Media Release
The City of South Pasadena is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Patsel as the new Library Director of the South Pasadena Public Library, who brings over two decades of public library leadership, innovation, and community-focused service to the City.
Matthew joins the City with over 23 years of experience in the Orange County Public Libraries system, one of the largest and most diverse library systems in California. Mr. Patsel holds a Master of Science in Information and Library Studies from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. His previous roles include Librarian, Branch Manager, Public Information and Safety Officer, and Regional Services Manager, where he oversaw operations for ten library branches and supervised branch managers and staff.
In his most recent role, Matthew collaborated closely with library administration to shape systemwide policies and implement county directives across 29 branches that served more than 400,000 registered users. He played a key role in managing a $90 million operating budget, overseeing staffing for more than 340 employees, and guiding decisions related to facilities, information technology, bibliographic services, and programming. Under Matthew’s leadership, branches within the region experienced significant growth and engagement. During fiscal year 2023–2024, branches he supervised saw programming increase by 20 percent, program attendance rose by 88 percent, and overall foot traffic grew by 14 percent, reflecting a strong commitment to community-centered service.
Matthew chaired the Library of Things Committee, which launched in 2024, and led the Teen Services Committee. As a resident of the San Gabriel Valley, he enjoys free time in the South Pasadena community.
With extensive experience in library system leadership, staff development, and public service innovation, Matthew brings a strong vision for the future of libraries as inclusive, dynamic community spaces. The City looks forward to Matthew’s leadership and the continued growth of library services that inspire learning, connection, and community engagement.
