Cerritos Library — Attraction in Cerritos

THE GOOD I have been going to library for years, ever since I was a kid, when I have the time to go there, I decently enjoy my visits every time I go. It's a huge library full of art and eye catching decor (The exterior is out of this world, it looks like something out of a sci fi movie hahah..) with beautiful art pieces outside of the library as well. The areas dedicated to specific age groups are well decorated with comfortable environments that suit them well. For example, the children's area brings off a calm yet adventurous feel (With a huge fish tank as well!), while the teens area give off a modern feel to them, and the sci fi and nonfiction area look like great places to study at. The history gallery and book store are exceptional and overall, the environment here is something that is definitely not a complaint. Overall, the cozy habitat of this library is definitely something that is not an issue.

As for teen and children recreational activities + volunteering? I have no say in this since I have never partaken in them but from what I see, they aren't too bad and should be considered. (I heard volunteens and children crafts are pretty good)

THE BAD: (And the Ugly...) The only MAIN issue I have about this library is the difficulty to access facilities and computers. To access computers AND wifi, a library card must be used (Understandable right?). However the process to obtain a library card is unnecessarily difficult and makes them inaccessible to the public. Compared to LA county library cards, the Cerritos library requires you to fulfill unnecessary requirements such as car registration dates, billing information, etc. They even make non-residents of Cerritos and non-students of ABCUSD schools pay a ridiculous $100 yearly fee!! Luckily, I am a student of the district (But not for long, I have a year left) but it us just unfair for adults wanting to access the technological features of the library. Its just an extremely restrictive process. I understand that it is a library catered to the local community on a civic level, but with the rising convenience and arrival of many different people around LA county. This library should expect to cater to the public more inclusively, rather than exclusively.

The Cerritos library may feel and look like a comfortable environment to study engage with. But the access to any facility, even basic necessities such as wifi, is disappointing to say the least. And it falls below my expectations to what a public library should be.

That being said, I know I cannot control everything I have said but I just wanted to voice the pros and con of this library. Not a bad place to visit though!

If you made it this far...

One of my favorite public buildings for it’s architectural, interior decorating and landscaped work of art! The Maurice Fleishman (architect) inspired design has encouraged other cities around the country to emulate the innovation with their own complexes. The library was the world’s first building to have an exterior of titanium plating. The multi-level complex features an entrance lobby that includes an elegant reading room, a prehistoric exhibit and a huge see-thru fish tank, the other side of which is the children’s room. As a former lighthouse keeper, the children’s room caught my attention with a lighthouse mock-up. There’s also a t-rex skeleton and a tree inside the same room. The kids really seemed to be enjoying their time here! There’s the usual sorted volumes of books, periodicals, media, study areas and library computers. A large area on the top floor includes the dedicated tech zone, where separate workstation booths give privacy, power and possibly ethernet to users. There’s a sizable collection of cd music and other electronic media for members to check out. As if that’s not enough, I also admire the efforts to transcend the physical library to the high tech, electronic services. Nowadays, online editions and streaming media have been replacing books, audio and video hard copy. The library now has amassed a sizable online offering for members to use. With premium library services, checkout and wifi use is limited to card carrying members. Residents of Cerritos automatically qualify for free cards, as are property owners, business operators, students of local schools and those employed within Cerritos. Those who don’t meet the criteria can purchase an annual library card for $100, or just access the enhanced wifi for $5.00 per day. There’s reference desks and check out counters. Restrooms are on the first floor. As mentioned in the Cerritos City Hall review, parking is free and includes an...

I'm a library person and I speak as someone who is a complete bibliophile. I heard wonders of this place and tried to check it out while I was a student at the nearby college. Although I do qualify for the $150 waiver (Yes, you heard that right, folks. It costs $150 for access to the library's resources), I didn't end up ever wanting to go back. Is this even a library? This place seems like it is nothing more than just for show and, while it is very lovely, it gives the impression of a superficial, commercialized, and classist shopping center. I get that it's probably a not-so-veiled attempt to discourage vagrancy and weed out the irresponsible library offenders, but in this day and age, it just comes off as petty and plain ridiculous. I've seen the state of LA county's libraries and I'll tell you one thing as a regular customer, rarely if ever do I see vagrants or irresponsible folk check out books. It's extremely rare to see anyone check out physical books nowadays. There are plenty of other ways to maintain libraries, but this isn't it. Libraries are meant to be read. At this point, I advise everyone to either head to the LA county libraries which has done away with late fees and fines (meaning you can check out books for as long as you need as long as you return them), or just go on the lib gen and library archive websites where you can find and download most online formats of books for free. This is just a way to make money off honest and tax-paying citizens. No one should have to pay 150 bucks for access to resources that you probably won't even find here in the end. It's not the Library of Congress, for God's sake. Set up a...