Library Board of Trustees 11/12 Annual Report

The South Pasadena Public Library, originally a Carnegie Library, has again continued to make advancements in serving the needs of local residents. In January of 2011, the City Librarian and the Board of Trustees embarked upon a Strategic Planning effort to obtain input from the community to determine the directions the Library should take to meet the challenges and needs of our diverse population.  Led by Linda Demmers, a Library Consultant, the Board with the help of the staff and community stakeholders conducted their planning to brighten the future of the Library. A survey was developed on the Internet and in paper copy, and then widely publicized and distributed, to elicit responses from both Library users and nonusers alike. Over 750 surveys were collected, tabulated and analyzed to set Library goals and objectives for the next four years.  Summarized goals are: (1) to expand and improve new technologies, (2) to provide a comfortable and accessible environment, (3) to obtain and promote materials that reflect community needs and culture, (4) to nurture a life-long love of reading and learning among youth, and (5) to work to ensure financial stability.

Because of significant proposed cuts to the Library’s 2011/2012 Budget, three Trustees appeared before the City Council during June and July meetings to request less severe reductions. The City Council came through by dedicating a large portion of their discretionary funds to restore the Library’s Books & Periodicals allocation to the previous year’s level. The Trustees are very appreciative of the Council for helping so much to support the reading needs of our more than 25,000+ cardholders. The Trustees also recognize that South Pasadena, like all cities, has budgetary challenges ahead. The Trustees and staff look forward to continuing to work with the City Council so that we can meet the sizeable library needs of the community. During the June Council meeting, the Mayor asked the City Librarian and the Trustees to explore revenue enhancing possibilities and as a result the Library will be contracting with a collection agency in early 2012 to service sizeable delinquent accounts on a trial basis. While the main impetus will be to reduce losses from unreturned materials, it is anticipated that the service will also increase revenue.

The South Pasadena Library is one of the most heavily used libraries in the state for its size. In 2010/2011 we checked out over 430,000 materials, an impressive average of more than 17 items per person per capita. 15 electronic data bases were licensed during the year and their usage increased by 5%.  The year’s purchase of children’s books numbered 6,290, new titles for teens totaled 5,558, and additions for adults exceeded 6,500.  The children’s collection and usage levels continue to expand as well.  The Summer Reading Program, with its theme of “One World, Many Stories,” engaged more than 2,700 children and teens.  Also to support young people, the Library supports the curriculum of South Pasadena schools with over 500 relevant textbooks and other materials, including the Tutor.com service which provides online homework help for students.  Additional youth programs include story times for young children four times per week and classes in writing and journalism for teenagers.  More than 15,800 attendees were enriched by these programs in 2010/2011.

One of the many busy places in the Library is the Community Room that is frequently used by the Library for a wide variety of programs, including author talks, film showings, musical performances, and theatrical events. Library Author Nights have drawn large appreciative audiences. To cite but a few, baseball historian Mark Langill spoke on his three books on Dodgers history and donated signed posters, Bob Mills presented his “The Laugh Makers” about Bob Hope’s comedy writers, and Father Greg Boyle charmed an overflow audience with his searing gang memoir, “Tattoos on the Heart.” LA archivist Tom Zimmerman also gave a delightful bird’s eye view of early Los Angeles from his book, “Paradise Promoted.”

Some of the films screened by the Library were “Who is Harry Nilsson?”, “The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill,” “Forgetting Dad,” and “The Legend of Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club.” All of the films presented featured their respective filmmakers. For each Author and Film Night, many of which had a decided South Pasadena focus, the featured books and films were purchased and added to the collection.  Contributions from individuals, the Friends, and other civic groups also helped with the events, as did a variety of grants.

Of particular interest was the Ray Bradbury’s 90th Birthday Celebration on August 19, 2010.  The party included a huge custom cake, a City Proclamation, and over 245 well-wishers, including Mayor Schneider.  A large outdoor screen and sound system were provided and Bradbury’s “Something Wicked This Way Comes” was projected both inside and outside the Library.  Mr. Bradbury also autographed four posters for the Friends which were auctioned as a fundraiser that raised $1200.   Funds for the celebration were donated by the Helix Foundation and the Friends, and the support of many other community partners greatly enhanced the proceedings.

Several plays were offered by the Library.  The East West Players Theatre for Youth performed “Allos: The Story of Carlos Bulosan,” about a Filipino-American author and migrant worker. A portrayal of Margaret Collier Graham, a nationally-known writer and the wife of the first Mayor of South Pasadena, was given by Elizabeth Pomeroy.  Actor Duffy Hudson wowed the audience with his interpretation of Edgar Allan Poe, and the story of five immigrant women entitled “Coming to America” by dramatist Stephanie Satie enlightened the audience.  In addition, several other highly popular events were presented in the Community Room including the Los Angeles Clarinet Choir, pianist David Batt, and the Lyric Opera of LA for the Eclectic Music Festival, as well as the Moon Festival for which the Library partnered with the Chinese American Club in September of 2010. The Restoration Concert Series, under the aegis of the Friends, offered outstanding classical music performances for the community.  The New Hollywood String Quartet and other prestigious ensembles were presented monthly. The ‘standing room only’ audiences were customarily very enthusiastic. 

There are also dozens of outside groups who gather regularly in the Community Room for meetings, workshops, recitals, and other get-togethers, including a senior Yoga group and Sisters in Crime, a mystery reading club.  Even though the Library has traditionally been known as a reading and learning center, it has become a vibrant local hub of culture and entertainment.

Another integral part of the Library family is the Friends of the South Pasadena Library, an independent, nonprofit support group. The group raises funds through an annual membership drive, via memorial donations, and from the proceeds of their used book store.  Their revenues help with new book purchases, enhancement of the facility, refreshments at many programs, an impressive website, and their quarterly newsletter.  During the past year, the Friends commissioned a beautiful architectural column for the Children’s Room by artist Jolino Beserra.  Reaching from floor to ceiling, the column colorfully uses pictures, words, symbols and numbers to decoratively display ideas and stories.  A piece of “touchable” art, it has become a favorite of children who visit the Library.

At present the Friends have 527 members, many of whom renew their registrations online.  At one of the 2011 Friends meetings, consultant Virginia Ikkanda-Suddith presented a valuable program on the art of fundraising. In recognition of all their many accomplishments, the Rotary Club of South Pasadena presented an “Organizations of the Year” award to the Friends in April.

Other Library art projects include the hanging of a small oil painting by local resident Jean Tryon that was donated by her family as a memorial. It now hangs in the northeast corner of the reading room.  A historic sculpture by nationally-known Merrell Gage entitled “The Children’s Hour” is being restored by Williams Art Conservators and will be hung when completed on the outside south wall above the patio.

The impressive amount of work outlined above could not have been achieved without the help of our legion of volunteer workers.  Every day, there are many dedicated volunteers present helping to keep our library moving forward.  To honor them, the Board of Trustees gave a Volunteer Luncheon this past March to express its appreciation.   Friends Treasurer Diana McGrail and Children’s Journalism Class Leader Andy Lippman were selected Volunteers of the Year.  Additional recognition was given to Linda Puchalski and Marcia Battin for their longtime service on the Board of Trustees, and Bob Stauffer, Beverly Engler and Mary Lou Suter were acknowledged for their decades of work for the Friends Book Store.

This past year has been very successful for our Library.  Not content to rest on its laurels, the Library continues to generate new ideas and projects. Work on all levels is positive and constructive, and plans are being developed to further improve and enhance the institution.  With a new Strategic Plan in place and with excellent leadership, the Library is still making significant advancements.