Mikey Hirano Culross/Rafu Shimpo
Yoshiko Solomon poses among the shelves of books at the Little Tokyo Library. She retired last Sunday after working in the library system for nearly 30 years.

Sunday’s luncheon at the Azalea Restaurant in the New Otani Hotel couldn’t have been more delightful. Some 80 friends, family and colleagues gathered to wish a happy retirement to Yoshiko Solomon, who has officially retired from the Little Tokyo branch of the Los Angeles Public Library.

Nearly 30 years after Solomon, 77, first began working in the L.A. library system, she leaves her daily duties after seeing a longtime dream become reality.

She was one of the staff members who helped to open the first Little Tokyo branch, which was located at Centenary Methodist Church.

“This is a real loss for the system, especially to lose someone who is truly bilingual,” said Susan Thompson, who was a senior librarian at that first Little Tokyo facility. “She’s earned her retirement, though,” Thompson added.

Staff members who have a strong ability in both English and Japanese are a precious commodity at the the Little Tokyo branch, where many patrons only speak Japanese or are in search of hard-to-find Japanese-language materials.

In addition to gifts, flowers and cards, Solomon was also presented with an official city proclamation, signed by the Board of Library Commissioners, which expressed gratitude for her years of service and best wishes for her future.

Richard Solomon, the retiree’s 41-year-old son, said that his mother has earned a nice long rest.

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