational, etc. activities for the community... there's even events for adults! Stop by & see what this local library has to offer for you & your family, you'll be glad you did!

They are so nice when I call to ask if they have an item. After they find it, they verify it is on…read morethe shelf. Then they put it on hold at the desk for me to pick up!