It's been about two years since Long Beach's beloved Acres of Books indicated they were willing to go with the times and pack up and move along. The storied bookseller, which first opened in Long Beach in 1934, then moved to its next and final location in 1960, had thousands of books left, however, after they closed their doors.
Acres of Books' Inventory Sold Off Saturday as Fundraiser
L.B. Stands for Long Beach and Losing Books
If it wasn't enough for Long Beach to lose Acres of Books, the city is facing a $16.9 million budget deficit and one of the better-known victims of that may be their Main Library. To help ease that closure is "extending hours at 11 branch libraries and opening a downtown satellite location," says the Long Beach Press-Telegram. They report the closure will not go without a fight. However, in an earlier report, it was said that the library "would be unsafe in an earthquake, needs $10 million in roof and pipe repairs and is expensive to heat and cool because of its aging, inefficient design."
Ray Bradbury in Long Beach: 6/25/08
Celebrated author, Ray Bradbury paid a visit to his favorite local bookstore, Acres of Books, Wednesday afternoon to show his love and support for the soon to be closing Long Beach landmark. With only a days notice, local press and fans still managed to fill the store’s funky music room/gallery space to ask questions, take photos, get books signed and listen to reminiscences of a master story teller.

