History
The Manhattan Beach Library was started as a subscription library in 1910 by the Neptunian Women’s Club of Manhattan Beach. It joined the County of Los Angeles Public Library system in January 1915, making it one of the oldest continuing libraries in the county system. In 1957, the library moved into its first location in a separate library building, and into its present building on November 1, 1975. It currently serves a population of over 36,000, in a 3.87 square mile area stretching from the beach eastward.
Manhattan Beach is distinguished as the home of beach volleyball, where every August the Association of Volleyball Professional's (AVP) hold's its marquee international competition, the Manhattan Beach Open. The city is home to Skechers shoes, and a branch of Raleigh Studios, where a number of popular television shows are shot.
Downtown Manhattan Beach retains the feel of California beach cities, with a pier, a vibrant restaurant and shopping district, and the centrally located library. The city is close to LAX, and is a popular destination for vacationers and overseas visitors. El Porto and the Manhattan Beach Pier are two of the premium surf breaks in Southern California, frequented by locals and professional surfers alike.
Starting as a sleepy beach town, over the years the city has attracted residents working in the defense and aerospace industries, as well as airline employees and just plain lovers of the beach lifestyle. Today the population ranges from long established residents to many sports stars (ice hockey, basketball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, and tennis), actors, and literary personalities. Manhattan Beach has been nicknamed the "Pearl of the South Bay" for its beauty and desirability.
Collection
The library has over 136,000 adult and children's books; 176 magazine and newspaper subscriptions; 1,200 audio books on CD and tape; 1,500 music CDs; 2,900 feature film and documentary DVDs and videocassettes; microfilm of local historical newspapers for Manhattan, Redondo and Hermosa Beach; other historical materials on Manhattan Beach; and, Manhattan Beach City Council documents and related studies and reports . There are also materials in other languages, telephone directories, and California history books.
The library’s Community Room hosts a wide range of library sponsored activities, including book discussion groups, the Coffee and Classics Film series, 8 toddler and pre-school story times, and many special events for children and adults. The room also provides meeting space for local groups on an as-available basis.
Services
Reference Services; preschool story hours; online library catalog; Internet
computers; reader's advisory. The
Manhattan Beach Friends of the Library sponsors monthly
book sales at the library with a wide variety of books and audio visual
materials.
Facilities
The library occupies a 12, 150 sq. ft. single story building with an ocean view. Free, 2 hour parking is available on the top floor of the parking structure located east of Highland Avenue, off 15th Street, directly behind the library and city hall. Metered parking is also available in the underground parking structure, and across the street from the library on Highland Avenue.
Political Representatives
Local Links
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Beach Cities Health District
URL: http://www.bchd.org/
A public agency dedicated to promoting the health and wellness of all Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach California residents.
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California State University Dominguez Hills
URL: http://www.csudh.edu/
This site offers class schedules, admission information, distance learning and other useful information about the California University System.
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City of Manhattan Beach
URL: http://www.ci.manhattan-beach.ca.us/
Information about the City of Manhattan Beach.
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Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce
URL: http://www.manhattanbeachchamber.net/
Chamber of commerce information.
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Manhattan Beach Historical Society
URL: http://history90266.org/
Dedicated to the preservation and and protection of the heritage of Manhattan Beach, the society provides historical information about the city.
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Manhattan Beach Surf and Beach Report
URL: http://www.watchthewater.org/beach.cfm?bid=43
The Watchthewater.org web site of the County of Los Angeles Fire Department's Coastal Monitoring Network provides links to all county beaches with surf reports, web cams, facilities, and parking information.
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Manhattan Beach Unified School District
URL: http://www.mbusd.org
Information about the school district including school profiles.
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