Literary giants make rare appearance at Pasadena Library Gala

Playwright and poet Oscar Wilde, superbly portrayed by Jesse Martin, wandered the library’s depth and breadth Sunday while reciting from one of his book of poems – Photos by Terry Miller

Oscar Wilde, Thoreau and Alcott attend Pasadena Central Library Façade Restoration Project Gala Sunday

By Terry Miller

Roaming the hallowed hallways of the historic Pasadena Central Library Sunday, one was whisked back in time when life was perhaps a little simpler and when reading a book didn’t require a Kindle or smart phone.
Oscar Wilde, superbly portrayed by Jesse Martin, wandered the library’s depth and breadth Sunday while reading from one of his books … After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, Wilde became one of London’s most popular playwrights in the early 1890s. He is, perhaps, best remembered for his epigrams, his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, his plays, and the circumstances of his imprisonment and early death. In the latter half of the 20th century he became a gay icon. Of Wilde’s many memorable quotes, the following two stood out for this special occasion on Sunday,
“If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.”

And: “The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame.”

Pasadena’s Central Library’s magnificent south façade is impressive but needs restoration, hence the reason these literary giants( which also included Louisa May Alcott and Henry David Thoreau) attended the soiree to raise funds to restore the eye-catching “face” of the building that overlooks Walnut Street and the historic civic center.

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Ninety years ago, ten architectural firms competed for the privilege of designing it; the commission was awarded to the firm of Myron Hunt and H.C. Chambers. Construction began in 1925, the date inscribed over the front entrance. Dedicated two years later, the library now ranks on the National Register of Historic Places. The last restoration took place between 1984 and 1990, funded in large measure by the Pasadena Public Library Foundation. Now the magnificent arched windows, stonework and exterior wall of the south façade are in critical need of restoration, repair and painting due to decades of sun exposure and general weathering. Funds raised from this event Sunday will restore the façade to its former glory thanks to the generosity of many in Pasadena

The fundraising gala highlighted the year-long celebration of 130 Years of Reading in Pasadena.

The two hosts for their sponsorship of this event, The Friends of the Pasadena Public Library and the Pasadena Public Library Foundation, true friends and supporters of the library. The Friends of the Pasadena Public Library, founded in 1975, funds the library’s programs, special services and cultural events. Pasadena Public Library Foundation, now an endowment fund of the Pasadena Community Foundation, was established 31 years ago to refurbish and maintain the beautiful and historic Central Library building.

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