All LA County Library locations will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2025 in observance of New Year's Day. Libraries will close at 5 pm on December 31. Our digital library is open 24/7.
Gardena Mayme Dear Libraryhttps://lacountylibrary.org/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150LA County LibraryLA County Library//lacountylibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LACL-black-Logo-225px.png
Gardena Library was born under the sponsorship of the Wednesday Progressive Club before the Los Angeles County Free Library was founded in 1912. In 1914, Gardena Library became a branch of the new County System. Only a few months later, the library was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles City Library Board due…
Hermosa Beach Libraryhttps://lacountylibrary.org/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150LA County LibraryLA County Library//lacountylibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LACL-black-Logo-225px.png
The Ocean View School on Monterey Blvd., where the St. Cross Church now stands, housed the first library. In 1913 it became a part of the Los Angeles County Public Library system, occupying a room in the Walker Building on the northwest Corner of Pier and Hermosa Avenues. On August 10, 1962, after forty-five years…
Lomita Libraryhttps://lacountylibrary.org/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150LA County LibraryLA County Library//lacountylibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LACL-black-Logo-225px.png
The Los Angeles County Free Library was a little over a year old when the Lomita community applied for service. A branch was established in a local clubhouse in June 1914 with 232 books which were mostly donated, 14 registered card holders, and a volunteer custodian in charge of the library. By 1918 its original…
Manhattan Beach Libraryhttps://lacountylibrary.org/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150LA County LibraryLA County Library//lacountylibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LACL-black-Logo-225px.png
Manhattan Beach Library was started as a subscription library in 1910 by the Neptunian Women’s Club of Manhattan Beach. The library became part of LA County Library in January 1915, making it one of the oldest continuing libraries in the county system. The library moved into a separate building in 1957 and to its current…
Masao W. Satow Libraryhttps://lacountylibrary.org/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150LA County LibraryLA County Library//lacountylibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LACL-black-Logo-225px.png
In 1958, two branches (Moneta, opened in 1913 and Strawberry Park opened in 1919) merged into West Gardena Library. A fire in 1969 caused the branch to move into a new building. The new building located at 14433 S. Crenshaw, was dedicated on February 26, 1977, in honor of Mr. Masao William Satow. Mr. Satow…
Please note that all LA County Library locations will close at 5 pm on December 31 and will be closed on January 1, 2025.
Many of our libraries offer enhanced resources, computers, and online services to support your homework needs. Check with your local library!
Kindle Paperwhite eReader
Welcome to a New Way to Read...
Have you walked into a library and wished you could check out more books than you could possibly carry? Check out a Kindle Paperwhite at participating libraries with a collection of titles that you are sure to enjoy. Each Kindle has been loaded with expert-selected books.
You don’t need internet access - all the books are pre-loaded onto the Kindle so you are ready to read.
Three week checkout
Renew up to 3 times, as long as no one else is waiting
Must be 18 or older (or under 18 with parent permission)
eBooks cannot be added to this device by user
How do I get one?
Visit a participating library to check out or place a hold on a Kindle Paperwhite. Kindles are not sent to other libraries for pick up.
Note: Selection of genres varies per library. Click on a library below to see the list of genres.
Library Locations with eReaders
Click on the library to view list of genres available.
Terms of Service and Laptop Library Locations
Laptops in this kiosk can be checked out by customers with a LA County Library card in good standing. The laptop is due back in the kiosk before the library closes on the same day it is checked out.
If you do not return the laptop to the kiosk on the same day you check it out, your library account will be charged the full replacement cost of the laptop.
When you check out a laptop from this kiosk, you agree to use it within the library only. If you remove the laptop from the library, you may held criminally responsible for theft of the laptop and/or be charged the full replacement cost of the laptop.
You are responsible for the laptop and you agree that you will reimburse the LA County Library for any damages if the laptop is damaged, lost or stolen while checked out to you.
If you check out a laptop and it is damaged, you will give it to library staff immediately.
You must save to a removable storage device (such as a USB drive) since your work will not be saved to the laptop beyond your current checkout.
LA County Library will not be held responsible for any damage or loss of data or media due to any cause while you are using a laptop from this kiosk.
By using this laptop, you must adhere to the Library’s Acceptable Use Policy. Laptops are available at the following libraries:
With your LA County Library card, you can download or stream eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, music, and movies on your computer, tablet, or phone. It's free and you'll never have to worry about overdue fines!
You'll need a library card in good standing and a PIN to access most downloadable & streaming content.
Consumer Health Information Program
The Consumer Health Information Program assists the public with medical research by providing information from reliable sources. Customers are invited to use the Norwalk Library collection which consists of books, magazines, videos, and online databases related to health topics. We also provide individualized research services.
Please be aware, we do not provide medical advice, nor are the materials we provide a substitute for a professional medical opinion.
What Can We Do for You?
We can provide you with information on topics such as:
Medical conditions or diseases
Prescription medications
Surgical procedures
General physician and hospital information
Book and website recommendations for further reading
A Family Place Library is a center for early childhood information, parent education, emergent literacy, socialization, and family support. Family Place builds on the knowledge that good health, early learning, parent involvement, and supportive communities play a critical role in young children's growth and development. Each Family Place Library features the following core elements:
A bright, colorful, and welcoming space for young children and their parents.
A collection of books, toys, videos, music, and other materials for babies, toddlers, parents, and service providers
Access to resources that emphasize emergent literacy, reading readiness, and parent education.
Developmentally appropriate programming, such as baby and toddler storytimes for younger children and their parents.
Outreach to new and underserved populations.
The Parent-Child Workshop is a five-week workshop featuring local professionals, such as nutritionists, speech and language therapists, and child development experts, who serve as resources for parents.
The first three years of a child's life lay the foundation for learning. Get the tools and resources you need to give your child the best possible start.
Great! Thank you for sharing your photos with Catalina PhotoShare, a community history project of LA County Library.
Your photos will be reviewed and if they meet the criteria, they will be added to the Catalina PhotoShare online collection.
If you have any questions, please contact: digitalprojects@library.lacounty.gov
LA County Library Californiana Collection
Accessing the Collection
The Californiana Collection is in closed stacks at the Norwalk Library located at 12350 Imperial Hwy, Norwalk, CA 90650.
About the Collection
The Californiana Collection consists of over 24,000 books and over 200 magazine and newspaper titles in paper and on microfilm as well as a collection of state documents including state and county budgets. The goal of this collection is to present a complete picture of the history, culture, environment and artistic expression of the people of California and to some extent, the western United States.
Collection Highlights
California Census Schedules from 1850 to 1910
Copies of The Alta California newspaper 1849-1891, as well as dozens of other 19th century newspapers from Gold Rush boomtowns, the Owens Valley and San Francisco
Official city and county histories from the 19th and 20th centuries
Materials on the Donner Party, California water projects, famous California crimes, Hollywood culture, biographies of Californians, pioneer narratives of the early days of California, and histories of the state written over the course of 150 years
