The book collection includes titles relevant to the Peninsula, as well as the immediate neighbors who were part of its history, such as San Pedro, Torrance, Carson, Lomita, and the beach cities. Also included are biographies of people who helped develop the area, such as architects Myron Hunt and Kirtland Cutter, landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., and banker Frank Vanderlip, the visionary who saw what the land could become. His autobiography, From Farm Boy to Financier, has become a rare book.
The yearbook collection includes complete set of yearbooks from the three public high schools plus many from Chadwick School beginning in 1940. The collection also includes yearbooks from Rolling Hills Preparatory School (1985-2005), and Palos Verdes Intermediate School (1991-2001.) A small section of books written by local authors completes the book collection.
