Research Location - Torrance Public Library

The Torrance Public Library has several locations in the City of Torrance. The main library, also known as the Katy Geissert Civic Center Library, is located at 3301 Torrance Boulevard.  Hours are Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. During the school year (September to June), the library is also open most Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Their telephone number is (310) 618-5959; click here for their website.

The Torrance Public Library has microfilm for the following newspapers:

·        Daily Breeze (the local paper) – 1976 to present

·        Los Angeles Times – 1966 to present

·        New York  Times – 1961-1999

·        Washington Post – 1988-1999

In addition, you can search the Historical Newspapers Index of the Torrance Herald and the Torrance Press (1913-1969) and Historic City and Phone Directories (1922-1975) here.

The library also offers an obituary request service through their website. Click here for additional information.

Of particular interest to genealogists is the collection of the South Bay Cities Genealogical Society which is housed in a dedicated area on the lower level of the library. The collection contains many books of interest and there is an extensive periodical collection representing almost every state and some foreign countries as well. The society has volunteers on hand in the library on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the third Wednesday of the month from 5:30 to 7 p.m. A partial list of the periodicals held can be found on the society’s website. The society holds its general membership meetings in the library’s community room on the third Wednesday at 7 p.m.