The South Pasadena Public Library and the Friends of the South Pasadena Library honored volunteers on April 9 who have provided more than 6,600 hours of service.
More than 50 people gathered in the library’s community room to be lauded by Mayor Evelyn Zneimer, Librarian Cathy Billings and Library Board of Trustees Chairman Anne Chang Long.
The South Pasadena City Council last month passed a resolution proclaiming April 9 as “Library Volunteer Recognition Day” in South Pasadena.
In her remarks, Billings praised the volunteers — both adult and teens — and noted that 255 membership subscriptions had brought in $27,000 in revenue; while the bookstore had produced $55,000 in money for use by the library.
More than 1,900 readers registered for last summer’s reading program, and 60 youth volunteers donated 1,600 hours of service both to that program and to the Teen Advisory Board.
Nine Restoration Concerts, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, were enjoyed by 1,200 attendees.
The library’s collection grew over the past year, Billings said, by 700 South Pasadena Unified School District historical photographs, which were scanned, researched and identified to be added to the library’s online collection.
Long talked about the excitement her child gets when entering the library, and the board chairman then pivoted to the excitement that is building for plans for future plans for the site of the library and adjoining Senior Center.
Volunteers — during the hourlong gathering — had a chance to mingle with each other and library and City Councilmembers and city staff, including City Manager Armine Chaparyan.
First published in the April 19 print issue of the South Pasadena Review.
