Altadena Reopens Expanded Bob Lucas Memorial Library

The west side of Altadena celebrated resilience and renewal Saturday with the reopening of the newly expanded Bob Lucas Memorial Library & Literacy Center, a facility that bears the name of a man who spent his life advocating for the written word.

The event drew hundreds of community members, civic leaders, and elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Judy Chu, along with representatives from the offices of Senator Sasha Renée Pérez and Assemblymember John Harabedian.

For many in attendance, the afternoon was about more than bricks and mortar. It was a reaffirmation of literacy as a cornerstone of equity.

Autumn Mora, granddaughter of Bob Lucas, reminded the audience of her grandfather’s enduring message.

“He knew that literacy was the pathway to equity,” she said. “The last seven months have reminded us of what my grandfather already knew — that Altadenans are resilient. We are strong, and we rebuild.”

The revitalized center now boasts larger reading rooms, expanded computer labs, and dedicated spaces for literacy training and family programming. Its bright, modern interiors are paired with community gathering areas designed to serve residents of all ages. For many west side families, the library’s reopening fills a long-standing gap, bringing resources closer to home after decades of uneven access.

The library’s namesake, Robert “Bob” Lucas, embodied the very principles the institution seeks to foster. Born in Chicago, he began his career at the Chicago Defender before branching into radio dramas, documentaries and, later, television writing. His wide-ranging work included scripts for the famed “Shadow” series and a documentary, “Compton: The Quiet Revolution,” which earned him an Image Award nomination.

Lucas also authored “Black Gladiator,” a biography of boxer Jack Johnson, and served as West Coast editor for Jet magazine. In his later years, he contributed to the Los Angeles Sentinel while continuing a lifetime of freelance journalism.

When he settled in Altadena in 1971, Lucas turned his attention to community needs. Distressed by the west side’s lack of library services after Proposition 13 forced branch closures, he became a tireless advocate for reopening the Lincoln Avenue site. He later served as president of the Altadena Library District board, visiting the branch nearly every day until his passing.

Though Lucas died before the building was named in his honor in 1991, Saturday’s reopening reflected his vision: a neighborhood library not just as a repository of books, but as a hub of opportunity and equity.

Altadena Library District, 150 E. Mariposa St., Altadena. For more information call (626) 798-7331 or visit https://altadenalibrary.org.