Waynnhall "Waynn" Pearson

1944 - 2017

April 12, 1944 - January 31, 2017 Dreamer and maker. Impresario and administrator. Rule breaker and problem solver. Race driver and librarian. We mourn the loss of a man who was impossible to pigeonhole. Waynn Pearson was born and grew up in Pomona, and graduated from Pomona High School and Cal State Fullerton. He fell in love with motor sports at an early age, racing midget cars and idolizing the great Indy drivers. He was a lifelong resident and lover of all things Southern California, living in Rancho Cucamonga, Cerritos, and Pasadena before moving to La Quinta in 2015. Waynn worked at a variety of jobs, including stints as a custodian and a haberdasher, before finding his career as a librarian. After assignments at Pomona Public Library and Ontario Public Library, he was named director of the Cerritos Library in 1981, a post he held until his retirement in 2006. Waynn's great professional legacy is the "experience library," a complete re-imagination of library services from the user's perspective, focused on enhanced book collections, rich learning environments, and full integration of new technology. Under Waynn's leadership, the Cerritos Millennium Library was expanded to 88,500 square feet, including a high-tech conference center, museum-quality artwork and displays, green screen and video walls, a 15,000 gallon aquarium, traveling Smithsonian exhibits, and a full-sized T. rex skeleton in the children's area. This achievement earned many honors from within and beyond the library community, including "Best Public Library" from Los Angeles Magazine, L.A. Parent Magazine, and Reader's Digest; the American Library Association/American Institute of Architects' "Award of Excellence;" the "Experience Stager of the Year (EXPY)" award from Strategic Horizon; and the "Thea" award from the Themed Entertainment Association. In 2003, Waynn was named a Mover & Shaker by Library Journal, which also lists the Cerritos Library as one of America's Star Libraries. Waynn's other lasting contribution to the library world was his mentorship and encouragement of scores of young librarians, including the fellows of the Eureka! Leadership Program. Always ready to consult and advise, he had a gift for spotting and developing talent in others, inspiring them to dream big, trust their instincts, and follow their passion. His influence will be felt for years to come. Waynn is survived by his wife, Holly (Hinman) Pearson, brother Ernest Pearson, sister Grace Cubbage, son Scott Pearson (Tina), daughter Katie Ide (James), six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, and by former wife and good friend Judy Pearson. Waynn was a gregarious soul, who made and kept many friends. He will be sorely missed. Life of the party and head of the family, he was happiest when surrounded by the people he loved, bubbling over with enthusiasm about some new project. We can picture him now, up in heaven, sharing a single malt Scotch and enjoying a brainstorming session with his hero Walt Disney about the next great adventure. Memorial services will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, February 11, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 122 S. California Avenue, Monrovia 91016. Anyone wishing to make a donation in Waynn's memory is encouraged to contribute to the Walt Disney Birthplace, http://www.thewaltdisneybirthplace.org.