The Central Library as it looked shortly after it officially opened for visitors, circa 1927-1928 (Photo – PPL collection @pdhc2019)
The Pasadena Public Library has been honored with the 2025 California Library Association (CLA) PRExcellence Award in the Event or Campaign category for its “Celebrating 140 Years – Past. Present. Future” initiative. The award was officially announced on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
By News Desk
The PRExcellence Awards recognize California libraries that excel in promoting and communicating their mission to the public. Entries are judged in four categories, Print, Electronic, Event or Campaign, and Wildcard, with up to three awards presented in each, based on library budget levels. Winners, including Pasadena, will be recognized during the annual CLA Conference, where a Best in Show honor will also be presented.
Pasadena Public Library’s award-winning campaign marked its 140th anniversary in 2024 with a city-wide, year-long celebration. Designed to engage all 10 library locations and reach residents throughout Pasadena, the campaign highlighted the library’s history, current services, and future role, especially as the Central Library undergoes its Earthquake Retrofit and Redesign project.
The campaign included 10 special programs, a year-long reading challenge, a community call for personal library stories, a commemorative video narrated by the Library Director, and branded merchandise giveaways. A total of 48 personal stories were submitted by patrons, and 1,500 copies of a special memory book, The People of PPL, were distributed across the city.
“We are honored to be recognized by the California Library Association and grateful to the people of Pasadena who have supported the City’s libraries for 140 years and made them welcoming places for everyone to gather, learn, and celebrate the diversity of voices that make us a great City,” said Library Director Tim McDonald.
The celebratory video, featuring library staff from every location, is available for viewing on YouTube, serving as a lasting tribute to the library’s impact across generations.
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