I want to thank all of you who have made such nice comments about our Read with the Stars posters.  I know that libraries all across America have benefited from the support that famous movie stars, athletes and community leaders have given to public libraries. But its not just the libraries that have benefited from their efforts; all the people in those communities who have taken their suggestions and opened a book have benefited as well. I want to thank our "local stars" for supporting our Read with the Stars campaign here in Pasadena: Miss Araceli Lopez, Miss Shelby Green, and Mayor Johnny Isbell.

Many people in Pasadena have asked about our plans for offering programming in our public meeting room spaces. The summer reading programs with their supporting activities have been very popular at the library. We also are continuing our computer classes in the Central Library Business Center. We hope to start offering more active programming for adults as well as children throughout the coming year in our meeting rooms. A staff member has been assigned to coordinate programming activities at both libraries and to actively seek out new and interesting programs for both children and adults.

In the month of March, we will feature the award-winning Armand Bayou wild native reptile show at both Fairmont and Central libraries. The San Jacinto Battleground weapons demonstration and show will also be held at both libraries. A talk on Smart Investing for Women will be held at Fairmont. Each Saturday at 2 p.m. the Fairmont Library will feature a family-orientated film, and on Tuesdays, Movie Mania will return to the Central Library featuring new releases of the latest movies at 4 p.m.

Children's story hours will be offered twice a week at both Central and the Fairmont Library. The story hour on Monday mornings at the Central Library is a bi-lingual story hour.

We are continually looking at more programs and presentations for adults, including talks by lawyers, nutritionists, financial planners and hobbyists. I am particularly interested in finding programs in Spanish for our Spanish-speaking neighbors. If you have any thoughts on programs that you would like to see or have heard about in other places, please give me your suggestions by placing them in the suggestion box at the Circulation desk, or by calling me at the library at 713.477.0276. I am delighted to hear from you and to try to provide just the right kind of programming for our community.  

As you probably know, all of our programs are FREE, whether you have a library card or not. We are supported in these efforts by the generous contributions of the Friends of the Library, under the leadership of President Chris Sims, in addition to the many presenters who offer their advice, services and presentations without cost to the people of Pasadena.

All programs at the library offer free sign-ups in advance. By using a registration process, you can be assured of a seat at the more popular programs. Our meeting rooms are limited in space and can only hold a fixed number of people. You can sign up at the Circulation desk, online, or by calling the library and asking for Ms. Turoff or leaving her a message on her voice mail at 713.475.4984, if she is not available.

Schedules for all library programs are available at the Circulation desk at the beginning of the month. They can also be found online at the library web site www.ppltx.net. Many, but not all programs, will have special announcements or posters to advertise them at the library. The best way to find out what is coming up is to check the free monthly calendar or to look online. If you want to get in, be sure to register in advance.  

I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming programming events. I hope you find something you will enjoy in the coming months.

Thomas C. Simiele

Director, Pasadena Libraries