Neighbors near the corner of Orange Grove Boulevard and Sierra Madre can walk into their branch library again. The Hastings Branch Library at 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd. reopened Wednesday, July 1, after a temporary closure for building improvements.
The biggest change: a new corridor in the reading area that reroutes foot traffic away from the meeting room. Previously, patrons had to pass through the meeting room to reach the restrooms, interrupting programs and community gatherings in progress. The new hallway provides direct restroom access, freeing the meeting room to function as a dedicated space for programming and neighborhood meetings.
The closure was prompted by feedback from community members, according to the city's announcement.
"We know how important the library is to our community, and while closures are rare, this work was necessary to improve the building for patrons and staff alike," Library Director Tim McDonald said.
The city did not disclose the closure duration or project cost.
The Hastings Branch is one of 10 Pasadena Public Library branches across the city. With the meeting room now available as uninterrupted programming space, the branch reopens in time for the library system's busiest stretch of summer events. The annual Summer Reading Program runs through Saturday, August 1, with the theme "On the Road to Reading" celebrating the 100th anniversary of U.S. Route 66. Residents of all ages can sign up online at Pasadena.Beanstack.com or in person at any branch.
Upcoming summer library events
- Thursday, July 2 — Party Puppets with Mr. Markus, 10 a.m., La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave. (ages 3–12)
- Thursday, July 16 — Bubblemania, 10 a.m., Villa Parke Branch Library, 363 E. Villa St. (ages 5–12)
- Saturday, July 18 — Brillantina Puppet Theater (bilingual Spanish/English), 11 a.m., Santa Catalina Branch Library, 999 E. Washington Blvd. (ages 3–5)
- Thursday, July 23 — Dino Discovery: Route 66 Adventure, 10 a.m., La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave. (ages 2–12)
- Saturday, July 25 — Zany Zoë Magic, 11 a.m., Allendale Branch Library, 1130 S. Marengo Ave. (ages 5–12)
- Thursday, July 30 — Up, Up, and Away with Mad Science of Los Angeles, 10:30 a.m., Linda Vista Branch Library, 1281 Bryant St. (ages 5–12)
- Saturday, August 1 — End of Summer Bash, 11 a.m., Jefferson Branch Library, 1500 E. Villa St. (ages 3–19). Includes games, Ballet Folklorico performance, prize redemption, and refreshments.
The full library events calendar is available at CityOfPasadena.net/Library/Calendar.
