Since the end of the pandemic, the La Cañada Flintridge library has been moving toward a new normal.
At first glance, you might not spot the differences between the library now and what it was before the COVID-19 pandemic, but the library is starting to thrive in new ways.
Residents might first see the 12 newly installed electric vehicle chargers in the parking lot, which were installed by Southern California Edison. The number of chargers is double the ones surrounding LCF. The library even has a designated charging spot for people with disabilities.
It was just this month when they were finally ready for the public to use.
The Internal Services of the Department of the County of Los Angeles maintains the chargers. ISD partnered with libraries to install charging stations, and the LCF library was chosen.
“Anybody can use them,” said library Manager Mark Totten. “I think people are still discovering the charging stations.”
Totten, who has been with the library for 14 years, mentioned that the stations are compatible with all electric cars except for Teslas, who need an adapter in order to use the chargers.
Outside the library also sits a couple of port-a-potties for the public to use since the bathrooms are going through renovation.
Updates to the inside of the facility include new furniture, which was received in 2020, and the entire building was renovated in 2019.
Although the furniture might not be super modern to the eye, Totten said it was picked to “maintain a retro look.”
Totten mentioned how the library is just, “one big room” and likes that he can see everything that is going on.
The hours of the library has also been reduced from six days a week to five days, Tuesday through Saturday. The library also saw a reduction in their staff.
“In March 2020, we had 16 staff; we now have 9,” said Totten.
The library closed during the pandemic lockdown and reopened in May 2021.
“During the pandemic, library staff was minimized, and the remaining staff did sidewalk service. Customers ordered books or DVDs and picked them up at a table by the front entry,” said Totten.
After 14 months of closure, the children’s programs are starting to thrive.
Children’s Services Librarian Sarah Loverme has with been the library for eight years.
The library has individual computers for children to use, which includes two early learning computers.
The children’s section carries books that cover the 0-12 age range, and includes a rug with a huge cat face on it, with a given name of “Pete the Cat,” after the popular book series.
Smarty Pants Storytime, which occurs every Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. until June 30 takes place on the Pete the Cat rug. Storytime will resume in mid-July.
Registration is required for children, ages 2-5, to enjoy books, songs, rhymes and movement while learning school readiness skills and having fun.
Storytime used to gather more than 100 people before the pandemic and now has about 40, but Loverme said that it continues to grow since the in-person program restarted.
The library also offers a children’s art series over the summer, which is presented by the Friends of the Junior Art Center. Children ages 5-12 will learn how to do Australian Dot Art, Medieval Letter and Year of the Rabbit puppet to name a few. The series is made possible by a donation received in 2020 from the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts.
“The grant was specifically earmarked for children’s programming for the LCF Library,” said Totten.
Loverme also mentioned the Bookmark Contest that the library participates in along with other county libraries, which starts in September.
“We have local winners at each library and then they get sent to a district wide competition,” said Loverme. “We’ve had district winners before, so were hoping we have one this year.”
She said that the kids get really excited about and the library displays their artwork.
If Loverme and Totten are not busy with programs and bettering the library, they are visiting the city’s schools and events.
“It is a nice community, and we see the same faces all the time,” said Totten.
First published in the June 22 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
