Long Beach Public Library

Mission :

The mission of the Long Beach Public Library is to provide Friendly service; Useful information; Needed and wanted materials.

About Us:

Books, magazines, newspapers, films, compact discs, recorded books, large print materials, electronic databases.... the library has more than 190,000 items in all formats available to meet your recreational and informational needs. At the central library, a trained professional reference staff offers help in answering all types of informational questions. There is career information, and an array of programs for all age groups. The Adult Dept. has seventeen (17) computers for public use. The Youth Services Dept. assists children, parents, caregivers and teachers; they also have seven (7) computers for use by young people. Our newsletter, Channels, describes the central library's current programs and activities.

History:

The Long Beach Public Library was founded in 1928 and had its first site at 124 West Park Avenue. The original site has been declared a landmark by the Long Beach Historical Society just above the popular Sutton Place Bar and Grill.

The first year the Library was open, more than 2000 people registered for library cards. Seven years later the Library needed a bigger space so it moved its location near the Long Island Railroad. Although the space was bigger, many patrons complained about the noise level so a new location was needed.

The library moved to its current three floor building in 1954. In 1997, the Library underwent a major renovation.