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
Through Sunday, June 15, 2008, the Katy Geissert Civic Center Library will be open on selected Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Those Sundays include:
January 6 March 2
January 13 March 9
January 27 March 16
February 3 March 30
February 10 April 6
February 24 April 13
April 20
April 27
May 4
May 18
June 1
June 8
June 15
Torrance Public Libraries will be closed the following days during 2008:
Tuesday, January 1
Monday, January 21
Tuesday, February 12
Monday, February 18
Saturday, May 17 (Civic Center Library only)
Monday, May 26 |
Friday and Saturday, July 4 & 5
Monday, September 1
Tuesday, November 11
Thursday-Sunday, November 27-30
Wednesday & Thursday, December 24 & 25
Wednesday, December 31 |
| 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 9/9/07-6/15/08 (with exceptions [see above]) |
| 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, or other material is checked out. 7-day material such as videocassettes and DVDs are labeled (and do not renew). Vacation loans are available for six weeks. Vacation loans are not allowed on 7-day materials or on new books. Books may be renewed one time by using the "My Account" feature in the web catalog.. If the screen asks for "User ID", that is your library card number (barcode number) and your PIN number is the last four digits of your home phone number.
The following material does not circulate: 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 by coming into any branch. |
No charge |
| Temporary card (if you forget your card) |
$.50 |
| Lost/stolen/misplaced card |
$5.00 |
| Damaged library card |
No charge |
| Requests (owned by Torrance Public Library) |
Adult - $.75, Juvenile - .15 |
| Requests (Interlibrary loan) |
$5.00 -Adult and juvenile |
| Overdue fines |
$.25/day for adult items
$1.00/day for videos and DVDs |
| |
$.25/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 |
$.25 for 20 minutes |
| Microcomputers |
$3.00 per hour |
Books checked out from one branch can
be returned at any other branch. |
|
