Community Sendoff for Beloved, Respected Head Librarian Jan Sanders Continues Today

At an event Thursday night marking the retirement of Pasadena Director of Libraries and Information Services Jan Sanders with “230 of my closest friends,” Sanders said her time spent in Pasadena has been the capstone of her 45-year-career as a librarian.

After a mix and mingle held in the Main Library, which saw guests standing and chatting while others sat at reading tables laden with plates of appetizers, current and former government officials and civic leaders paid tribute to Sanders.

The farewells will continue today, when the public is invited to stop by the Main Library at 285 East Walnut Street to wish Sanders the best in her retirement.

Sanders’ decision to retire brings to a close a remarkable career in library leadership throughout the United States, 11 of them in Pasadena. Her path to Pasadena wound through Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Washington before bringing her to the Pasadena Public Library in 2005.

Throughout her career she has served as children’s librarian, bookmobile librarian, branch manager, community college librarian, and library construction supervisor before first becoming a director in 1990.

“Jan Sanders has done a remarkable job establishing the Pasadena public library system as one of, if not the, premier library system in the state,” said Steve Mermell, Interim Pasadena City Manager. “Through her leadership Jan has proven that libraries can remain vibrant and relevant in the digital age and an ongoing source of creativity. I wish Jan all the best for her well-deserved retirement.”