Pasadena Public Library Faces Twin Hurdles

The beloved 140-year-old institution Pasadena Public Library, stunned by closure of its Central Library building then battered by the pandemic, now faces two significant financial hurdles: funding for the Central Library seismic retrofit that could cost over $100 million and the looming expiration of a special tax that has provided 20% of its operating budget for years.

Speaking to Pasadena Now, Tim McDonald, acting director for Pasadena Public Library and Information Services Department, said so far, the department received $9 million from the state for the seismic retrofit project of the Central Library.

McDonald said it would be too early to come up with a complete funding strategy for the project at this time considering that the city is yet to determine the project cost. However, he said that the department is “continuing to explore” other funding mechanisms for the seismic retrofit.

“The funding strategy is really going to be reliant on … the exact dollar amount of the work that needs to be done.”

Earlier this year, at a meeting of the Public Library Commission on March 17, McDonald said the city manager will be the one to develop a funding strategy for the seismic retrofit.

“It will likely be a combination of grant funding and bond measure,” said McDonald at the time.

He also announced at the meeting that the Library had submitted an application to the National Park Service for a $500,000 grant and an application to the California State Library for a $10 million grant for the seismic retrofit.

According to Library Commissioner Michael Stammer, the seismic retrofit and renovation of the Pasadena Central Library, could cost up to $120 million, or more.

Designed by Myron Hunt and H.C. Chambers in 1924, Central Library was the first building completed in Pasadena’s historic Civic Center Plan and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On May 3, 2021, City officials ordered its closure after engineers had found that the building would likely collapse in moderate to large earthquakes.

On November 1, the Department of Public Works issued a Request for Proposals for the preparation of the environmental document and architectural and engineering design services for the seismic retrofit, as well as additional services for building systems upgrades and renovations at the library including: installation of a new fire alarm and fire sprinkler system; roof replacement; mechanical, electrical, and plumbing upgrades; Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades; and improvements to the exterior courtyard and parking lot.

Earlier this year, a team of library, public works and city planning staff who interviewed the firms that offered architectural and engineering design services for the seismic retrofit, recommended a firm the city should enter a contract with for the project.

Their recommendation is yet to be considered by the City Council.

Meanwhile, another obstacle the department is facing is the upcoming expiration of the Library Special Tax, which was last approved by voters in 2007 in a measure known as Measure C. In November 2022, voters will have a choice to renew the Library Special Tax by voting on The Library Services Continuation Measure, which has not yet been designated with a letter.

The Library Special Tax passed in 2007, authorized the City of Pasadena to levy a special parcel tax on real property at specified rates that adjust for inflation each year. Current rates are approximately $41 per single-family dwelling, $27 per apartment unit and $299 per non-residential parcel.

According to McDonald, the measure, which expires in February 2023, generates $2.8 million a year that is used for library services.

“Without that money the library would not have the same capacity to support school success, give people access to computers and the internet for their job searching their education or their just for entertainment purposes too.”

“We’re looking at cuts to library programs and services. It would impact our ability to retain qualified librarians who provide reference and advisory and information services to the community that are trusted and enjoyed by the community.”

At its last meeting the City Council directed city staff to prepare and return to the City Council all documents necessary to place a ballot initiative on the November 8 ballot related to the renewal of the measure.