Pasadena Librarian Rewarded for Her “Infectious Enthusiasm”

Hastings Branch Library Senior Librarian Diane Walker recently received the 2023 Infectious Enthusiasm Award from the Friends of the Pasadena Public Library.

The award recognizes Walker’s warm engagement with patrons, energy and support of library staff, and outreach to the arts community. Walker has been working at the Hastings Branch since 2014 and has decorated the library with artworks from local artists. She is known for her welcoming smile and genuine enthusiasm. It was presented to Librarian Walker on June 29.

The Infectious Enthusiasm Award was initiated by the Friends of the Pasadena Public Library three years ago in honor of Terry Cannon, a former library employee at the Allendale Branch who died of cancer in 2020. Cannon was an impresario and archivist who founded the Baseball Reliquary, a nonprofit organization that celebrates baseball’s history and culture.

The award is given annually to a library employee of any position or branch who has been helpful and attentive to the needs of patrons. The selection is made by a committee of the Friends, a volunteer group that supports the library’s programs and services.

The Friends also wish to honor the consistent innovation by all library employees throughout the pandemic and the closing of Central Library, which has been closed since May 3, 2021, until earthquake retrofit and repairs can be completed.

The Friends of the Pasadena Public Library is a non-profit community organization whose mission is to support the library’s programs, special services and cultural events. Priority is given to projects that instill the excitement of discovery and the love of reading in library patrons of all ages.

To learn more about the Friends of the Pasadena Public Library, visit their website,  www.friendsppl.org.