Hastings Library Reopened Wednesday

The Pasadena Public Library’s Hastings Branch reopened Wednesday after a five-week closure for building improvements, according to a library announcement.

The branch, at 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd., closed May 27 for the work, which was undertaken based on feedback from community members, the library said. The improvements added a new corridor through the reading area. The corridor gives direct access to the restrooms, which the library said will let the meeting room function as a dedicated programming and community space without patrons passing through it to reach the restrooms during events.

“We know how important the library is to our community, and while closures are rare, this work was necessary to improve the building for patrons and staff alike,” Library Director Tim McDonald said in the announcement.

McDonald has led the library department since February 2022 as acting director and was formally appointed to the post in June 2023, according to city records. He oversees a department of 10 branch locations that collectively circulate more than 1.2 million items a year.

The Hastings reopening comes as the library system continues a separate, larger renovation effort: the historic Central Library, closed since 2021 after being found to not meet earthquake safety standards, is undergoing a $195 million seismic retrofit that broke ground in late 2025 and is not expected to reopen until 2028, according to city officials. Central Library’s Law Room resources have been relocated to Hastings in the meantime, giving the branch added importance to patrons who use those legal reference materials.

Hastings Branch is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Hastings library staff said they are looking forward to welcoming patrons back and showing off the building improvements, according to the announcement.