The Library's new Web site has launched!

In its latest efforts to improve communications and access to information, Altadena's Library staff has launched a new Web site. http://www.altadenalibrary.org

Creating a Web site that is easy to read, easy to navigate, and "user-friendly" is a significant undertaking. Congratulations are definitely in order!

Money Matters, Part II

In the California Library Association report sent on August 24, 2007 by Mike Dillon and Christine Dillon, CLA lobbyists, they note that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the 2007-2008 State Budget saying proudly, "This Budget has a zero deficit. That is an extraordinary accomplishment."

Well, that "extraordinary accomplishment" cut $8 million dollars from funding for the Public Library Foundation and another $7 million from the Transaction Based Reimbursement Program, which also funds libraries. This means that our Altadena Library will be receiving at least $20,000 less from the State than it received last year.

At a time when the Library needs generous support for maintenance of the physical plant and Library services, especially its services for children and youth, this is a heavy blow.

State of the Library Report

Monica and I were at the last meeting of the Altadena Town Council when Mark Mariscal and Barbara Pearson presented the 2006-2007 Annual Report on the Altadena Library. They had much to be proud of.

The appointments of Roberta Lauderdale, Cassandra Stearns, and Robert Housley bring strong professionals into critical leadership positions. A study was completed that showed what must be done to bring our Library into compliance with requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act and a five-year remediation plan was adopted and begun. Generous contributions from the Friends of the Altadena Library facilitated a number of modest enhancements of the spaces and enabled the addition of two Americorps volunteers. Four more computer stations were added to the Adult Computer Center. Another means of serving the public was introduced by having our Library designated a Passport Application Acceptance Facility. While I am typing this on Saturday morning, the rain is pouring down reminding me that steps are being taken to repair the Library's leaking roof.

These are just some highlights. You can get a copy of the report at the Library. Come in and pick one up. You'll be impressed. I know that Monica and I were.

We have a Library with welcoming facilities, extensive resources, and an outstanding staff. Together they serve our community well. Also, there is a world of information out there and Altadena Library can help you access it. I urge you to get better acquainted with our Library. Give its people an opportunity to serve you!

Community-building, Part I

They are popping up all over town -- blogs, Yahoo and Google groups, e-mail distribution lists -- all with the common goal of helping us talk to each other and share information and Altadena news.

The Community Advisory Council is presently working to identify all of these wonderful e-resources and their leaders.

Below are a few of the ones I know about. If you know of others, use the "comment" link or the e-mail link to add to the list. Together we can help this list grow!


Altadena Above it All
http://altadenaaboveitall.wordpress.com

Altadenablog
http://www.altadenablog.com

Altadena Community
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/altadena_community/

Altadena Crest Trail Working Group
http://www.fourpalms.org/act

Altadena Moms Club
http://altadenamomsclub.googlepages.com/

Altadena Mountain Rescue Team
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lasdamrt/

Altadena Radio Club
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AltadenaRadioClub/

Altadena Women’s Network
[ E-mail list owner monica.hubbard ( at ) charter.net ]

Beautiful Altadena
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Beautiful_Altadena/

Chaney Trail
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chaneytrail/

Fair Oaks Village
http://www.thefairoaksvillage.com/contact.html

Highview Neighbors
[ E-mail list owner adambell3 ( at ) sbcglobal.net ]

Holly Slope Road
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hollysloperoad/

Jane's Village
http://www.janesvillage.org

La Corona-Palm "Upside-down T" Neighborhood Association
[ Coming soon. Elliot Gold ]

Meadows
http://welcometothemeadows.blogspot.com

Pepper Drive Neighbors
[ E-mail list owner monica.hubbard ( at ) charter.net ]

President Streets
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/presidentstreets/

Save the Altadena Trails (STAT)
[ E-mail savetrails ( at ) sbcglobal.net ]

Stonehill News
http://blog.stonehillnews.com

Money Matters, Part I

This morning I was invited to speak to a group of local women who are active in the community. It surprised me that a number of them did not know the Altadena Library District is independent. It is not part of the County of Los Angeles Public Library system or the Pasadena Public Library system. Altadenans voted in 1955 to take local control and to be responsible for the Library’s maintenance.

Our Library buildings, operations, programs and services are funded primarily by a parcel tax that the County collects on our behalf. The last parcel tax increase passed in 2004 with 77% voter approval. Altadenans clearly support their Library.

Other funding comes from grants, from donations of the Friends of the Altadena Library and from various individuals and organizations.

Right now, our Library has some pressing needs. The roof needs repairs to stop the leaks. The Library buildings and property must also be brought into compliance with accessibility requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

These needs require additional funding.

To seek additional funding from corporate, foundation and government sources, there must be a current strategic plan in place. The Library’s last 5-year plan was completed in 1998. We need a new one that maps out where additional revenue might come from and how to obtain it.

One of my first actions as a member of the Altadena Library Board would be to urge the development of a new strategic plan. This strategic planning process should be community-wide and engage residents young and old, as well as the staff, and the Board.

We Altadenans are proud that we have our own Library. It’s up to all of us to keep it healthy so it can meet the growing needs of our community today and into the future.

Why is Tom Hubbard running?

Why am I running for a seat on the Library Board?

Good question. It's a fine library. It's doing a great job. The community supports it. It has a very competent and helpful staff. What difference would my presence on the Board make?

Recently my wife Monica and I were watching Bill Moyers on KCET as he interviewed Grace Lee Boggs. Boggs is 92 years old. She and her husband have been involved in every social movement in this country over the last 70 years. The Labor Union Movement, the Civil Rights Movement, The Women's Movement - all of them.

After interviewing her Moyers said, “So it is that this woman who marched and agitated and argued in mass movements and social protests for over 70 years...has come full circle...to find seeds of hope in small places where people work quietly and patiently on every imaginable front.”

That got to me. I asked myself, "What do I have to help my community of Altadena? How do I use it to make a difference?"

Well, I have a vision of this Library as a vital educational center of our entire community's life. I have experience and understanding of how libraries must serve in this computer age. And I have a commitment to do the work that will ensure the Library’s health for our children and grandchildren.

That's why I ask for your vote on November 6.

Saturday musings

I love books. Like many of you, I suspect, there are piles of books on my nightstand and beside my favorite chair. Some I’m reading for the first time. Others are old favorites that I’m returning to. One of my earliest memories is sitting on my mother's lap with her arms around me while she read to me. The circle in which I was enfolded was completed by the book she was holding. I have loved books ever since.

And, since libraries are where we find books, I love them, too.

We know that today libraries are much more than book repositories. They have become information hubs for the entire community. Computers and the Internet have provided us with additional resources for learning that are enriching our lives in ways we never dreamed of. Libraries have become important gathering places for people and civic organizations doing the good work that is so vital to the health and well-being of our cities and towns.

If I am elected to the Board, I will work to expand our Library’s wonderful services – services that connect us to information, to ideas, and to each other.

What is your vision for our Altadena Library? I’d love to hear from you. Just click on "Send an e-mail to Tom" on the right to send me your thoughts. I’ll look forward to hearing from you.

Introducing Tom

As a resident for 24 years, and a former Town Council member, I know how important our Library is to Altadena. My goals are to strengthen the Library’s outstanding service, broaden its operations and keep it fiscally sound.

I bring two decades of county-level administrative experience and eleven years of service as a school librarian. I believe I have the background to help protect local taxpayers by improving strategic planning.

For example, library buildings are required to be accessible to all citizens. Meeting that obligation is a major undertaking. Careful planning and budgeting will be required to avoid costly lawsuits and federal intervention.

We are justifiably proud of our Library, but there is always room for improvement. I’ll propose a review of how the community utilizes our facilities and seek guidance from library patrons on how best to expand technological resources.

I will also work to expand the outstanding literacy programs at the Bob Lucas Branch.

Our Library delivers services and economic value far beyond merely circulating books. I’ll work hard to spread that message throughout the community.

I’d be honored to have your vote. In return, I promise consistent and persistent advocacy for Altadena’s jewel: our outstanding Library.