Redondo Beach Public Library

Redondo Beach established its first library in 1895 as a simple reading room in a donated building on the commercially busy Wharf No. 1. On January 2, 1909, the library moved to Room 5 in the west wing of the City Hall at 301 Emerald Street. By 1928 the need for additional space could no longer be ignored, and the Chamber of Commerce suggested a new building be constructed on the site of the old Hotel Redondo, which had been demolished in 1925 after thirty-five years as a seaside resort. Designed by the noted architect Lovel Bearse Pemberton, the new Spanish/Dutch colonial building in Veterans Park on the Esplanade was dedicated on July 2, 1930, and this iconic structure served as the main library for the city for sixty years. Toward the end of the 20th Century earthquake concerns prompted a consideration of the building's safety, and on July 5, 1991 the City closed the Main Library in Veterans Park and reopened in temporary quarters in the Redondo Shores Shopping Center. On July 20, 1993 ground was broken for construction of a permanent library adjacent to City Hall, and two years later on July 8, 1995 the new Redondo Beach Main Library opened at 303 N. Pacific Coast Highway. Back in 1930 when the Veterans Park Library was new, a branch library was opened in North Redondo at the Grant Community Hall in the Redondo Villa Tract. In 1949 this "North Branch" was moved to larger quarters on Artesia Boulevard. After many years of use that building was closed for demolition in February 2009, and a new building was constructed on the same lot. The new building opened to the public on September 28, 2010. It is the first City owned Green building and was awarded excellence in environmental design (LEED) certification. The Redondo Beach Public Library is not responsible for content that is posted by members of the public on this page; any comments that contain derogatory or offensive language will be removed. For emergencies, please call 911. The Library will not be responding to direct messages.