The City Council gave preliminary approval Wednesday to an expansion of the Arcadia Public Library that may add 15,000 square feet of space at a cost of about $3.5 million.
Plaza de las Fiestas, a new multipurpose arena in the northwest quadrant of the infield at the Santa Anita Park, has been created to accommodate Family Faire weekend outings for groups of 25 or more, as well as company picnics, concerts, trade shows, equine shows and other special occasions that can share the day with racing.
The Arcadia Public Library has joined the Metropolitan Cooperative Library System. Library users will have access to MCLS libraries, SCAN (Southern California Answering Network at Los Angeles Public Library) and SCILL (Southern California Interlibrary Loan Network).
In an informal, long-range planning session, City Council members made a new library and police station two of their top priorities. Last month, the council approves spending $55,000 to hire a consultant, to be chosen at the June 19th meeting, to draw up plans for a new library to replace the overcrowded library.
A public hearing to air teachers' contract proposals was well attended by an angry public. Some expressed the view that teachers were out to get everything they can.
Due to a shrinking budget the audio-visual department of the Arcadia Public Library has been closed by the City Council. The Arcadia school system has been offered the films and equipment, worth approximately $100,000. The cuts in the library budget will also mean reduction in personnel and operating hours. These matters are discussed.
Area librarians agree that recessionary periods create a greater demand for library services. It is ironic that this comes at a time when libraries are hurting from budget cuts. Arcadia and Monrovia have suffered most in this regard, cutting down on personnel and new book purchases and, in Arcadia's case, closing it's audio-visual department and reducing hours.
Arcadia resident "Tal" Chase is the first visually handicapped person in the phone company to achieve his particular position with the special services data test center.
The City Council passed a resolution supporting the Arcadia Coalition for Education, a group of educators and community members demanding more state money for schools.
Biographical profile of Helen Lawrence, who retired May 1977 from the Arcadia Public Library after almost 21 years, the last 10 of which were as head of the Circulation Department.
"Wild About Reading" is the theme for the summer program to be sponsored by the Jerry Broadwell Children's Room of Arcadia Public Library. Registration begins June 6 through July 18.
The Library Board approved a budget of $5000 to purchase more Asian reading materials. Rose Hwang, the librarian in charge of the Asian language collection said the money will buy at least 600 new books.
A new or improved public library could become a reality in the near future. The current library is bursting at the seams with increasing amounts of books, computer equipment and an increasing number of people using the 28-year-old library.
The Arcadia Historical Society, which has half a garage full of artifacts, soon will have a building of its own, thanks to American Savings and Loan Association. When American moves to its new location on First Avenue, it will donate its temporary building at 30 North Santa Anita Avenue to the society.
Ordinance governing roofs given first reading by City Council Tuesday night. Following second reading and 30-day waiting period, Arcadians who construct new roofs will be required to use specific fire-retardant materials.
James Domney, 49, is leaving his position as City Librarian after 11 years in this position and 18 years with the library. Kent Ross, 45, who started at the library at about the same time as Domney, was recently appointed as the new City Librarian.
Though Arcadia Unified School District has had to cut back on employees due to lack of money from the state, it will soon hire and elementary school counselor thanks to some imaginative use of state grant money.