Cerritos Library - Hours, Address & Services | Cerritos, California

City of Cerritos — Los Angeles County

Cerritos Library

World-Famous "Experience Library" — One of America's Most Extraordinary Public Libraries

Address

18025 Bloomfield Ave
Cerritos, CA 90703

Hours Today

Mon–Fri: 11 AM – 7 PM
Saturday: 11 AM – 5 PM

About Cerritos Library

The Cerritos Library is widely recognized as one of the most spectacular public libraries in the United States — and the world. Far more than a place to borrow books, it is a fully immersive "Experience Library," the first of its kind anywhere on the globe. Spanning 88,500 square feet across three stories, the building dazzles visitors with themed rooms, museum-quality exhibits, a soaring titanium-clad exterior, and a collection of more than 300,000 items.

The current state-of-the-art facility opened on March 16, 2002, representing a $40 million investment by the City of Cerritos. Its futuristic architecture was inspired by the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and the concept of "The Experience Economy." It stands as the first titanium-clad public building in North America. Architects Jim Nardini (Charles Walton Associates) led the redesign, while Judy Van Wyk and Design Studio handled the breathtaking interior theming.

The library's roots go back to 1973, when it was originally dedicated in honor of First Lady Patricia Nixon — a Cerritos-area resident. Today, the First Ladies tradition continues through a permanent exhibit of portraits of every First Lady of the United States.

Why Cerritos Library is Famous

  • First "Experience Library" in the world — themed environments that transport visitors into different worlds
  • Titanium-clad exterior — the first titanium-clad public building in North America
  • 15,000-gallon saltwater aquarium — a stunning 10-foot-high, 21-foot-wide viewing wall in the Children's Library
  • Stan the T-Rex — a scientifically accurate 40-foot Tyrannosaurus rex replica from the Black Hills Institute of South Dakota
  • "Spirit of Cerritos" Space Shuttle — displayed under a ceiling mapped with constellations
  • Old World Reading Room — leather-bound books, a fireplace, chandeliers, and a 19th-century European aesthetic
  • First Ladies collection — permanent portraits of every US First Lady, honoring the library's original 1973 dedication to Pat Nixon
  • Over 200 computer workstations and a Hi-Tech Training Lab
  • Skyline Room — a 250-person banquet/event hall on the top floor with terrace views

Awards & Recognition

Thea Award (2003)

Themed Entertainment Association — Outstanding Achievement

AIA / ALA Award of Excellence

American Institute of Architects & American Library Association

Best Public Library

Reader's Digest (2003–2004); LA Magazine & LA Parent

Five-Star Library

Library Journal National Ratings (2009); one of world's most beautiful


Library Hours

Monday 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday Closed

Closed on New Year’s Day, MLK Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

Library Services

  • 📚 Books, eBooks, Magazines & Audiobooks
  • 🎬 DVDs, Blu-Rays, Music & Streaming
  • 💻 200+ Computer Workstations & Free Wi-Fi
  • 🖨 Print Center (printing, scanning, faxing)
  • 👶 Children’s Programs, Storytimes & STEM
  • 🎓 Teen Studio with dedicated tech space
  • 📖 Adult Book Clubs & Community Events
  • 🌐 Multilingual materials (9 languages)
  • 🏛 Special Collections: First Ladies, Local History, Book Art
  • ♿ Adaptive Technology Rooms
  • 🏢 Meeting Rooms: Board Room, Hi-Tech Lab, Skyline Room

📖

Read Away Your Fines Program

Patrons under age 18 with overdue fines can participate in the "Read Away Your Fines" program — for every 30 minutes spent reading, library staff will remove $2.50 in fines for overdue age-appropriate books. Reading your way to a clean record has never been more rewarding!

The Themed Rooms That Make Cerritos Library Unforgettable

Cerritos Library pioneered the concept of the "Experience Library" — a space designed not just to store information, but to ignite imagination. Each floor and section transports visitors somewhere entirely different.

🌊 Children's Library & Aquarium

The heart of the Children's Library is its magnificent 15,000-gallon saltwater aquarium — 10 feet tall and 21 feet wide — teeming with colorful reef fish and sea life. The 7,000 sq ft children's space also features a ceiling lit with constellations, rainforest exhibits, a geologic timeline, and the "Wetlands" computer area with safe internet for kids.

🏰 Old World Reading Room

Step back into 19th-century Europe without leaving Cerritos. The Old World Reading Room features leather-bound books, a crackling fireplace, ornate chandeliers, and quiet study spaces that recall a grand European library. It is a sanctuary for serious readers and history lovers alike.

🦕 Stan the T-Rex

STAN™ is a scientifically precise 40-foot Tyrannosaurus rex replica acquired from the Black Hills Institute of South Dakota — the same organization that excavated the original fossil in 1992. Stan's skull is the most complete T-Rex skull ever found, making this one of the most accurate T-Rex displays anywhere in the world.

🚀 Spirit of Cerritos Space Exhibit

The "Spirit of Cerritos" space shuttle model soars above a stunning space mural inside the Children's Library. A lighthouse stands nearby, and the ceiling above is a planetarium-style display of constellations — making this corner of the library a launch pad for young imaginations.

🏛 First Ladies Gallery

The library was originally dedicated in 1973 in honor of First Lady Patricia Nixon, who was a Cerritos-area resident. This legacy lives on through a permanent gallery of portraits representing every First Lady of the United States — a unique tribute found nowhere else in the American library system.

🌿 Rainforest & Wetlands Exhibits

Immersive nature exhibits throughout the Children's Library include a towering rainforest tree display, a geologic timeline walkway, and the wetlands-themed computer lab. These exhibits blur the line between library and natural history museum, fostering curiosity and environmental awareness in young visitors.

Digital Resources

With a valid Cerritos Library card, you have free 24/7 access to a wide array of digital platforms for reading, streaming, learning, and research — all from home.

eBooks, Audiobooks & Streaming

  • ☁️

    CloudLibrary
    eBooks & eAudiobooks with one-click borrowing. 21-day loans. Works on iOS, Android, Kindle Fire & Chromebook.
  • 📱

    eBooks for All California (Palace Project)
    40,000+ eBooks & audiobooks via the Palace Project app. Multiple loan period options.
  • 🎵

    hoopla Digital
    eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies, TV, comics & music — borrow instantly, no waitlists. Includes hoopla for Kids.
  • 🎬

    Kanopy
    Award-winning films, documentaries, The Criterion Collection, PBS, The Great Courses & Kanopy Kids (2,000+ children’s titles).

Research, Learning & Databases

  • 🔬

    Articles & Research Databases
    Academic journals, business resources, science, legal information, genealogy databases, and student research tools.
  • 🚗

    Auto Repair Guides
    Digital repair manuals and guides for vehicles — free with your library card.
  • 🌍

    Language Learning & LOTE4Kids
    Language learning programs for adults; LOTE4Kids features audio-enhanced picture books in 75+ languages for children.
  • 📰

    Digital Magazines & Newspapers
    Online access to newspapers, magazines, career resources, test prep, and eLearning platforms.

Getting a Library Card

Who Qualifies for a Free Card?

A Cerritos Library card is free for anyone who:

  • Lives in or owns property in Cerritos
  • Works in Cerritos
  • Attends school in Cerritos
  • Works for or attends ABC Unified School District
  • Works for or attends Bellflower Unified School District
  • Works for or is enrolled at Cerritos College
  • Is staying at the Cerritos Sheraton
  • Is active-duty military (permanent or temporary CA resident)

Non-qualifying individuals may purchase an annual membership for $100 (non-refundable).

How to Register

You can begin registration online, but you must appear in person with:

Primary ID (one required):

  • Valid California Driver’s License or State ID showing current address

Secondary ID (one required):

  • Utility bill (postmarked within 60 days)
  • Rent receipt or property tax bill
  • Credit card or bank statement
  • Car registration

Minors require a parent or guardian’s signature. No P.O. Boxes accepted. Both documents must show the same name and address.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Cerritos Library different from other public libraries?
Cerritos Library is the world’s first “Experience Library” — a public library designed as an immersive environment, not just a collection of books. It features themed rooms (an Old World European reading room, a Children’s Library with a 15,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, a constellation ceiling, and nature exhibits), a 40-foot T-Rex replica, a space shuttle model, a First Ladies portrait gallery, and a titanium-clad exterior inspired by the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. The library won the Thea Award — an honor typically given to theme parks and major entertainment venues — and has been called one of the world’s most beautiful libraries.
What are the Cerritos Library hours?
The Cerritos Library is open Monday through Friday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The library is closed on Sundays and on major holidays including New Year’s Day, MLK Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Always call (562) 916-1350 or visit library.cerritos.gov to confirm current hours before your visit.
Can I see the aquarium without a library card?
Yes! The Cerritos Library is a public facility — anyone can walk in and experience the 15,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, the T-Rex replica “Stan,” the space shuttle “Spirit of Cerritos,” and all the themed rooms without needing a library card. You only need a card to borrow materials or access digital resources. The library is a popular destination for families, tourists, and school groups visiting for its museum-like exhibits.
What digital resources does Cerritos Library offer?
With a valid library card, you get free access to CloudLibrary (eBooks and eAudiobooks), the Palace Project / eBooks for All California (40,000+ titles), hoopla Digital (movies, TV, music, comics, eBooks — no waitlists), Kanopy (award-winning films and documentaries including The Criterion Collection and Kanopy Kids), plus research databases covering business, science, genealogy, legal resources, auto repair guides, language learning, and digital magazines and newspapers.
How do I get a Cerritos Library card?
Free cards are available to anyone who lives, works, or attends school in Cerritos, or is affiliated with ABC Unified School District, Bellflower Unified School District, or Cerritos College. You can start registration online at the library’s website, but you must appear in person with a California Driver’s License or ID and one secondary document (utility bill, bank statement, rent receipt, or car registration) showing your current address. Minors need a parent or guardian present. Non-residents can purchase an annual membership for $100.
Does Cerritos Library have programs for children?
Yes — the Children’s Library offers storytimes (for ages 5 and under, limited to 40 participants, held in the Little Theater), arts and crafts classes, STEM activities, Beanstack Reading Challenges, the annual Summer Reading Program, and the “Explore and Learn” interactive exhibit experiences. The children’s area also features educational displays including Stan the T-Rex, a rainforest exhibit, the Spirit of Cerritos space shuttle, and computer workstations with age-appropriate content. Check the Events Calendar at calendar.cerritos.us/library or call (562) 916-1350 for current schedules.
Can I rent event space at Cerritos Library?
Yes, the Cerritos Library has three rentable spaces: the Board Room (capacity 15), the Hi-Tech Training Lab (capacity 27), and the spectacular Skyline Room (capacity 250, with terrace views). These spaces are available for community, corporate, and private events. Contact the library at (562) 916-1350 or visit the website for availability and rental rates.

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