Albany Head Librarian to Retire After 35 Years

Growing up loving to read and having spent many years in the great libraries of New York, Ronnie Davis always had a special place in her heart for libraries. 

Ronnie Davis, whose long career as a dedicated head librarian will come to an end on August 16, joined the Alameda County Library system in 1975 and has been the branch manager of Albany Library for more than 30 years. 

"It's been amazing to work in this community with all the people that really care about the library, like Friends of the Albany Library and the Albany Library Board," emphasized Davis. "That's really the part I hold in my heart." 

According to Davis, her greatest accomplishments in the three decades she served the Albany Library were contributing to the construction of the new library building and working with citizens to increase library operation hours. 

"When I started, the Albany Library was on Solano Avenue and it was described as a 'shoebox' of a library," Davis recalled. 

She worked with many people from the community to write a competitive grant to receive state money for a new building. In 1994, the library opened its doors to a new home on 1247 Marin Avenue. 

Davis described it as a "total community effort."

She was "instrumental in the planning for the current building, from the rugs on up," said Marsha Skinner, Vice President of Friends of Albany Library. 

In 1994 and 2006, Davis continued to support the library by working with Albany citizens and Friends of the Albany Library to pass two tax measures to provide for additional hours of service and to open on Sundays.

"Ronnie shows where public service and political commitment intersect," said librarian Daniel Hess, in an email exchange. "She has also affected people's lives through countless conversations at the Reference Desk." 

Skinner describes her as a very "hands-on" person. 

"The library staff has always been outstanding and appreciated by the people," said Davis. "It's been a very fulfilling job." 

Not only has Davis loved her career, but she also loves her town. 

Davis came to Albany in 1975, after completing her undergraduate degree at New York University and her graduate degree at the School of Library Science at Columbia University, under a New York State Library scholarship. 

"I love New York City but this was the place to raise a family," she said. "And I had the joy and privilege of living and working in this town." 

Davis raised two children in Albany. Both went to schools in Albany and Berkeley. 

The people of Albany have really good values – for education and for libraries, good parks, safe streets," said Davis. 

The Albany Library continues to draw a thousand people every day with its summer programs, poetry events, wireless internet, e-books, and, of course, regular books. 

"We just keep proving ourselves that we are an institution that's worth supporting and is expanding," said Davis. 

Davis has no specific post-retirement plans, but wants to see what comes next. Perhaps taking courses and exercising. 

She will not be having a formal public retirement party, but "the community is welcome to stop by the library and say good-bye," said Davis. 

Her last day as branch manager will be on August 16. 

"I will still be a member of the Albany community and a customer of the wonderful Albany Library," said Davis. 

She also said the Alameda County Library is currently seeking a new manager for the Albany Library and is reviewing applications and setting up interviews. 

"Libraries are the equalizers of society. People come in for information and everybody is treated the same," Davis concluded. 

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