South Bay : NEW LIBRARY

They came, they saw and they checked out books.

More than 11,000 bookworms descended on Redondo Beach’s new main library Saturday for a grand opening celebration that included everything from a magic show to free ice cream.

“It was Grand Central Station on a crowded day,” library Director Shari Petresky said. “It was absolutely packed.”

The slate and copper building, which contains 130,000 books and state-of-the-art computer services, has remained busy throughout the week. Library lovers who were forced to trek to a mini-mall storefront while the $10-million building was under construction have been lining up outside the new library’s doors before it even opens. And more than a few are reluctant to leave at night.

“We’ve been swamped,” Petresky said. “But it’s been really nice to see people didn’t come just for the grand opening and then went away. They’re coming back.”