To celebrate 140 years of serving the Pasadena public, the Pasadena Public Library (PPL) is collecting library stories from the community.
The online prompts read: “Tell us why you love the Pasadena Public Library” and “What is your fondest memory of the Pasadena Public Library?” People are asked to send in a photo with their story. It can be of the person themselves, a drawing, a letter or anything related to the story.
“We have already received several outstanding stories and look forward to receiving as many as the community wants to provide us with,” said Tim McDonald, library director. “It would be a great success if we received 140 stories for the 140th anniversary.”
The stories, along with researched histories of historical figures associated with the library and stories of past and present staff, will be collected and bound into a book that will be available at the library later this year; additional copies will be made available to the public.
Library leadership and staff, along with several community partners, came together to launch the Story Collection Project, part of the library’s year-long 140th anniversary celebration.
“The story collection project and the scope of the entire 140th anniversary celebration were inspired by the people whose lives and work made the Pasadena Public Library system what it is today,” McDonald said. “The stories of people like Abbot Kinney, who played an integral role in raising the initial funds needed to open the first Pasadena Public Library, and Myron Hunt, who designed the Central Library architectural landmark that solidifies Pasadena as a place where literacy is anchored in the heart of our city, will be chronicled.”
“However, we know the library’s story doesn’t end here,” he continued. “Beyond the trailblazers and innovators whose names are familiar, there are the stories of the community – the moment when service meets need and the reason the Pasadena Public Library has been essential for 140 years. The community members served by the library are the other half and the largely untold story of the library. We hope this project provides an opportunity to capture those stories and shed light on the symbiotic relationship between the community and the library. The library has a 140-year history because the community has 140 years of stories of learning, coming together and growing in the library.”
In May 2021, a structural assessment determined that the Central Library was at risk from earthquakes due to its unreinforced masonry structure and it was closed. Planning for the earthquake repairs, safety improvements and building upgrades is nearly complete, but funding for the construction project is not yet secured. A bond to fund the Central Library’s earthquake retrofit, repairs and upgrades will be put before voters in the November 5, 2024 general election.
Nine additional branches are open in the Pasadena area.
“The Pasadena Central Library will always be an open and safe place for reading, learning, browsing and flexible gatherings,” McDonald said. “By modernizing the historic Central Library, the Pasadena Public Library not only preserves its historic charm, but also reaffirms its commitment to the principles of democracy and equal access to information. The project will allow the library to continue its important role as a beacon of knowledge, culture and democratic engagement, ensuring that future generations continue to benefit from the power of education and diversity of voices.”
McDonald explained that the Central Library has served as a center for civic activities and continues to be an important community resource, a one-stop shop for people who need access to computers, Wi-Fi, high-speed Internet or productivity software for job searches, research or personal use.
It is a lasting part of Pasadena’s history and a significant architectural building, he added. Annually, 30,000 to 40,000 community members attend story times, author visits, cultural events, art nights, concerts, plays and other programs.
The Story Collection Project is just one part of the 140th anniversary celebrations. PPL is hosting a reading challenge with the theme “14 Books, 14 Decades,” which asks participants to read 14 books using specific prompts that highlight trailblazers, innovators, and forward-thinkers from the past, present, and future. Limited-edition collectibles bearing the 140th anniversary logo will be available at all library branches from now through October, with new pieces being introduced each month.
On the library’s YouTube channel, the community can watch a 140th anniversary commemorative video to learn more about the library’s history: its past, its commitment to the community’s current needs, and its aspirations for the future.
The deadline for story submissions is October 31, 2024.
