Playing video games at Altadena Library District (Photo – Staff).
It’s not all about books anymore!
By the Editorial Board
It used to be that a library’s sole purpose was to lend and return books and other materials, or help patrons with questions about a certain collection. That was then, before phones started playing music and movies, texting became a means of communication, and virtual companies provided answers, shared news (fake or otherwise), kept family members connected and long lost friends reconnected. Now libraries are providing much more. They’re pivoting from being transactional in nature to more relational. They’re becoming the place to be for millennials and hipsters (among many other generational labels).
Luckily, libraries have caught the shift early, and played it – some almost to perfection- to the hilt in attracting “new blood” to their halls, keeping them a vital destination.
The Water Conservation Demonstration Garden at the Altadena Library (Photo – George Patton).
One of those libraries is Altadena Library District. We’ve been following the positive progression of this library for quite some time, and we can safely declare: this library gets it right! During Mindy Kittay’s time as Director, the library has transformed its adjacent grounds into a sustainable water-wise garden with California Native Plants adorning its grounds (designed by the late January Nordman and aided by permaculturist and master gardener, George Patton). A seed library was established, the first of its kind in Altadena. Second Saturdays were introduced and have become a crowd pleasing destination to many in Altadena and beyond. A video game station for kids makes it a popular destination for tweens and young adults. A facelift transformed a tired-looking 70’s interior into a slick, colorful and inviting space. An Innovation Virtual Reality, 3D Printing, video and Sound Production coding center added to the excitement, plus Art Shows, a monthly open mike and many more events, all free to the public.
The library also hosts community conversations where residents convey their hopes, ideas, aspirations and goals, cementing the library’s position as a town center for Altadena.
Kudos to visionary librarians for taking our libraries to the next level, keeping them vital and valid through residents’ involvement and design thinking. Their vision is helping lead the way for libraries to become the Fifth Branch of Power.
We want the Altadena Library District to keep forging ahead with innovative programs and events that keep youth and adults engaged and entertained, and the library as the hub of the town.
That’s what every library should be doing in this age of increasing isolation and social media.
I agree Heather. There is clearly a bias here. No mention of all the current and past litigation filed against the library because of the Director. No mention of the professional long-term and newer staff who resigned en masse because of the toxic work environment created by the Director, and the endless harassment and insults dealt by her to the staff. No mention of the complaints expressed numerous times to the Board by staff and Friends of the Library members, as well as by community members. Not to mention the destruction of the collection.You can’t fool all of the people all of the time. At least the Board members finally caught on to what the staff had been complaining about. Alas, too late.
Your timing is suspect, considering what is going on at the Altadena Library currently. You are obviously using this platform to drum up support for Mindy as you haven’t mentioned the current litigation and several EEO complaints filed against Library Administrators. Specifically because of Mindy’s lack of leadership and tendency to harass members of staff that disagree with her ideas. Especially people of color. No interviews of the many great librarians that have fled Altadena specifically because of Mindy.