Here’s the full text of today’s announcement from the San Francisco Public Library.
Luis Herrera, City Librarian of the San Francisco Public Library, announced his retirement, effective late February 2018.
“Today is a bittersweet day,” began the message sent to all staff by Herrera. “Together, we have ensured that the San Francisco Public Library remains a welcoming, vital and integral part of San Francisco life.” Luis Herrera
Herrera
Herrera’s tenure ushered in a new era of library service – one with increased equity and access. The branch libraries were transformed through the Branch Library Improvement Program, spaces were repurposed at the Main Library to create The Mix teen digital center and The Bridge at Main literacy and learning center, and numerous partnerships were formed to foster myriad learning opportunities, innovative and accessible programs and civic engagement for San Francisco residents. Most recently, Herrera worked with Mayor Ed Lee to ensure that all San Francisco libraries are open seven days a week.
Herrera has held various positions in the library profession for more than 40 years. In 2012, he was named the Librarian of the Year by Library Journal magazine. Before coming to San Francisco, Herrera served as the Director of Information Services for Pasadena Public Library and the Deputy Director of the San Diego and Long Beach Library systems in California. He has served as President of both the Public Library Association and the California Library Association and is currently a member of the Board of Trustees for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Herrera is the immediate past Chair of Cal Humanities and served on the Board of the Digital Public Library of America. He was also appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the Board of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Following Herrera’s departure, the Mayor’s Office plans to appoint Deputy City Librarian Michael Lambert as Acting City Librarian. Lambert has been Deputy City Librarian since March 2014 and has served in four urban libraries during his more than 25 year career. The San Francisco Department of Human Resources will work with a recruitment firm on a national search for a replacement. The Library Commission will vet candidates and forward suggested names to the Mayor for appointment. In the past, this process has taken several months.
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area.
He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit.
Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.
