Altadena Library District
On Saturday, December 14, at 10 PM., Barbara J. Pearson, Director of the Altadena Library District for the previous nine years, passed away. She had been at Pomona Valley Hospital recuperating from pneumonia.
While at Altadena Library, Ms. Pearson updated its integrated library system, modernized the interior of both main and branch libraries, and renovated the infrastructure with new wiring to expand the library’s public computers from ten to 40. She began the library’s Art on Millionaire’s Row annual arts and crafts fair and salon. She had also worked hard on planning and raising funds to update the main library facility to bring it into ADA compliancy but passed before this goal could come to fruition.
Previous to her position at Altadena Ms. Pearson also served as chief librarian for the city of Burbank Public Library. While there, she oversaw the construction of Buena Vista Library Branch which was labeled a high-tech yet homey example of excellent library design and quickly became a popular destination for its community and librarians throughout California. Before this time she served as the library director for the city of El Segundo for ten years where she was credited with leading a library renovation and expansion project.
In honor of Ms. Pearson, the Board of Library Trustees voted to name the library’s meeting hall, the Barbara J. Pearson Community Room. Both the Altadena Main and Branch Libraries will be closed on Friday, December 27, to enable staff to attend her memorial service which will be held at 2:00 PM that day at Our Lady of the Assumption, 435 N. Berkeley Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711. Ms. Pearson’s survivors include a daughter, two sisters, and a grandson. Condolences may be sent to her daughter Kathleen Flynn, in care of Altadena Main Library, 600 East Mariposa Street, Altadena, CA 91001
So sorry to hear of this. Barbara really improved the library and the “visitor experience” by lightening and brightening the building somehow —also so many good programs found their way here on her watch. She will be missed, and it is hard to believe that 9 years have passed since she was new librarian in town.
I knew Barbara many years ago when we worked together at the Ontario City Library, where she brought “class” to what was then a somewhat fledgeling fairly small city public library. She always sought and brought out the potential in those she knew could be great achievers, was voted Ontario’s Employee of the Year (mid 1970’s..can’t remember exact year) and we always knew she was destined to be highly successful. I also got to know Barbara on a more personal level by babysitting her daughter, Kathleen on a regular basis during the first few years of her life. Even after all these years, her passing comes as a great shock and how much she will be missed is truly immeasureable.
Kay Pearlman