The first Long Beach library was founded in 1896 in a room adjoining the City Council office. In 1899 the library moved into City Hall next to Pacific Park. In 1909 a new Carnegie library opened near the location of the present Main Library. In 1915 Pacific Park was renamed Lincoln Park. 

For more than six decades, the Main Library in Lincoln Park served the public, but a growing collection combined with a 1970 fire made construction of a new library a necessity. In 1973 work began on the new Civic Center, and in 1976 a new Main Library opened. On September 21, 2019 the City of Long Beach unveiled the new Billie Jean King Main Library at the corner of Broadway and Pacific downtown.

View a map of the Billie Jean King Main Library (PDF).

Library Amenities

• Public Computers
• Free Wifi
• Wireless Printing (fees apply)
• Copier (fees apply)
• Community Meeting Rooms (fees apply)
• Veterans Resource Center
• The Studios
• Family Learning Center and Supply-brary
• Center for Adaptive Technology (CAT)
• Special Collections
• The Miller Room
• Friends of the Library
• Air Conditioning
• Exterior Book Drop for after hours returns
• Guided Group Visits by appointment

Accessibility

• Fully ADA Compliant
• Accessible Main Entrance
• Accessible Restrooms
• Center for Adaptive Technology
• Elevator Access to All Library Floors
• Hearing Loop in Community Meeting Room
• Designated Parking in Garage

Parking Options

• Parking in Civic Center Garage: first 30 minutes free, $2.00 for first 3 hours then $2.00 each additional 30 minutes with library validation, $12.00 maximum
• Metered Street Parking
• Bike Rack

Visit ParkLB for more info about parking downtown.

Bus Routes

A majority of Long Beach Transit buses stop near this location including the Passport Shuttle. The Metro Blue Line is also nearby.

Visit Long Beach Transit for up to date bus schedules.