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Find tranquility, beauty — and books — at these SoCal public libraries
The “Light Gate” sculpture stands adjacent to the entrance of the Manhattan Beach Library on Highland Ave.
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COOL SOCAL LIBRARIES
There’s something about a library that’s inherently beautiful. Maybe it’s the silence or the history of the building. Maybe it's the idea of books being shared among countless readers.
Some of the most gorgeous libraries are reflections of their respective communities. Whether it’s seeing a mosaic from a local artist, or standing in awe simply from the architecture itself, these libraries hold countless stories and we become part of them whenever we walk through their doors.
The libraries listed here are just a small sample of SoCal’s offerings. Need a green space to unwind with your latest fiction read? Does being surrounded by art and color help ease the drudgery of a study session? Remote work with an ocean view?
We hope there’s something on this list for you.
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The incident Wednesday night came amid early talks for the agency to adopt a pilot program for weapons detection on buses. -
The orders will go into effect 11 a.m. Tuesday. -
The big cat was captured within 200 meters of the animal crossing — a project expected to be complete in 2026.
East Los Angeles Library
- 4837 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles
West entrance of the East Los Angeles Library
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From its brightly-colored cylindrical towers to the mosaics that adorn the building’s entrance, the East Los Angeles Library is a tribute to Mayan designs, with a particular reference to their astronomical observatories.
Enter from the west — or parking lot — side, the red tower stands in for the sun. Above that entrance, visitors are greeted with a stunning mosaic mural by artist José Antonio Aguirre, carved out of limestone and comprised of Byzantine and Venetian glass. This exterior panel of the four-part mural shows an open book amid a sea of geometric shapes and images.
A view of the East Los Angeles Library’s east entrance adjacent to Belvedere Park Lake.
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Enter from the east or lakeside (yes, there’s a lake just steps away), the blue tower representing the moon.
East Tower, Mosaic Cycle Mural, “Our Legacy, Forever Presente”, “Arrival” movement by José Antonio Aguirre.
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The vast scope of Aguirre’s 2,000-foot-plus work unfolds as you continue your entry, and features prominent East L.A. figures such as Dolores Huerta, Cesar Chavez, Edward James Olmos and the late former First District County Supervisor Gloria Molina, who commissioned the artwork.
East Los Angeles Library interior featuring Mosaic Cycle Mural, “Our Legacy, Forever Presente”, “Departure” movement by José Antonio Aguirre.
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Outside, the library is surrounded by Belvedere Park — approximately 30 acres of greenspace and a recreation center. If you decide to take a stroll around the nearby lake, you’ll find ducks swimming and see artist Rude Calderón’s “Leaping Fish, Nature's Cycles” water features–two sculptures of fish, one leaping out of the water, and one diving back in.
A view of Belvedere Park Lake outside of the East Los Angeles Library.
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Billie Jean King Main Library
- 200 W. Broadway, Long Beach
Billie Jean King Main Library exterior on Broadway in Long Beach.
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The Billie Jean King Main Library in Downtown Long Beach is a study in modern architecture. From Broadway, this building looks like row after row of glass panes, white window frames and caramel-toned wood.
The structure was designed with sustainability in mind, and is made up of renewable timber that’s been reinforced where needed with steel and concrete.
The central atrium of the Billie Jean King Main Library.
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The focal point of the building is its central atrium, a large, open space on the first floor with light pouring in from all sides. This room can be used for events, workshops or exhibits, including an exhibition showcasing work from the city’s Professional Artist Fellowship, a grant program that honors living Long Beach artists who have affected local communities.
From left to right “Ethereal Queen” and “Unbreakable Spirit” by artist Stephanie Rozzo is displayed in the atrium of the Billie Jean King Main Library.
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Grab a desk overlooking the first floor to get another perspective of the expansive, light-filled interior space. Or catch a window seat with a view of Lincoln Park on Pacific Avenue.
View from the Billie Jean King Main Library overlooking Lincoln Park in Long Beach.
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Manhattan Beach Library
- 1320 Highland Ave., Manhattan Beach
A view of 14th street through the “Light Gate” sculpture by artists Mags Harries and Lajos Héder.
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The Manhattan Beach Library is a perfect example of how wonderfully spoiled we are by the weather here in SoCal. This two-story, 21,500-square-foot building on Highland Avenue offers panoramic views of the sun and the ocean of this beach city for all who enter.
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View from the second story of the Manhattan Beach Library.
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The theme of ocean living is evident throughout, like an eye-catching sea kelp sculpture with 10-foot tall leaves that hugs the ramp to the library’s stairwell.
The sculpture consists of multiple elongated, organic forms arranged in a flowing, wave-like pattern across the surface.
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“Personal Archaeology” installation by Kathy Taslitz near the stairwell of the Manhattan Beach Library
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Or the row of jellyfish floating overhead when you climb the stairs.
“Prevailing Affinities” installation by Kathy Taslitz near the stairwell of the Manhattan Beach Library.
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Cerritos Library
- 18025 Bloomfield Ave., Cerritos
Exterior of the Cerritos Library.
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From its golden titanium exterior to the T-Rex fossil replica inside, the Cerritos Library offers its patrons an experience to remember with every visit. In fact, it was designed to be the first "Experience Library," with themed spaces like an “Old World” collegiate-style reading room, or its 15,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, which faces the entrance.
A view of the Cerritos Library’s 15,000 gallon aquarium, shot from the library’s children’s area.
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Like the rest of the libraries on this list, Cerritos regularly displays work from local artists. Its latest exhibition features Patrice Monteiro, who uses a technique called paper quilling, where strips of paper are placed together to create each piece. The exhibit will be on display until Dec. 30.
“Joy is a Revolution” by Patrice Monteiro, inspired by Nettie Beatrice’s digital art, on display in the Cerritos Library through December 2025.
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Perhaps the biggest draw to this library is its children’s area. Step through the passage of giant story books and you’re in an enchanted world that includes a rainforest tree, a space shuttle, a lighthouse and the aforementioned 40-foot long Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton replica named Stan.
The Cerritos Library’s children’s area features a lighthouse, rainforest tree and 40-foot long Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil replicas.
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