{"id":153186,"date":"2025-08-17T13:26:15","date_gmt":"2025-08-17T13:26:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/153186\/"},"modified":"2025-08-17T13:26:15","modified_gmt":"2025-08-17T13:26:15","slug":"south-pasadena-library-heading-into-retirement-maida-wong-embarks-on-a-new-chapter-the-south-pasadenan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/153186\/","title":{"rendered":"South Pasadena Library: Heading Into Retirement \u2013 Maida Wong Embarks on a New Chapter | The South Pasadenan"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Photo<\/a>Photo Courtesy of South Pasadena Public Library | The South Pasadenan | Public Services Manager Maida Wong sits behind the reference desk at South Pasadena Library. Wong is retiring after working at the library over the past 37 years.<\/p>\n

We \ud83d\udda4 Our Readership – Big News Coming Soon, Stay Tuend!<\/p>\n

In a way, South Pasadena Public Library Director Cathy Billings may have said it best, accurately assessing one of Maida Wong\u2019s greatest strengths over her 37-year career at the local institution known for its prestigious Carnegie acclaim.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe connected kids to books,\u201d said Billings, and while at it instilled the love of reading for thousands of young people.<\/p>\n

And parents throughout the city have Wong to thank for introducing their sons and daughters to hundreds of the books she read to them over that span.<\/p>\n

\"PhotoPhoto Provided by South Pasadena Public Library | The South Pasadenan | Library staff from left Chris Jones Barbara Posner Sandi Jensen and Maida Wong who retired working for the library after 37 years<\/p>\n

\u201cHer passion for her work and dedication to the city have been unwavering,\u201d Billings wrote in a message to the South Pasadena City Council, informing the five-member panel that Wong was stepping down from her long-standing duties at the local library, which opened in 1908 with funds donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, thus making it among the elite in the country.<\/p>\n

Next chapter for Wong \u2013 retirement.
\n\"PhotoPhoto Provided by South Pasadena Public Library | The South Pasadenan | Public Services Manager Maida Wong provides assistance at South Pasadena Library Wong is retiring after working at the library over the past 37 years\n<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen she was hired in 1988, Maida was following in a long line of highly regarded children\u2019s librarians at the library \u2013 she had big shoes to fill, and she quickly filled them!\u201d noted Billings in her statement to the council.<\/p>\n

While she was promoted to public services manager in 2017, a piece of her heart has always been with the kids and families in the (library\u2019s) children\u2019s room.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wong\u2019s esteemed career, pointed out Billings, included serving on selection committees for both the Caldecott Medal and the Newbery Award \u2013 a pair of highly distinguished children\u2019s literature honors in the United States. Along the way, she also devoted considerable time to mentoring and motivating interns, volunteers and librarians.<\/p>\n

Prior to working at the South Pasadena Library, Wong served as a Head Start special education resource person for about two years after her undergraduate studies. Head Start, according to Wikipedia, is a program of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, providing early childhood education, nutrition, health and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families.<\/p>\n

\"PhotoPhoto Provided by South Pasadena Public Library | The South Pasadenan | South Pasadena Library Public Service Manager Maida Wong reads to a group of students from Marengo Elemenary School<\/p>\n

It provided some valuable experience, remembers Wong, as she learned the art of how accomplished preschool teachers shared books with children. \u201cThat led to my interest in children\u2019s books and a children\u2019s literature class at the local college, which led to an internship at the local public library,\u201d she recalls.<\/p>\n

It was that moment in time that inspired Wong to further her education at library school. Following her graduate work, she found a position at Loyola High School in downtown Los Angeles for a few years, \u201cbut I missed the younger kids\u201d she explained, \u201cso I returned to the public library setting and worked stints with Glendale Public Library and then the County of Los Angeles Public Library until I, fortunately, got the senior librarian position at the South Pasadena Public Library.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"PhotoPhoto Provided by South Pasadena Public Library | The South Pasadenan | Workers gathered for a group photo with Public Services Manager Maida Wong on her last day at South Pasadena Library Wong is retiring after working at the library over the past 37 years<\/p>\n

That\u2019s where she showcased her talents at the highest level, reading dozens of children\u2019s books to visiting classrooms, making the section in the library for kids a special, unique place, all her own. During the summer months, she would invite a mix of authors, musicians, magicians and others to entertain youngsters, moms and dads as part of a \u201cWonderful Wednesday\u201d series in the adjacent community room. And, indeed they were.<\/p>\n

While much of her time at the library was spent in Children\u2019s Services, along with serving as interim city librarian on a couple of occasions, Wong moved into the public services manager post eight years ago, candidly saying it wasn\u2019t her top choice as a job.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy favorite position at the library was working as the children\u2019s librarian,\u201d insisted Wong. \u201cIt\u2019s a positive loop. When I got to share great stories with kids and they got excited about them, and even when they decided that it wasn\u2019t the right book yet, the feedback was immediate. Parents were so supportive and appreciative too. And every day was different. There were so many facets, from recommending books and answering questions to selecting materials and coordinating and presenting programs. Thinking about and figuring out different ways to engage children with reading and stories was such a fun challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n

While she says her years as public services manager \u201cwere just a different kind of challenge, but I suppose I did enjoy the daily direct contact with kids in my children\u2019s position slightly more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"PhotoPhoto Provided by South Pasadena Public Library | The South Pasadenan | Maida Wong back row second from right joined South Pasadena Public Library staff in dressing up in Wheres Waldo Costumes The childrens puzzle books were created by English illustrator Martin Hanford<\/p>\n

Connecting with the public was a way of life and customary practice for Wong, who seemed to always greet others with an infectious smile, beaming as she went out of her way to lend a hand.<\/p>\n

One in particular was a young woman, back in town a few weeks ago to visit her mother, dropping by the library to use one of the power banks \u2013 a portable battery used to charge devices, like mobile phones.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe said that when she was young, she used the library frequently,\u201d Wong said. \u201cSince her parents were first generation, they didn\u2019t speak English. She remembered that I suggested many different books to her, which were a lifeline to learning American language and culture.<\/p>\n

Eventually, noted Wong, the woman ended up getting a Ph.D. in English Literature and now teaches educators how to introduce literature to children. \u201cIt was such an honor that she shared her story and to know that what we put out into the world can continue to ripple out in unexpected ways,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Now that Wong has left the library scene, she plans to take what she calls \u201ca gap year to figure out what I really want to do and what activities I want to delve into. In the meantime, I\u2019m planning a couple of family trips to Spain and Japan and I\u2019ll be walking our dog, reading, binge-watching some shows, catching up with friends, and trying to clear out some closets and cabinets.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"PhotoPhoto Provided by South Pasadena Public Library | The South Pasdaenan | Maida Wong and Paul Kikuchi who works at Trader Joes on Mission Street in the city have been married for 38 years Wong is retiring after working at the library over the past 37 years<\/p>\n

Her proud husband of 38 years, Paul Kikuchi, continues to work at Trader Joe\u2019s, one of two in town, at the Mission Street location in the city.<\/p>\n

In a quick response when asked what she will miss most about working at the South Pasadena Public Library, Wong insisted: \u201cDefinitely my co-workers, whom I spent most of my waking hours and a few of them with whom we shared most of our adult life milestones.\u201d<\/p>\n

And why wouldn\u2019t she after building trusted relationships and meaningful connections with many of them over the years.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll also miss the supportive patrons,\u201d said Wong, whose last day was August 1. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to having time to do things that I put off when I didn\u2019t have time because of work. It still feels a bit like an extended vacation, but I can get used to this. It\u2019s really been my privilege to work with the South Pasadena community. We have so many supporters who help out behind the scenes, from friends, volunteers to community organizations, businesses and private citizens who have contributed to our programs. And the library staff is fantastic!\u00a0We have a dedicated team in place now and knowing that makes it a little easier to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

In her communication to the council, Billings conveyed that \u201cMaida has made a difference in the lives of countless young people, and those young people \u2013 now parents \u2013 come in to introduce their own kids to the library and share their fond memories from when \u2018Ms. Wong\u2019 was their librarian.\u201d<\/p>\n

And with her departure, the city\u2019s librarian said it\u2019s difficult to \u201cimagine the library without Maida\u2019s steady presence, optimism, principles, sense of humor and vast knowledge! She will be missed by staff and library users alike, but after 37 years, she has earned her retirement, and we wish her happy travels, relaxation, and joy in her next chapter!\u201d<\/p>\n

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