It’s time to start another academic year, which always feels like new beginnings. I hope that, however you spent your summer, you had time to relax and rejuvenate a bit. Here at the library, we stand ready to assist with your learning this year, whether that occurs in a formal setting or not.
And speaking of new beginnings, there are some new offerings at PPL. As a result of your parcel tax dollars, we are now able to once again offer 6 or 7 day service at all locations. Note the hours listings in this newsletter to check for “your” location open times. All locations (except Central) are now at higher service hours. YEAH!
And, there are new faces at some locations, too. We’ve added three new Librarian I positions so that branch pairings will have even better professional coverage during those extended hours. Look for these new librarians at La Pintoresca/Villa Parke, at Lamanda/San Rafael, and at Allendale/Hill Avenue branches. We are pleased to be able to offer their excitement and fresh ideas for you to enjoy. It’s especially exciting for us, as these three were all on staff already, but in non-professional roles. It’s always a joy to be able to promote “our own.”
As we move along in the year, watch for some other changes and upgrades around Central Library. For years, we have heard you say that we needed meeting rooms and/or study rooms for your use at that location. Well, we’ve finally found a way to make some space! As a result of more and more digital content, our demand for Reference space has lessened. That lets us move some fiction collections into that space and free up other locations. With all the shifting, we believe we will soon be able to create a small meeting/study room adjacent to the Main Hall, on the west end. This spot has served as a periodicals room, teen room, and general reading room. Fitting it out for small meetings or study areas makes all kinds of sense and will certainly address a pertinent issue. I have no timeline, but be assured that we’re working on it.
Another new space is the relocation of the law collection into the “Law Room” in the Reading Wing at the east end of the Main Hall. Located here are all the legal e-resources, study tables, dedicated Internet stations, copiers, and print collection. It is already proving to be a popular site, with many of our neighbors from the courthouse across the street able to access legal materials during our full 70-hour-a-week open hours.
Thanks again for all you do to help us make the Pasadena Public Library the very best that it can be. As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions. Have a wonderful autumn season!
