Ray Bradbury Collection
Ray Bradbury (1920-2012) was a prolific and beloved author of novels, essays, plays and poems and a mentor to young writers and creators. He was a life-long user of libraries as well as an outspoken and articulate public library advocate. Bradbury lived in Southern California for more than 75 years and in his later years many of his plays were performed at South Pasadena’s own Fremont Center Theatre. Given Bradbury’s significant contributions to public libraries and the South Pasadena community, in 2013 the South Pasadena Public Library’s Conference Room was renamed the “Ray Bradbury Conference Room”. In 2016 Bradbury was inducted into the California Library Hall of Fame. To learn more about Ray Bradbury, visit the author's official website.
The Ray Bradbury Collection, hosted in the Conference Room and local history archive, contains ephemera, photos, first edition Bradbury books, and vintage paperbacks.
Centennial Online Exhibit
Ray Bradbury (1920-2012), famed writer and poet, had a special relationship with the city of South Pasadena. Bradbury's interest in South Pasadena is perhaps derived from South Pasadena's small-town charm; a reminder of his youth in Waukegan, Illinois. In celebration of Bradbury's 100th birthday, the South Pasadena Public Library invites you to explore the cultural impact Ray Bradbury has had on our city. Click here to view our online exhibit.
Fused Glass Public Artwork
The Library commissioned a unique work of art dedicated to Ray Bradbury and designed by local artist Tim Carey Carey's stunning triptych for the Library's Ray Bradbury Conference Room pays tribute to the author's life and work. The fused glass artwork was created at the world-renowned Judson Studios in South Pasadena and installed in the Ray Bradbury Conference Room on October 29, 2020. To learn more about Judson Studios, borrow a copy of the newly released Judson: Innovation in Stained Glass from the Library. To read Tim Carey's concept statement about the work, click here. This project was funded by generous donors to the non-profit Friends of the South Public Pasadena Public Library, unrestricted funds previously donated to the Library, and discretionary fund designations from members of the City Council.
South Pasadena Poet Laureate Ron Koertge reads his poem [video], "In Memoriam" [pdf], written in remembrance of Ray Bradbury (August 17, 2020).
Ray Bradbury Archive
The Ray Bradbury Archive contains ephemera, photographs, newspaper articles, and press releases related to Bradbury’s influence on South Pasadena. A comprehensive list of materials in the collection can be found in the Ray Bradbury Archive(PDF, 313KB) finding aid.
Please contact the Local History Librarian at localhistory@southpasadenaca.gov or (626) 403-7359 if you are interested in accessing this collection.
Ray Bradbury Book Collection
The Ray Bradbury Collection includes approximately 150 titles. These include autographed copies, first editions, pulp paperbacks, international editions, short story collections, and magazine features. All books in this collection are non-circulating and available exclusively for reference use. Click here to browse the collection in the Library catalog. Circulating materials by and about Bradbury can also be found in the catalog.