Library Commission to Review Summer Reading Plans

[UPDATED] The Pasadena Public Library Commission will convene its regular monthly meeting at Villa Parke Branch Library on May 21 to receive updates on the upcoming Summer Reading Program.

The meeting agenda includes a Villa Parke Branch Library update from Library Services Manager Jane Gov, who will also present information on the Summer Reading Program, which typically launches in June and runs through August. Director Tim McDonald will provide his regular Director’s Update, covering ongoing library operations and initiatives.

According to the Commission’s FY25 Work Plan, its primary focus remains raising awareness of the Central Library Earthquake Retrofit and Building Repairs Project and supporting efforts to reopen the Central Library. The Commission will review its progress on these priorities as part of a quarterly monitoring process outlined in their annual work plan.

The meeting will include a review of the draft FY25 Annual Report, which details the Commission’s work supporting library initiatives across three main goals: advocacy, fiscal responsibility, and diversity/equity/inclusion efforts. Commissioners have actively participated in community events, promoted cultural programming, and advocated for library funding, including the successful passage of Measure PL and the recent $195 million bond sale announced on May 8.

Circulation statistics to be presented show overall system usage down slightly (0.88%) compared to last fiscal year, with significant variations by location. While systemwide library circulation has decreased by nearly 50% during Central Library’s closure, eBook and digital media circulation have increased by 16.4%, and the Jefferson Youth Library has seen dramatic growth with circulation up 86.76% year-over-year. The statistics also reveal that all libraries were closed in January 2025 during wildfire recovery efforts, which impacted overall circulation figures.

The Commission will review recent publicity, including twelve news stories from April and May covering initiatives such as the Family Navigator Program for parents of young children, free health screenings, specialized storytimes for children with special needs, and the library’s 140th anniversary commemorative book. The Commission’s engagement with the Central Library Art on the Fence Project has helped maintain community connections during the renovation.

Other agenda items include the approval of minutes from the April 16 meeting, review of FY25 Work Plan tasks and monitoring, and information items including circulation statistics, record of attendance, and the 2025 Library Commission meeting schedule. The Commission currently has eight members, with one vacancy in District 3.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 21 at 6:00 p.m. at Villa Parke Branch Library, located at 363 E. Villa St, Pasadena. While the meeting begins at 6:00 p.m., public comment specifically begins at 6:15 p.m. This location is part of the Commission’s practice of rotating meetings through different branch libraries throughout the year to engage with all parts of the community.

Meeting materials are available on the internet at www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/library-commission.