City of San Diego Library Director Deborah Barrow has announced her retirement, effective July 11.

At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Barrow said she decided to step down because she will become a grandmother soon.

Deborah Barrow, 2nd from right, with former Councilman Tony Young, Councilwoman Lorie Zapf and former Mayor Jerry Sanders. Photo credit: sandiego.gov
Deborah Barrow, 2nd from right, with former Councilman Tony Young, left, and former Mayor Jerry Sanders, right. Photo credit: sandiego.gov

Barrow is credited with leading the development of the Central Library, which opened last September in the East Village, and guiding the department through the fiscal impacts of the recession. She became library director in 2008.

The library had to cut operating hours and employees throughout its system, but has been able to restore most of them over the past year or so. The proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 brings library operating hours back to where they were about 10 years ago.

“I hope the new person who follows you can follow the same standards you set,” Councilman Scott Sherman said.

Barrow said she has been quietly spreading the word in recent days, but Tuesday was the first public announcement.

– City News Service