During the September 22, 2026, City Council meeting, municipal leaders and local librarians unveiled a robust slate of fall and winter activities. These include the library’s 120th-anniversary Carnegie campaign and a reimagined, city-produced Holiday Lighting ceremony set for early December.
Honoring our Carnegie Roots
In 1906, a $10,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation laid the foundation for South Pasadena’s public library. To honor that legacy and America’s upcoming 250th birthday, the library has received a new, no-strings-attached $10,000 Carnegie grant.
Senior Librarian Olivia Radbill presented the city’s visionary campaign, which runs from September through November. “We wanted to put it toward activities that the community would immediately benefit from,” Radbill shared with the council.
A Century in a Box
To bridge the generational gap, library staff curated engaging “Decade Kits” representing the 1900s through the 2000s. These unique packages allow families to check out pieces of the past to explore together. Each kit contains children’s literature, vintage toys, and analog technology representative of that specific era.
For example, the 1950s kit features classics like The Lonely Doll and a Magic Eight Ball, while later kits include heavily requested artifacts like cassette and CD players. The initiative is part of the newly launched “Library of Things,” which also offers outdoor games and musical instruments for resident check-out.
Expanding the Light at Library Park
The civic energy extending from the library will carry straight into December. Community Services Director Melissa Snyder announced that the city will step up to host and produce the 2026 Holiday Lighting Ceremony.
Previously spearheaded by the Chamber of Commerce, this year’s city-led event aims to preserve beloved tree and menorah lighting traditions while embracing a broader, more inclusive array of community holidays. The city plans to rent a 14-to-16-foot artificial tree to anchor the festivities.
By bringing the organizing work in-house, the Community Services Department hopes to incorporate more local organizations, performances, and activities. The Chamber of Commerce has expressed interest in remaining involved, and the city intends to work with them to identify a meaningful role in the expanded gathering.
Residents eager to participate have a full calendar of civic events to look forward to this fall. Mark your calendars and connect with your neighbors at these upcoming municipal gatherings:
• Library Genealogy Fair: Saturday, October 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the library. The event features a Genealogy 101 workshop, a presentation on Chinese American genealogy by former Chinese Historical Society president Eugene Moy, and a film screening by local documentarian Kay Mirandian.
• Flamenco Performance: Saturday, October 12, at 6:00 p.m. in the Library Community Room. There is no registration required for this all-ages event.
• Spirited Away Screening: Saturday, November 28, featuring a live piano score to wrap up the library campaign.
• Holiday Lighting Ceremony: Tentatively scheduled for Saturday, December 5, in the outdoor area adjacent to the Library Community Room.
Be sure to visit the South Pasadena Public Library at 1100 Oxley Street to pick up your limited-edition Morton Bay fig tree library card and explore the new Library of Things today.
