Guest Opinion: Marlene Decker: Save The Pasadena Library!

Every great civilization, society and city has had or still has a great library. Our city which we love was founded first with a library. This center of our city is now in need of our help. The Central Library will remain closed until it can be seismically retrofitted.

The 97-year-old building designed by Myron Hunt, and listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks also needs to be updated to satisfy the needs of Pasadena residents. Central Library is the cornerstone of our public library system and offers vital support to the nine branch libraries.

Without Central Library there will be reduced services at all of the branches. I love our local Linda Vista Branch Library and the programs and services they offer and will hate to see these programs eliminated due to lack of funds.

“Public libraries are America’s open universities, they’re free, they’re accessible, and they open up worlds of possibilities to people who otherwise would be confined to ignorance,” quoting author Octavia Butler.

Central Library is the third part of the historic heart of our city and the last of the three to be retrofitted and improved. Time is now to support the library and vote YES on Measure PL!

Marlene Decker is a born-and-raised Pasadena resident.