City of Pasadena Public Library Commission Notice of Special Meeting

CITY OF PASADENA PUBLIC LIBRARY COMMISSION NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING

February 17, 2021 PUBLIC MEETING: 6:00 PM

Note to the Public: Pasadena Public Library is closed to the public until further notice.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting of the Pasadena Public Library Commission will be held by video conference/teleconference on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss matters on the attached agenda. This virtual meeting is held pursuant to Executive Order N-29-20 issued by Governor Gavin Newsom.

I HEREBY CERTIFY that this notice in its entirety was posted on the Internet at www.cityofpasadena.net/councilagendas and on the Council Chamber Bulletin Board, Room S249 and the Bulletin Board in the rotunda area, City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave., and a copy was distributed to Central Library for posting this February 11th, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. and that copies hereof were faxed, emailed or delivered to each member of the City Council and to each local newspaper of general circulation, radio or television station requesting notice in writing, all of which recipients are identified on the distribution list set forth herein below.

Priscilla Lam Recording Secretary

DISTRIBUTION: Library Commission Los Angeles Times City Attorney Pasadena Independent City Clerk Pasadena Journal City Council Pasadena Now City Manager Pasadena Star News KPAS Pasadena Weekly La Opinion Public Information Officer

To request meeting materials in alternative formats or other disability related modifications or accommodations necessary to facilitate meeting participation, please contact the Pasadena Public Library as soon as possible (626) 744-4062 or [email protected].

Language translation services are available for this meeting by calling (626) 744-4043 at least 24 hours in advance. Habrá servicio de interpretación disponible para esta junta llamando al (626) 744-4043 por lo menos con 24 horas de anticipación. CITY OF PASADENA PUBLIC LIBRARY COMMISSION February 17, 2021

SPECIAL MEETING 6:00 PM

MEMBERS Boghos Patatian, Mayor Kenneth Rotter, At Large Chelsea Dickerson, District 1 Adrienne Bass, District 2 Jordan Hutkin, District 3 Robert Karatsu, Chair, District 4 Jonathan Pacheco Bell, District 5 Michael Stammer, Vice Chair, District 7 Vacant, District 6

STAFF Michelle Perera, Library Director Tim McDonald, Deputy Director Priscilla Lam, Executive Assistant

MISSION STATEMENT The City of Pasadena is dedicated to delivering exemplary municipal services, responsive to our entire community and consistent with our history, culture and unique character.

To request meeting materials in alternative formats or other disability-related modifications or accommodations necessary to facilitate meeting participation, please contact the Pasadena Public Library as soon as possible at (626) 744-4062 or [email protected].

Language translation services are available for this meeting by calling (626) 744-4043 at least 24 hours in advance. Habrá servicio de interpretación disponible para éstas juntas llamando al (626) 744-4043 por lo menos con 24 horas de anticipación.

Public meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. Public comment begins at 6:15 p.m. Items on the agenda may not be called in the order listed.

Agendas and supporting documents are available on the Internet at www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/library-commission.

Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the Library Commission after distribution of the agenda packet will be available for public inspection in the Central Library at 285 E. Walnut Street, once normal business hours resume. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

PURSUANT TO EXECUTIVE ORDER N-29-20 ISSUED BY GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM ON MARCH 17, 2020, THE PASADENA PUBLIC LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING FOR FEBRUARY 17, 2021 AT 6:00 P.M. WILL TAKE PLACE SOLELY BY VIDEOCONFERENCE/TELECONFERENCE.

1. Members of the public may submit comments of any length up to two hours prior to the start of the meeting, at the following email address:

[email protected]

Please be aware that, while these comments will be provided to the members of the body and will become part of the meeting record, they will not be read aloud. Any comment submitted in this fashion will be forwarded to the legislative body prior to the start of the meeting.

2. During the meeting, members of the public may submit up to 200 words regarding items on the agenda, at the following webpage:

www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/public-comment

If you wish your comments to be read aloud during the meeting, please indicate so on the form. If you submit more than one form, only the first one received will be read aloud. The City reserves the right to summarize comments if necessary for the orderly and timely flow of the meeting. All comments in their entirety will become part of the meeting record and will be forwarded to the legislative body.

3. If assistance is needed by phone, please call the Pasadena Public Library at (626) 744-4043.

ACCESS TO THE MEETING IS AS FOLLOWS:

Video Conference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84326416249

Phone: 1 (669) 900-6833 - Webinar ID: 843 2641 6249

If you need a reasonable modification or accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act because you are unable to participate electronically as set forth above, please contact the Pasadena Public Library as soon as possible at (626) 744-4062 or [email protected]. PASADENA PUBLIC LIBRARY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA Wednesday, February 17, 2021 - 6:00 p.m.

I. CALL TO ORDER/INTRODUCTIONS

II. DIRECTOR’S REPORT a. Library Update by Michelle Perera b. Early Development Instrument (EDI) Presentation by Carla Hegwood

III. ACTION ITEMS a. Approval of Minutes for January 20, 2021 Library Commission Meeting* b. Approval of Library Commission Work Plan Update

IV. PUBLIC COMMENT LIMITED TO MATTERS ON THIS SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA (6:15 p.m.)

V. COMMISSION BUSINESS a. Friends of the Pasadena Public Library Report b. Library Branch Associates Reports 1. Hastings Associates 2. La Pintoresca Associates 3. San Rafael Associates 4. Linda Vista Associates

VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS

VII. INFORMATION ITEMS a. Publicity* b. Circulation Statistics – January 2021* c. Record of Attendance* d. Commission Liaison at FOPPL Meetings* e. 2021 Library Commission Dates and Locations*

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

*Indicates support materials attached

POSTING STATEMENT: I HEREBY CERTIFY that this agenda in its entirety was posted on the Council Chamber bulletin board S249, and the bulletin board in the rotunda area at City Hall, 100 North Garfield Avenue and the Public Information kiosks at the Central and branch libraries on the 11th of February by 5:30 p.m. The agenda may also be viewed at the City’s website: www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/library-commission. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please call (626) 744-4062 or email [email protected] at least 24 hours in advance. After normal posting, any documents distributed to a majority of the Pasadena Public Library Commission regarding any item on this agenda will be made available at Central Library, Centennial Room at 285 E. Walnut Street once normal business hours resume.

Priscilla Lam, Recording Secretary PASADENA PUBLIC LIBRARY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA Wednesday, February 17, 2021 - 6:00 p.m.

DISTRIBUTIONS: Library Commission City Attorney City Clerk City Council City Manager KPAS La Opinion Los Angeles Times Pasadena Independent Pasadena Journal Pasadena Now Pasadena Star News Pasadena Weekly Public Information Officer PASADENA PUBLIC LIBRARY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES VIA ZOOM Wednesday, January 20, 2021 – 6:00 p.m.

PRESIDING: Robert Karatsu ABSENT:

PRESENT: Adrienne Bass, Jonathan STAFF: Carlos Baffigo, Catherine Hany, Pacheco Bell, Chelsea Dickerson, Robert Carla Hegwood, Priscilla Lam, Tim Karatsu, Boghos Patatian, Kenneth McDonald, Michael Pierce, Michelle Perera, Rotter, and Michael Stammer Amber Steinhart, and Chris Yoo.

I. CALL TO ORDER/INTRODUCTIONS Chair Karatsu called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.

II. DIRECTOR’S REPORT a. Library Update by Director, Michelle Perera b. Introduction of Carla Hegwood, Office of the Young Child Coordinator c. Integrated Library System (ILS) Presentation by Amber Steinhart & Carlos Baffigo

III. PUBLIC COMMENT LIMITED TO MATTERS ON THE SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA a. No public comment received.

IV. ACTION ITEMS a. Approval of Minutes for December 16, 2020 Library Commission meeting. Commissioner Rotter motioned and Commissioner Dickerson seconded to approve the December 16, 2020 meeting Minutes as presented. The motion passed 7/0. ACTION TAKEN.

V. COMMISSION BUSINESS a. Library Commission Work Plan Discussion b. Friends of the Library Report by Tim McDonald c. Library Branch Associates Reports 1. Hastings Associates – No meetings. 2. La Pintoresca Associates 3. San Rafael Associates – No meetings. 4. Linda Vista Associates – No meetings.

VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS

VII. INFORMATION ITEMS a. Library Commission FY20 Work Plan b. Publicity* c. Circulation Statistics* – December 2020 d. Record of Attendance* e. Commission Liaison at FOPPL Meetings* f. Next Library Commission Date – February 17, 2021 g. Library Commission Meeting Dates and Locations* VIII. ADJOURNMENT Chair Karatsu adjourned the meeting to the next Zoom meeting on February 17, 2021. There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Karatsu adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Robert Karatsu, Chair Priscilla Lam, Recording Secretary Pasadena Public Library Commission Pasadena Public Library PASADENA PUBLIC LIBRARY COMMISSION FY20 through 2/2021 WORK PLAN

NOTE: Due to COVID-19, Commission Work Plan deadline was postponed to March 2021. The following includes the original FY20 Commission Work Plan, along with two updates that were made in August 2020 to reflect the current pandemic and social justice issues facing the community. Those goal updates are marked with an *.

The role of the Pasadena Public Library Commission is to advise the City Council on matters relating to the public library system, in order that the library is well managed in a manner consistent with the law and policies, and to advise library administration on the development of library policies. The 2019-2021 Work Plan outlines how the Pasadena Public Library Commission aims to support and advise the Library in the upcoming year. Whereas this work plan spans more than entire fiscal year, the Commission will evaluate the progress of each of these goals on a quarterly basis to ensure progress is being made and the goals are completed.

The following goals and objectives make up the Pasadena Public Library Commission Work Plan for 2019- 2020 through February 2021.

Goal One – Advocacy – advocate and be a champion for Pasadena Public Library services at the local, state, and national levels. a. Support and advocate for library by serving as community ambassadors, attending major library events, interfacing with City Council, advocating for budget needs, and supporting library staff. Represent Library Commission at district meetings, State of the City, and other local and regional meetings. b. Actively support and promote library programs and services, such as Office of the Young Child, One City One Story, special events, and day-to-day programs, as well as promote them to sphere of influence. c. Stay abreast of state and national library legislation and support as necessary. d. Represent Library Commission at local community events.

2020/21 Update: Though the COVID-19 pandemic slowed down a lot of the work the Library Commission does, the Library Commission was very active in their role to support and advocate for the library, from attending events to writing letters to interacting with their respective Council members. Commissioners attended numerous events, including One City One Story, Michael Connelly’s author event, Mental Health special events, monthly programs both in person pre-pandemic and virtually during the pandemic, etc. One Commissioner got actively involved with our LGBTQ programming by not just attending them, but promoting them to the San Gabriel Valley region. In addition, some Commissioners also volunteered to help at some outreach events such as the Office of the Young Child Hub Launch. Commissioners continued to be active with the City Council, including attending City Council meetings, attending City Council District Meetings, and attending the Mayor’s State of the City. Commissioners also attended every Friends meeting, several Associates Group meetings, served on library committees such as One City One Story, and almost all PASADENA PUBLIC LIBRARY COMMISSION FY20 through 2/2021 WORK PLAN

attended the 2019 California Library Association Conference in Pasadena. In addition, when asked by the California Library Association to support legislation, Commissioners wrote letters and made calls to their local elected officials.

Goal Two – Fiscal Responsibility and Stability a. Continue to work with Director of Libraries and Information Services on Library fiscal issues and challenges, including regular updates on library budget. b. Support the library by taking a leadership role in the planning for the renewal of the library parcel tax. c. Meet with respective City Council members, as necessary, to highlight library budget. d. Attend or watch City Council meetings during library budget hearings. e. Assist library administration with the reopening of library facilities, advise staff on library programs and services, and help library staff ensure community needs are met during COVID-19 pandemic.*

2020/21 Update: Fiscal responsibility and stability for the Library continues to be a high priority for the Library Commission. Whereas the Commissioners were unable to watch a specific Library budget hearing due to the pandemic, they continue to be informed and aware of budget issues in the City. Library Commissioners who are also Library Associates at the branches have also been actively looking for outside revenue sources (grants, fundraisers, etc.) In addition, many of the Commissioners have also become members of the Friends of the Library organization, and some, upon completion of their Commission tenure, have become board members of the Friends. Library Commissioners continue to be interested in and supportive of renewing the Library’s parcel tax. They invited a past parcel tax committee chair to speak to the Commission about the history of the tax and the future role they can play with the renewal of it. Lastly, there have been a lot of questions and discussion among Library Commissioners about the reopening of Pasadena Libraries during the pandemic. Discussions have centered around safety practices and practical ideas for reopening.

Goal Three – Commission Business & Meetings a. Support the Office of the Young Child and any future Early Childhood Committee. b. When possible, interact and potentially partner with other City Commissions. c. Review existing statistics, such as collection statistics, trends in library usage, program attendance, etc. d. Work with library staff to fine tune a document/brochure that highlights the Library Parcel Tax, its revenue, and its use.

2020/21 Update: Library Commissioners continue to review and ask questions about library statistics and data as it is presented each month, and have shown a particular interest in the collection analysis and statistics. The Commission has also shown continued interest in the renewal of the parcel tax and invited a presentation PASADENA PUBLIC LIBRARY COMMISSION FY20 through 2/2021 WORK PLAN

by a former parcel tax renewal chair. Most significantly, the last year has welcome several new Commissioners. The onboarding process that was created during a prior work plan was implemented this year, which has included orientation meetings with the Library Commission Chair and key Library personnel. In addition, a binder with all necessary Commission documents, bylaws, Brown Act information, etc. has also been created for each member.

Goal Four – Partnership Development – assist library staff in creating and growing partnerships in the community and region. a. Utilize personal and professional networks to advance the mission and goals of the Pasadena Public Library and enhance library’s cultural presence in community. b. Attend cultural and civic events to expand network. c. Engage community to ensure library is meeting community needs. d. Through partnerships, support City and library initiatives, such as Census 2020 outreach, Women’s 2020 events, Sister City, etc. e. Support library profession through meetings and attending conferences.

2020/21 Update: Commissioners were very engaged with advancing the mission of the library by not just attending library events, but promoting them to their respective spheres of influence. Commissioners attended an array of civic and cultural Library programs but also programs conducted by other departments and organizations, including Women’s 2020 in person and virtual events, Census 2020 events, and City Council district meetings and programs, etc. Most Library Commissioners attended the 2019 California Library Conference in Pasadena. In addition, two of the Commissioners have served and are currently serving on the planning teams for the 2021 Virtual California Library Association Conference. All of these continue to give Commissioners a deeper understanding of the challenges and issues libraries face.

Goal Five – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)* a. Support the Pasadena Public Library efforts in equity, diversity, and inclusion. b. Assist library staff in reviewing current programs and services with EDI lens. c. Highlight library’s diverse offerings during outreach and advocacy efforts.

2020/21 Update: Whereas this goal is something that the Commission has discussed as an important element moving forward, they have not yet had a chance to work on this. This goal was added as an important piece to include as part of their work moving forward.

THE PASADENA NOW

WEEKENDRWHERE EVERY DAY IS THE WEEKEND

MONDAY,JANUARY 25, 2021

FOR THE LATEST PASADENA NEWS, SEE PASADENANOW.COM

HOME (HTTPS://WWW.PASADENANOW.COM/WEEKENDR/) / ENTERTAINMENT (HTTPS://WWW.PASADENANOW.COM/WEEKENDR/CATEGORY /ENTERTAINMENT/) / MUSEUMS & LIBRARIES (HTTPS://WWW.PASADENANOW.COM/WEEKENDR/CATEGORY /ENTERTAINMENT /MUSEUMS·LIBRARIES/) / Get Those Teens Busy in the Kitchen with this Virtual Cooking Class GET THOSE TEENS BUSY IN THE KITCHEN WITH THIS VIRTUAL COOKING CLASS

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Are the teenagers in your house doing anything other than taking up all the space and blasting their music too loud? Maybe it's time they find a new hobby. The Pasadena Public Library invites all teens to join them on Tuesday, January 26, for a virtual cooking class that will show them the basics of cooking.

The class is one hour, from 4 to 5 p.m.

Some of the supplies for the class are available at the Library if needed, but most should be available at home.

You'll need some salt, pepper, and cooking oil. Any cooking oil is fine such as olive, canola, vegetable, or avocado.

Of course you'll need to use your stove, a wide pan, a spatula or cooking spoon, a pot with water for cooking pasta, a strainer, two to three small bowls or a tray to hold chopped ingredients, a cutting board, knife, paper towels, and a cup with water.

For ingredients, which are included in the pickup kit, you'll need a half a box of pasta, half a bag of yellow potatoes, half a jar of artichoke hearts, half a can of diced or quartered tomatoes, half a jar of pesto sauce (creamy variety would be best, but any kind of pesto sauce is fine), half of a small yellow onion, and Ritz crackers.

Please call the Library if you want the pickup kit, or you can prepare your own.

To register for the class, visit www.cifyofP-asadena.net/library/calendar/ .(httP-:llwww.cifyofP-asadena.net/library/calendar/l and click the January 26, 4 p.m. tab. Fill out the form and submit online.

For more information, call (626) 744-4066.

"Things like picking a place where there is no outside noise. Pick a place where there isn't light blinding you from an exterior window. Just things that I've observed and experienced myself. So that has certainly changed. On the other hand, people tend to be putting in more time when they're working fromhome virtually because there's no chit chat by the water cooler and taking breaks, not to mention just the commute."

There are pluses and minuses to all the changes, she said, "But it has changed. And, there's a small percentage of the population that embraces change. I happened to be one of them, but the vast majority of people don't. They're much more comfortable in their so-called comfortzo ne, kind of doing things the way they've always done them. And that's upwards of 80 something percent. It's veryc hallenging forpeople."

Despite the many challenges and downsides the pandemic presents to the typical worker and workplace, it has had some silver linings, Peterson-More said.

For one, "I think that I've reconnected with people whoI've known and thought about, but hadn't talked to in a long time, virtually, of course," she said. Plus, "I really have strengthened the little pod of my family, and I'm fortunate because I have three children, two of whomlive in the area and the third one happens to live in Italy, so that makes it a little bit more difficult, although we do Zoom. I really hope that we're all respecting first responders and have a new regard forteachers. So to me, there's been silver linings as well, kind of time to stop and think and contemplate and really reassess what's important."

The question is, how does utilizing clear communication ability translate into leadership skills?

"I think that leadership starts at the top and it cascades down. And, unfortunately, whether it's politically or in organization leaders, they don't always communicate as clearly as they think they are and very infrequentlythey are challenged," she said.

The book, she said, includesobservations, rules and frameworks that she's developed over the years. One is listening, asking and telling. "We do not listen enough," she said. "I think when leaders listen and they ask questions, they learn something, they create a sense of team, and involvement. It's very motivational."

Dozens of Events and Activities Featured During Pasadena's Black HistoryMonth Celebration Published on Thursday, January 28, 2021 I 5:53 am

The city of Pasadena is celebrating Black HistoryM onth by recognizing the achievements and contributions of Black Americans and their central role in our nation's history with virtual programs, events, and activities forall ages.

Pasadena Public Library; the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department; and the Pasadena Black History Committee are offering a month-long series of programs in February.

Library programming is sponsored by The Friends of the Pasadena Public Library. The Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department and Pasadena Black History Committee are holding events in lieu of Pasadena's 39th Annual Black History Month Parade and Festival. Pasadena Public Library; the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department; and the Pasadena Black HistoryCommittee are offeringa month-long series of programs in February.

COMMUNITYEVENTS

FOR ALL AGES

• Reading Activity- Black History Month Reading Challenge Pasadena Public Libraryhighlights Black history and Black creators this month with a special Black

HistoryMonth challenge. This just-for-fun,month-long reading challenge starts Feb. 1. Participate by logging your reading, posting reviews, and attending some of our virtual programs! Sign up now. • Community Activity- Support Black-Owned Businesses I Monday, Feb. 1-28 • ThroughoutPasadena Everyoneis encouraged to support local Black-owned businesses. View a list of businesses. • Family Activity- Africanand AfricanAmerican Tales with Storyteller Michael D. McCarty I Thursday, Feb. 11, 4 p.m. • Zoom StorytellerMichael D. McCarty entertains and educates with tales fromAfrica and of African Americans that depict the challenges and triumphs of Black people throughout history. Perfect for families! Sign up now. • History Activity - Pasadena People, Places and Events Shaped by AfricanAmericans I Monday, Feb. 15-Friday, Feb. 19 Take a virtual tour with local community members as they provide informationon landmarks, educational institutions, sports, business and other areas impacted by Black Pasadenans. Visit www.cityofpasadena.net/parks-and-recfor more informationand to sign up.

• Music Activity- JungleDrum Circle withChazz Ross I Monday, Feb. 22, 2 p.m. •Zoom Celebrate Black HistoryMonth with Chazz Ross's Jungle Drum-Circle performance. Enjoyan amazing percussion show with AfricanDjembe drums and learn about their history. Drawing on 40 years of experience in Africanmusic and dance, Chazz delivers an exciting performance forall ages. Sign up now. • Music Activity- CelebrityDJ Dance Party I Saturday, Feb. 27, 5-10 p.m. • Facebook & Instagram Playing sounds fromthe 1960s through the 2000s virtually. Livestream available on Facebook and Instagram. Visit www.cityofpasadena.net/parks-and-recfor more information andto sign up. FORADULTS • AdultActivity - Storytimefor Grownups I Mondays, 4 p.m. • Instagram Live Find a comfychair and settle in on Instagram Live @pasadenalibrary as we read aloud fromclassic works by AfricanAmerican authors. Get lit(erature)! • Book Discussion - Hastings Branch Book Chit Chat: "TheVanishing Half'' I Tuesday,

Feb. 2, 6:30 p.m. • Zoom Join us as we discuss "The Vanishing Half' by author Brit Bennet. Sign up now. • Booktalk - AfricanAmerican Mystery and Crime Writers I Wednesday, Feb. 3, 4 p.m. • Zoom AfricanAmerican authors Rachel Howzell Hall ("And Now She's Gone"), Pamela Samuels Young ("Murder on the Down Low"), and Gary Phillips ("Warlord of Willow Ridge") will share their writing journeys. Sign up now. • Book Discussion - AllendaleBook Discussion: "InvisibleMan" I Thursday, Feb. 4, 10:30 a.m. • Zoom We will be meeting online to discuss "Invisible Man" by author Ralph Ellison. Sign up now. • Book Discussion - VirtualHill Avenue Book Club: "Lakewood" I Saturday, Feb. 6, 10:30 a.m. •Zoom Join us online as we discuss "Lakewood" by Megan Giddings. Copies are available through hoopla using your Pasadena Public Librarycard. Sign up now. • Adult Activity - AfricanAmerican Poetry I Tuesday, Feb. 9, 11 a.m. • Zoom The Pasadena Rose Poets will present the poetryof AfricanAmerican poets past and present, along with some of their own poetry. Presented by Teresa Mei Chuc, Kate Gale, Hazel Clayton Harrison, Gerda Govine Ituarte, Shahe Mankerian, Toni Mosley, Carla Sameth and Annette Wong. Sign up now. • Lecture - Fatphobia as Anti-Blackness: TheOrigins of WeightStigma I Wednesday, Feb. 10, 5 p.m. • Zoom The medical establishment tells us that we are in an "obesity epidemic" and that Black people-and Black women especially-should lose weight. But, is this rooted in health concerns? In this presentation, Sabrina Strings, associate professorof sociology at Universityof California,Irvine, will show that the aversion to fatnessis not rooted in medical concerns; rather, it dates back to slavery. Moreover, even the medical fieldis implicated in its racist and sexist origins. Sign up now. • Booktalk- "TheMoor's Account" by author Laila Lalami I Thursday, Feb. 11, 5 p.m. • Zoom Author Laila Lalami will discuss her novel "The Moor's Account," a fictionalmemoir of Estebanico, widely considered to be the firstBlack explorer of America, the Moroccan slave whosurvived the Narvaez expedition and accompanied Cabeza de Vaca. His tale illuminates the ways in which our narratives can transmigrate into history, and how storytelling can offera chance at redemption and survival. Lalami was born in Rabat and educated in Morocco, Great Britain and the United States. She is the author of fournovels, including "The Moor's Account," which won the American Book Award,

the Arab-American Book Award, the Hurston/Wright Legacy Awardand was a finalistfor the 2015 Pulitzer Prize in fiction. Her most recent novel, "The Other Americans," was a national bestseller and a finalistfor the Kirkus Prize and the National Book Awardin fiction. She is a fullprofessor of creative writing at the University of California, Riversideand lives in Los Angeles. Her new book, a work of

nonfictioncalled "Conditional Citizens," was published by Pantheon in September 2020. Sign up now. • Lecture - 200 Years of Black Pioneers in Pasadena and Los Angeles I Wednesday, Feb. 17, 4 p.m. • Zoom Many people don't realize how deep the roots are that the AfricanAmerican community has in Southern California. This talk explores the stories, some little known,of half a dozen pioneering, local individuals and communities. Among them:

• The Pobladores, the original 1781 settlers of the Pueblo of Los Angeles, over half of whom had some Africanblood • Pio Pico, the last Mexican governor of California,of Africanand Mestizo ancestry • Biddy Mason, a midwife,who went fromnewly freedslave to one of the largest commercial landowners in Los Angeles within 20 years • The original AfricanAmerican settlers of Pasadena, whoquickly formeda vibrant, tightly-knit community here by the early 1900s • Paul R. Williams, the firstlicensed African American architect west of the Mississippi • Jackie Robinson, who starred in foursports at John Muir High School, PCC, and UCLA, and went on to become the firstAfrican American player in major league baseball Presented by Dave Nufer,a program developer, researcher, and docent forPasadena Heritage and The LA Conservancy. He has previously given talks at the libraryon "Hispanic Influenceson California Architecture,"and "The Asian Roots of Pasadena's Arts and CraftsArchitecture." Sign up now. • Booktalk- "Heaven, My Home" by AtticaLocke I Thursday, Feb. 18, 5 p.m. • Zoom Author Attica Locke will discuss her latest novel "Heaven, My Home" (September 2019), the sequel to Edgar Award-winning "Bluebird, Bluebird," and share her writingjourney as an African American writer. "Heaven, My Home" is a Pasadena Public Library2021 One City, One Story nominee. Her third novel, "Pleasantville," was the winner of the Harper Lee Prize forlegal fictionand was also long listed forthe Bailey's Prize forwomen's fiction."The Cutting Season" was the winner of the Ernest Gaines Award forliterary excellence. Her firstnovel, "Black Water Rising," was nominated foran Edgar Award, an NAACPImage Award,as well as a Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and was short listed forthe Women's Prize for Fiction. A formerfellow at the Sundance Institute's Feature Filmmaker's Lab, Locke works as a screenwriter as well. Most recently, she was a writer and producer on Netflix's When They See Us and the upcoming Hulu adaptation of Little Fires Everywhere. A native of Houston, Texas, Attica lives in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter. Sign up now.

• Booktalk-An American Journey -A Legacyof Freedom and Slavery I Friday, Feb. 26, 5p.m. • Zoom Monticello, once the home of Thomas Jeffersonand 400 enslaved men, women and children, is a testament to America's legacy of freedomand slavery.Join us as Gayle Jessup White,a descendant of Jeffersonand two of the familieshe enslaved, discusses her decades-long journey tracing her family's oral tradition connecting her to Jefferson.A book about her life-longjourney will be published by HarperCollins in the fallof 2021. White is also Monticello's first public relations and community engagement officer.Sponsored by the Hastings Branch Library Associates. Sign up now. • Book.talk- "Partnersto History: MartinLuther King, Jr., RalphDavid Abernathy, and theCivil RightsMovement" by DonzaleighAbernathy I Saturday, Feb. 27, 2-4 p.m. • Zoom Donzaleigh Abernathy, an American actress, author and civil rights activist, will discuss her book, "Partners to History: Martin Luther King,Jr., Ralph David Abernathy, and the Civil Rights Movement." The book is a tribute and testament to the courage, strength and endurance of Martin Luther King, Ralph David Abernathy, Sr. and those involved in the civil rights movement-men who stirred a nation with their moral fortitude.Abernathy is the daughter of the Rev. Dr. Ralph Abernathy, Sr. and Juanita Jones Abernathy, who was quite famousfor being actively involved in the creation and strategies of the civil rights movement and in present-day civil and human rights efforts

until her death on Sept. 12, 2019. Sign up now. FOR TEENS • Teen Activity- Sketches & More I Wednesday, Feb. 17, 4 p.m. • Zoom For teens, join us fora virtual guided art session inspired by Black HistoryMonth with stafffrom the ArmoryCenter forthe Arts. Supplies available if needed. Sign up now. • Teen Activity- Paint With Us I Wednesday, Feb. 24, 4 p.m. • Zoom Join us fora painting tutorial inspired by Black History Month. Supplies available forpickup if

needed. View the livestream at www.youtube.com/user/pasadenalibrary. For teens ages 12-18. Sign up now.

FORTWEENS

• TweenActivity - Windows and Mirrors Book Club I Wednesday, Feb. 10, 7 p.m. • Zoom 5th - 7th graders meet online to discuss a contemporary realistic middle grade book about kids with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Maybe you'll see yourself in one of these kids, or maybe you'll get a window into the lives of others! This month's book is "A Good Kind of Trouble" by Lisa Moore Ramee. We'll talk about the book's themes of civil rights, social justice and activism. Sign up now.

FOR CHILDREN

• FamilyActivity - Telling Taleswith Nick Smith Join librarystaffer and storyteller Nick Smith as he shares a mix of folktalesand historical pieces about AfricanAmericans. Find these stories, and more on the library'sYou Tube Channel. This collection of stories is perfect fors chool age kids and their families,and is available 24/7 on demand. Presented in partnership with Pasadena Media. • Children's Activity- Celebrate Black HistoryMonth withSocial Media Storytime Enjoy books by AfricanAmerican creators.

• Preschool Storytime I Monday, Feb. 1, 10:30 a.m. • Facebook Join us on Facebook at facebook.com/pasadenalibrary. For ages 3-5 and their caregivers.

• ToddlerStorytime I Tuesday, Feb. 2, 10:30 a.m. • Instagram Live Join us on Instagram Live @pasadenalibrary. For ages 18-36 months and their caregivers. • Preschool Storytime I Thursday, Feb. 4, 3 p.m. • Instagram Live Join us on Instagram Live at @pasadenalibrary. For ages 3-5 and their caregivers.

• Signs 'n Storytime I Friday, Feb. 5, 4 p.m. • Instagram Live A fun storytime featuringa fewAmerican Sign Language (ASL) signs to learn. Join us on Instagram Live @pasadenalibrary.

• Children's Activity- STEAMStory Time I Thursday, Feb. 11, 11 a.m. • Facebook Miss Monica reads the NCTE Charlotte Huck Award winner, "I AmEvery Good Thing," by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James. Join us on Facebook at facebook.com/pasadenalapintoresca. • Children's Activity- Preschool Storytime: Celebrating Black Families I Wednesday, Feb. 17, 10:30 a.m. • Zoom Join us as we share family-friendlystories and songs. For ages 3-5. Sign up now. • Children's Activity- Chocolate Storytime I Friday, Feb. 26, 4 p.m. • Facebook An afternoonof storytellingand village building, featuringstories authored by and/or about African Americans.Join us on Facebook at facebook.com/pasadenalapintorescaas Dr. Ayesha Randall reads a book celebrating the culture of Black Americans.For ages 3+. CRAFTS • MakeYour Own Paper Freedom Quilt Squares I Monday, Feb. 1, 9 a.m. • Whilesupplies last Learn a bit about freedomquilts and then create your own paper quilt square to be a part of the Lamanda Community Freedom Quilt displayed in the library's windows. Quilt squares must be picked

up and returned to Lamanda Park Branch Library.Sign up to reserve your kit starting Feb. 1.

Availablewhile supplies last. For ages 5-12. • Linda Vista Decorative Arts:Take and Make Fabric Quilt Block I Monday, Feb. 8, 9 a.m. • While supplies last Make a small fabricquilt block to celebrate one of the oldest formsof AfricanAmerican visual experience. Materials and instructions are included to complete your block. Scissors needed. Call (626) 744-7278 to reserve your fabricblock quilt kit starting Feb. 8 at 9 a.m. Availablewhile supplies last. For ages 18+. • Hastings Peace Wreath Craft I Monday, Feb. 8, 9:30 a.m. • While supplies last Celebrate Black HistoryMonth by creating a paper peace wreath made of hands. Sign up to reserve your craftkit starting Feb. 8 at 9:30 a.m. Availablewhile supplies last (additional supplies needed: scissors, glue and/or stapler). For ages 5+. • Collectibles - Notable Black Artists Buttonsand Bookmarks I Monday, Feb. 8-Friday, Feb. 26, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. • Whilesupplies last Celebrate the contributions that Black Americanshave made in the arts by collecting our commemorative buttons and bookmarks. Collect all six. Pick up to two buttons or bookmarks a week at La Pintoresca Branch Librarywhile supplies last. • Workshop- Craftingwith Tiff & Tosh I Mondays, Feb. 8 & 22, 3 p.m. • Instagram Live Join us and learn how to make special craftsin honor of Black HistoryMonth. Join us on Instagram Live @pasadenalibrary. • Craft- Black HistoryMonth Take & Make: Basquiat Crown I Monday, Feb. 22- Thursday, Feb. 25, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. • Whilesupplies last Learn about famousAfrican American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat then create your very own

wearable Basquiat crown. Fill out this survey formstarting Feb. 22 at 9:30 a.m. to reserve your kit. Limit one kit per participant. You'll receive an e-mail when your craftkit is ready forpickup. All materials included. Available while supplies last. FILMS • Is ThisHeaven? (2015) Documentary John Preston "Pete" Hill was an American outfielderand manager in baseball's Negro leagues from 1899 to 1925. He played forthe Philadelphia Giants, Leland Giants, Chicago American Giants, Detroit Stars, Milwaukee Bears and Baltimore Black Sox. View anytime you wish at home, available through hoopla. • Drive-in Movie:Selma (2014) PG-13 I Saturday, Feb. 20, 6 p.m. • Rose Bowl A chronicle of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965. Free (pre-registration required). View details and sign up.

For more informationabout Black History Month events, visit www.pasadenapubliclibrary.netor www.cicyofpasadena.net/parks-and-rec. Pasadena Rose Poets to Celebrate

AfricanBY JOEY REAMSAND BRIANAmerican DAY Works Published on Monday, February 8, 2021 110:02 am

The Pasadena Rose Poets have invited the community to join them online Tuesday as they present and celebrate the works of AfricanAm erican poets as part of the city's ongoing observation of Black HistoryMonth.

Tuesday's forum will be held at 11 a.m. via Zoom and is presented by the Friends of the Pasadena Public Library, organizers said. It will include readings of poetry from the past and present, as well as works by the presenters, including Rose Poets founder Gerda Govine Ituarte.

With the Super Bowl on Sunday including a reading by the nation's first National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, the art of the written word has enjoyed renewed interest recently, creating a particularly exciting environment for poets, Govine Ituarte noted. "This is really honoring poetry, and it's even more critical now because of Amanda Gorman, who read at the inaugural, because she has created and opened up a space that's bigger in terms of poetryan d people are getting more interested," she said. "So it's a wonderfultime to just read as much as possible and connect with differentgroups."

The Pasadena Rose Poets were also looking forwardto sharing some of their work, having published their firstvolume of work last year, according to Govine Iturate,

The group was foundedby Govine Ituarte in 2016 in partnership with the city of Pasadena, which had received a grant fromthe National Endowment forthe Arts,b ut did not have a poetryp rogram at the time.

"The library has been one of the biggest supporters in terms of includingus," she said. "We have a good relationship with the library system."

Since the pandemic won't allow in-person poetryreadings, as was done in years past, "We decided that we would just jump onto the Zoom wagon, if you will. And this will be the second one we've done."

For writers and readers, alike, poetrycan be therapeutic, according to Govine Ituarte.

For us, writing is a way that we deal with all that's been going on. And I find that I'm writing more now than ever before because these words get hold of me and they won't let me go," she said.

So we're all writing, we're all reading - sometimes with each other, sometimes with other folks - but our goal“ is to keep poetry alive. It can make a positive difference and allows people to sort of decompress," Govine Ituarte said.

So our goal is to read every chance we get, whether it's on Zoom or whether it's on YouTube or whatever it“ is, to just keep the words coming because we've never had a situation like this before with the pandemic. So people need to find ways to just exhale and poetry can help them do that," she said.

Those interested in taking part were asked to pre-register online via the Pasadena Public Library's event calendar webpage at cityofpasadena.net/library/calendar.

PASADENA PUBLIC LIBRARY CIRCULATION STATISTICS January 2021

MONTHLY FISCAL FISCAL Y-T-D % Y-T-D Y-T-D % Jan-20 Jan-21 CHANGE TOTAL TOTAL CHANGE 2019-2020 2020-2021 BRANCH: ALLENDALE # 2,136 3,928 83.90% 13,240 12,549 -5.22% HASTINGS 9,750 8,718 -10.58% 67,087 34,432 -48.68% HILL AVENUE 2,102 370 -82.40% 14,114 1,339 -90.51% LAMANDA PARK 3,071 2,721 -11.40% 23,601 10,528 -55.39% LA PINTORESCA 3,055 1,664 -45.53% 20,779 7,000 -66.31% LINDA VISTA 1,483 1,204 -18.81% 12,978 5,188 -60.02% SAN RAFAEL 2,526 2,413 -4.47% 16,695 10,083 -39.60% SANTA CATALINA 4,244 1,844 -56.55% 25,328 7,226 -71.47% VILLA PARKE 497 24 -95.17% 4,747 102 -97.85%

TOTAL BRANCH 28,864 22,886 -20.71% 198,569 88,447 -55.46% ------TOTAL CENTRAL 25,391 18,207 -28.29% 178,954 72,058 -59.73% ------TOTAL WEB AND TELEPHONE RENEWAL * 41,194 0 -100.00% 312,174 67,386 -78.41% ------TOTAL EBOOKS & EMEDIA + 10,468 10,021 -4.27% 68,430 74,157 8.37% ------GRAND TOTAL SYSTEM ○ 105,917 51,114 -51.74% 758,127 302,048 -60.16% ======

NOTES: * Since the Auto-Renewal feature is activated in Symphony, these current month's renewals have been attributed to the CKO location + Overdrive, 3M Cloud, Flipster, HoopLa # Allendale closed from June 3 - July 6, 2019 ○ System counts are lower due to library closure in precauon of COVID-19 beginning March 17, 2020

CENTRAL LIBRARY YEARLY COMPARISON Jan-21