Thursday, January 20, 2011

Four Stars, To Be Exact

I learned from the 1/17/11 issue of Wired Women, Monica Hubbard's packed-with-Pasadena e-newsletter, that the Pasadena Public Library earned a four star rating from the The Library Journal "for providing exceptional response to patrons and superior customer service."

The Library Journal, a trade publication for libraries (as opposed to, say, itinerant rodeo riders), was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey, the guy who invented the Dewey Decimal System. It has the highest circulation of any library journal. I mention these things because I think they make recognition of our library by this publication especially brag-worthy.

I enjoyed reading about library director Jan Sanders, who in 1999 was named to the Intellectual Freedom Hall of Fame. Could there be a cooler hall of fame? Maybe, but this one's way up there. Apparently it's not like the Baseball Hall of Fame or the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame in that it doesn't have an actual hall. I couldn't find it on the internet. But still.

Congratulations to Ms. Sanders and the Pasadena Public Library. May your (our) funds not be cut too deeply.

Be made whole by books as by great spaces and the stars. I love the library.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

how beautiful. love the detail and message. great shot!

btw....i'm sorry i missed you on sunday i hope you all had a great time.

Shell Sherree said...

Very cool and brag-worthy, Petrea! And I hope itinerant rodeo riders do have their own trade publication. I'm sure it would be helpful.

Margaret said...

I love the library too. It's one of my favorite places in the city.

Bellis said...

How cool that an astronomer chose the carved quotes! Your link to the architectural features page is fascinating. Come back Myron Hunt, Pasadena needs you.

Petrea Burchard said...

Hi Maria, we did have a nice time and we missed you! (SoCal fans of Paris Daily Photo got together.) Hope you can make it next time.

Salut Francesc, Gracias!

Shell, wherever there are people doing something there's a trade publication about it.

And we have those lovely smaller libraries too, Margaret. I haven't been to all of them.

I like that page, Bellis. I found it by googling the phrase about the books, space and stars.

Anonymous said...

I didn't even know what this was. Very cool perspective.

Sunroom Desk said...

Lovely library and photo! I'm waiting for a great photo (or conceptual graphic) of the Intellectual Freedom Hall of Fame!

Latino Heritage said...

Cool picture - love the shadow work. Libraries are one the great jewels in the Crown City.
I understand the work on the Hill Brach is going well. Each branch is a gem.

irinapictures said...

This house of books make be hope that e-books will not win))

Cafe Observer said...

I actually knew this! But of course the PIO won't have a mystery history on that!!

And of course recently, Pasadena's Martha Camacho was named one of the American Library Association's Emerging Leaders of 2010!! She's young & maybe one day she'll be Library Director!

Gotta support our libraries in these days of tax & cuts!

Susan Campisi said...

What a delightful post. The humorous tone perfectly expresses your affection. You’re a lover of words: no wonder you love the library.

Petrea Burchard said...

It doesn't surprise me that we've got some library lovers here.

Roberta, what are they doing at the Hill Branch?

Irina, I think it'll be like radio vs. TV--everyone thought TV would kill radio, but in the end we have both.

Cafe, thanks for the news about Ms. Camacho. We have a stellar staff!

Thanks, all, for your input.

Virginia said...

Oh now this is one FINE FINE photograph. Girl, get outta this town! Take a deep bow.
V

Ms M said...

Excellent photo! And wonderful that you have an award winning library!

alex said...

wow! never been inside, clearly missing out.

Bellis said...

Just noticed there's a palm tree trunk on the right of your photo. Was this one of those Myron Hunt chose to frame the sides of the building? Thanks for this beautiful photo of my favorite library - both people and architecture (apart from the parking).

Petrea Burchard said...

Oh all of you now stop. No, do go on.

Bellis, this is indeed one of those trees, although I wasn't sure from reading the links if these were the original trees or if they're just located where Hunt originally wanted them to be.

Steve Scauzillo said...

I'd love to be in the Words Hall of Fame. Seriously, it is a good library.

Katie said...

Great photo - what a gorgeous building! I like the carved quote "be made whole by books". The architecture definitely seems to say that reading is a worthy endeavor.

Petrea Burchard said...

I've always loved books. I started reading very young. I always have a book with me and I'm never bored.

Su_Tune said...

This library was one of the best things about growing up in Pasadena. The children's room alone is bigger than most city's libraries! I then worked there as a page during my college years, most interesting job ever! I got to explore all the non-public areas: secret rooms upstairs and everything. LOVED that building!

Petrea Burchard said...

Secret rooms? Su_Tune, you make me want to get a library job.