Library auditorium renovations

The Cay Mortenson Auditorium at the Arcadia Public Library will undergo audio/visual, lighting system, and soundproofing improvements this winter, in time for a planned Classical Kaleidoscope concert on April 24.

Original plans for renovations were to have been more extensive — recarpeting, painting and installing new kitchen cabinets and vinyl flooring — and to have been completed sooner, but bids for those improvements came in much higher than budgeted. The delays mean that the January 16 Classical Kaleidoscope Concert — Cello Power: The Great Schubert Quintet — will be held at the Arcadia Community Center, 365 Campus Drive, and English classes for Chinese students, held in the auditorium, will be further delayed until fall 2013.

In other Library news, the bookstore in the Library operated by the Friends of the Library will be closed Dec. 17 – Jan. 1, but will be open until then from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Saturday, offering high-quality books for sale at reasonable prices.

The book store, the primary source of revenue for the Friends, which provides tens of thousands of dollars in donations to the Library each year, is always looking for volunteers to staff the store. Work shifts are 2 1/2 hours. Those interested may obtain an application at the store.

Finally, the Library is offering another season of Computer Lab Learning classes — schedules available online Tuesday, Dec. 4; in-person registration for Arcadia residents 10 a.m. – 12 noon Tuesday, Dec. 18, and thereafter for anyone in person or by phone (626-821-5569).

— By Scott Hettrick