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    LA County Library - Manhattan Beach Library

    4.4 (84 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    LA County Library - Manhattan Beach Library Photos

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    Monica N.

    Wow! this library is honestly SO beautiful! having a view of the ocean while studying is the best! There's not too many seats here and it gets taken pretty quickly! Overall, 10/10 I would go again :,)

    Leslie C.

    What a gem for library lovers! Careful, even though this library is located in a stunning glass and concrete structure, you may miss it if you're driving past it on Highland. Be sure you have ample time when visiting, even though there is a medium sized parking lot in the middle of Manhattan Beach's Civic Center, where the library is located, it can get crowded and cramped! So, be patient - I promise it's worth it. This is a two story library with stunning views of the ocean on the top floor. There are plenty of seating areas and study tables on the West side. During my recent visit, I requested help from two different librarians, both were very helpful and accommodating. One pointed me to the fiction and bio section. Another assisted with the self checkout on my way out. One drawback I do have to mention is the restrooms were locked and required a buzz in from a nearby librarian. This is a red flag for me - screamed transient issue. Once inside the restroom was very neat and clean. Just a note to keep in mind. All in all, this is a gorgeous structure, with a great variety of books, all seem to be well taken care of and are neatly organized. The library was busy but very quiet, which I very much appreciate! Best location and a gorgeous view.

    Tiffany C.

    LA County Library - Manhattan Beach: Great Views, Productive Spot I was visiting LA and needed a place to work for a bit. This library was a great find! Parking is tricky, as expected in California, but the space itself is beautiful--lots of glass, natural light, and an amazing ocean view from the second floor. It's well-kept and modern, but it's not a silent library. The open layout means some background noise, and the children's section downstairs was busy even on a Thursday morning. That said, the staff was super friendly and helpful, which made the visit even better. If you don't mind a little noise, it's a great spot to work for an hour or two while enjoying the view. Just plan ahead for parking!

    Cool book club swag
    Mechell G.

    The library is a wonderful community resource. I've been attending the evening book club for nearly two years and it was the first way I found a way to engage with fellow bookl lovers in South Bay. The library also hosts many programs to help the community and educate people of all ages. Inside the architecture is beautiful. Bonus, we have a spectacular ocean view that gets even better at sunset.

    Interior design
    Lauren B.

    Beautiful, well-organized library with a beach view. So many resources and spacious quiet seatings, perfect for a studying session with the view of the famous Manhattan Beach! My kind of peace and how to spend a wellness day. Lots of parking and free for 2 hours! Definitely will come back when I'm around.

    Sheila W.

    I needed a library on Sunday and the only LA county library open was in Manhattan Beach. They are open 7 days a week. I am a big fan of libraries and they offer so much. The parking option is meter street and a parking lot meter. The librarians were helpful. I didn't get to tour the whole library but will be back.

    Library
    Ayoosh K.

    Very nice and clean library. It's convenient to park in the lot, however you can only do it for 2hrs at a time. Which makes no sense if you come in here to do some work. They even have private rooms. The view is magnificent and one of a kind of the ocean. Lost a rating for parking.

    Views from study room
    Rachel C.

    Very beautiful library with amazing views! There are 4 study rooms upstairs that you can reserve or just use if no one else if using them. Workers are helpful and parking is in the lot. Close walk to the beach and the park.

    Suzi Z.

    I went here to get some work done and avoid driving through traffic and I am so glad I did. The most beautiful public library; honestly probably THE best public library in this area. I've been to quite a few (Santa Monica, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills to name a few) but this is the best in terms of seating, architecture, books, and people. Some of the other libraries I've been to have too many kids running around amongst people trying to study but this one mainly has the children's area downstairs and main study spaces upstairs. Its super clean and there are giant glass windows where you can overlook Manhattan beach. I will say that it's smaller than others but definitely not lacking anywhere. I was able to get a library card in minutes- the staff was very friendly and helpful. I feel like the people are just more respectful in general when I've gone. Everyone is quiet and there's a relaxed feel.

    Cyn L.

    This is a gorgeous library in Manhattan Beach, just steps away from restaurants and the MB Pier itself. It's a 2-story library which is part of the County of Los Angeles library system. The benefit of getting a library card is that you can borrow from here, and return to another County library. You also have access to free downloads of books, and from what I read, access to movies as well. There's a really nice children's section on the first level with children's computers and neatly organized books. The upper level has an ocean view! The only downside is there's no free parking. There's either metered street parking or several lots nearby. The lot across from the library is limited to 2 hours, but it's reasonably priced at 75 cents per hour. Applying for a library card is easy and free!

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    Ask the Community - LA County Library - Manhattan Beach Library

    Is there an elevator for seniors?

    Yes, there's an elevator near the restrooms.

    Are you able to bring a coffee in from an outside store?

    I've never seen a library that allows food or beverages.

    Is there parking?

    The parking for this library is on the back side of the building, in front of the police department. Timed parking in the lot.

    Do I need a library card just to go in and do some work?

    No, you don't! However, if you need wifi, you'll need a library card and pin to access it.

    View All 5 Questions

    Review Highlights - LA County Library - Manhattan Beach Library

    Best to sign-in ahead of time but study rooms are usually available on the spot from 6p mon-wed.

    Mentioned in 12 reviews

    Read more highlights

    El Segundo Public Library - The big windows bring in a lot of light to the reading areas, reference, and resource shelving

    El Segundo Public Library

    4.0(51 reviews)
    2.6 mi

    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.

    Photos
    El Segundo Public Library - This is a vast seating area on the first level, albeit farther from the entrance

    This is a vast seating area on the first level, albeit farther from the entrance

    El Segundo Public Library - This is the reference area surrounded by large counters, supplies, and storage areas, with private study rooms beyond.

    This is the reference area surrounded by large counters, supplies, and storage areas, with private study rooms beyond.

    El Segundo Public Library

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    Redondo Beach Public Library -- The Main Library

    Redondo Beach Public Library -- The Main Library

    3.8(85 reviews)
    3.1 mi

    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.

    Photos
    Redondo Beach Public Library -- The Main Library
    Redondo Beach Public Library -- The Main Library
    Redondo Beach Public Library -- The Main Library

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    Westchester - Loyola Village Branch Library

    Westchester - Loyola Village Branch Library

    3.8(49 reviews)
    5.1 miWestchester

    Stopped by to print some papers and handle some business, but they were closed when I got there…read more Even though they couldn't help me directly, Rita was super helpful and still took the time to provide me with resources and recommendations on where else I could go. That's the kind of customer service that sticks with you. I originally got my library card here and honestly, interactions like this are why I love coming back. Great staff that actually cares about helping people out, even when it's not convenient for them. Would definitely recommend this location.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

    I've been to this library a handful of times now and have tried to make it work. I'm studying for a…read morelicensing exam and figured I could study there on Mondays since the Culver City library is closed. However, I have noticed that most visitors, who appear to be transient, spend their time either sleeping there or setting up their belongings, which can range from several bags to small carts, and then leave to hang out in front of the building or in the parking lot with others who are getting high. I understand that the library is small, so space is limited. Unfortunately, this creates a challenging environment for those of us who are trying to focus on our studies. The noise and disruption from people coming and going, coupled with the lack of available seating, make it difficult. Additionally, I have noticed that some of the vistors sometimes smell of alcohol or marijuana, and some appear to be tweaking out, which further detracts from the study atmosphere. My hope is that changes can be made for the safety of all visitors, especially children, as it may be confusing or scary for them to see such behavior. As an adult, I am aware of what is happening, but children may not understand. It would be beneficial if the library could implement some policies to ensure that the space is more conducive to studying, such as designated quiet areas or time limits on how long belongings can be left unattended. This way, everyone can enjoy the library as a resource without compromising its primary purpose as a place for study and learning.

    Photos
    Westchester - Loyola Village Branch Library - Kids space

    Kids space

    Westchester - Loyola Village Branch Library - Interior

    Interior

    Westchester - Loyola Village Branch Library

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    LA County Library - Hawthorne Library - Hawthorne Library: book return box

    LA County Library - Hawthorne Library

    3.9(18 reviews)
    3.9 mi

    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.

    Photos
    LA County Library - Hawthorne Library - Hawthorne Library

    Hawthorne Library

    LA County Library - Hawthorne Library - Hawthorne Library

    Hawthorne Library

    LA County Library - Hawthorne Library - Hawthorne Library: 5 parking spots

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    Hawthorne Library: 5 parking spots

    LA County Library - Manhattan Beach Library - libraries - Updated May 2026

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