A pictorial history entitled "Arcadia: Where Ranch and City Meet" is being published by the Friends of the Arcadia Public Library. The book is written and compiled by Pat McAdam of the Arcadia Public Library and Sandy Snider of the Los Angeles State and County Arboretum.
The Friends of the Arcadia Public Library's 30th annual book sale drew larger than usual crowds, with sales amounting to more than $9000, $1000 more than sales made in 1987.
Library Volunteer Program participants were honored at the recent Friends of the Arcadia Public Library general membership meeting in the Mortenson Art & Lecture Room.
Bea Chute, trustee of the Arcadia Public Library and president of the California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners, was one of 350 library trustees to attend the 102nd annual conference of the American Library Association in Los Angeles, June 25-30, 1983.
Edie O'Hair is in charge of the battle against overdue books at the Arcadia Library. Approximately 1,500 overdue notices are logged each month with a grand total of about 5,000 missing books.
A new $340,000 computer system will be installed in the library. using Inlex software and Hewlet Packard hardware, the library will automate the card catalog and the circulation desk providing better control of the library's 150,000 books and 240 periodicals.
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.
Arcadian Betsy Hatch took 2nd prize in the Textile and Craft Division of the California State Fair. Hatch, whose background and enthusiasm for her work is described, teaches a class in quilting.
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.
One of Arcadia's water wells, located on Camino Real Ave. between First and Second Avenues was pumping sandy water into the city's water distribution system. The well was shut down and will be carefully checked. The sandy water was not contaminated or harmful to drink.
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.