The Torrance Public Library is committed to providing materials and services in a variety of formats that satisfy the educational, informational, recreational and cultural needs of our diverse community.
The Library supports lifelong independent learning and the individual's need for current, popular and informational materials.
Torrance Public Library serves as a center for community information, services and activities.
A trained and helpful staff uses traditional and innovative methods and technologies to provide quality library collections, efficient services, and programs in easily accessible locations throughout the community.
E-mail the City Librarian Paula Weiner
Library Locations, Hours, and Circulation Services
Torrance Libraries will be closed as follows during 2010: New Year's - Friday-Sunday, January 1-3; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Monday, January 18 (in addition, the Katy Geissert Civic Center Library will be closed on Sunday, January 17); Lincoln's Birthday - Friday-Sunday, February 12-14; President's Day - Monday, February 15; Armed Forces Day - Saturday, May 15 (Civic Center Library only-all branch libraries will be open); Memorial Day - Monday, May 31; Independence Day - Monday, July 5; Labor Day - Monday, September 6; Veterans Day - Thursday, November 11; Thanksgiving - Thursday-Sunday, November 25-28 (in addition, libraries will close at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 24); Christmas - Thursday through Sunday, December 23-26; New Year's Eve - Thursday-Friday, December 30-31.
2010-2011 Sunday Hours: The Katy Geissert Civic Center Library is open on Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. September 12, September 19, September 26, October 3, October 10, October 17, October 24, October 31, November 7, November 14, November 21, December 5, December 12, December 19 2010 and January 9, January 23, January 30, February 6, February 27, March 6, March 13, March 20, March 27, April 3, April 10, April 17, May 1, May 15, May 22, June 5, June 12, 2011.
| Katy Geissert Civic Center Library |
| Address |
|
Hours |
3301 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance 90503
Phone: (310) 618-5959 |
|
Monday-Thursday: 10am to 9pm
Friday: 10am to 6pm
Saturday: 10am to 5:30pm
Sunday: 1pm to 5pm September through June |
|
El Retiro Branch Library |
| Address |
|
Hours |
126 Vista Del Parque
Redondo Beach 90277
Phone: (310) 375-0922 |
|
Monday - Thursday 11am to 8pm
Friday: CLOSED
Saturday: 10am to 5pm
Sunday: CLOSED |
|
Henderson Branch Library |
| Address |
|
Hours |
4805 Emerald St.
Torrance 90503
Phone: (310) 371-2075 |
|
Monday - Thursday 11am to 8pm
Friday: CLOSED
Saturday: 10am to 5pm
Sunday: CLOSED
|
| North Torrance Branch Library |
|
Address |
|
Hours |
3604 Artesia Blvd.
Torrance 90504
Phone: (310) 323-7200 |
|
Monday - Thursday 11am to 8pm
Friday: CLOSED
Saturday: 10am to 5pm
Sunday: CLOSED |
|
Southeast Branch Library |
| Address |
|
Hours |
23115 S. Arlington Ave.
Torrance 90501
Phone: (310) 530-5044 |
|
Monday - Thursday 11am to 8pm
Friday: CLOSED
Saturday: 10am to 5pm
Sunday: CLOSED |
|
Walteria Branch Library
|
|
Address |
|
Hours |
3815 W. 242nd St.
Torrance 90505
Phone: (310) 375-8418 |
|
Monday - Thursday 11am to 8pm
Friday: CLOSED
Saturday: 10am to 5pm
Sunday: CLOSED |
Organization of the collection:
The Library's collection is organized by the Dewey Decimal Classification. This system uses a numbering scheme to group books according to subject. The numbers and corresponding subject areas are:
| 000-099 |
General Works |
| 100-199 |
Philosophy |
| 200-299 |
Religion |
| 300-399 |
Social Sciences |
| 400-499 |
Language |
| 500-599 |
Pure Sciences |
| 600-699 |
Applied Sciences (Technology) |
| 700-799 |
Fine Arts |
| 800-899 |
Literature |
| 900-999 |
History |
Each item that the library owns (books, music scores, videotapes, etc.) has a label containing a three-digit number usually followed by a decimal point and some more numbers and letters. This is the item's Call Number. The first three numbers before the decimal point correspond to the subject areas listed above. A search by call number is part of the Library's electronic catalog.
Circulation
The regular circulation period is three weeks from the day that the book, audio-cassette, or music CD is checked out. 7-day check-out materials such as videocassettes and DVDs are labeled as such. 'Vacation loans' of eligible materials are for six weeks; vacation loans are not allowed on 7-day materials or on new books. Books, DVDs, CDs, and videocassettes may be renewed up to two times by using the "My Account" feature in the web catalog. If there is a request/hold on an item, it cannot be renewed. If the screen asks for "User ID", that is your library card number (barcode number), and your PIN number (the last four digits of your home phone number [that the Library has on file]).
The following materials are not available for check out: Reference books, newspapers, and adult magazines at Katy Geissert Civic Center Library.
Library patrons must be 18 years or older to borrow videos and DVDs
Fines and Fees
Due to budget constraints, starting July 1, 2003, there will no longer be a grace period for return of library materials. Fines begin accruing the day after the materials are due. Also beginning July 1, 2003, the video and DVD overdue fine will be $1.00 per item per day, and all juvenile materials will be $.25 per day.
New Library Cards
Library cards are valid for three years and can be renewed at no charge |
No charge |
| Temporary card (if you forget your card and staff has to look up your card number) |
$.50 |
| Lost/stolen/misplaced card |
$5.00 |
| Damaged library card |
No charge |
| Requests (for materials owned by Torrance Public Library) |
Adult - $.75, Juvenile - $.15 |
| Requests (Interlibrary loan) |
$5.00 -Adult and juvenile |
| Overdue fines |
$.30/day for adult items
$2.00/day for videos and DVDs |
| |
$.30/day for juvenile items |
| Processing fee for lost items |
$10.00 |
| Photocopy and microfiche reader printers |
$.20 per page (.15 with debit card) |
| Printers attached to CD-ROM workstations |
$.15 per page |
| Color copier (Civic Center Library only) |
$.75 per page
|
| Typewriters (you must bring your own paper) |
$.25 for 20 minutes |
Torrance Public Library books and materials can be returned to ANY Torrance Library,
not necessarily to the one the items were checked out from |
|
