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Community Corner

Libraries Offer More than Books

SAT practice, story time and computer classes are just the beginning of the free programs offered.

Nothing says frugal like free, which is why I love our public libraries. Everyone knows you can check out books at the library. Maybe you've even borrowed a movie or two, but did you know there are many free activities for children, teens and adults? Our local public libraries offer so much more than just books.

  • The Peninsula Center Library offers a Computer Basics class. They also offer puppet story times for kids as well as a teen book club. In addition to the main branch and Annex at the Peninsula Center, there are two other locations, Miraleste and Malaga Cove.
  • The Redondo Beach Public Library offers free Kaplan SAT practice tests. They offer story times for children in addition to after-school crafts and PAWS to Read program. There’s a free "Learn To Surf The Web" class as well as book clubs. In addition to the main branch, the North Branch is located at 2000 Artesia Boulevard.
  • The Hermosa Beach Library also offers the PAWS to Read program in addition to family story time and book discussion groups.
  • The Manhattan Beach Public Library offers a toddler story time and a preschool story time. They also have a kids’ book club for fourth to sixth graders and a teen book club for seventh grade and up.
  • In Torrance, the Katy Geissert Civic Center Library is the main branch, but there are five more branches in the City of Torrance. In addition to family and kids story time events, the library offers free Life Planning classes. They also offer teen and adult book discussion groups.

Library hours and event calendars vary by location and city. Please contact your local library with any questions.

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