'Librarian in Black' Gets a Promotion

Sarah Houghton will start her new job as library director on May 1, according to City Manager Nancy Mackle.

Houghton, known to some as the “Librarian in Black” due to her popular blog,  served as San Rafael’s assistant library director since Feb, 15, 2011. Now, she will oversee the activities of two community libraries and provide staff support to the Library Board of Trustees. Her starting salary will be $110,304.

“Sarah has great skills and an unparalleled enthusiasm for knowledge of current technologies which are necessary to keep the library relevant for all age groups for years to come,” Mackle said in a statement. “ She will make sure quality services continue to be offered to our library patrons, and will ensure a smooth transition in departmental leadership.”

Houghton, who has been a San Rafael resident for 8 years, previously worked as the Digital Futures Manager for the San Jose Public Library and in a variety of other library jobs, from a page all the way up through management, since 1997. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English, a Master of Arts in Irish and English Literature, and a Master of Science in Library and Information Science.

Friends of the San Rafael Public Library will be hosting two “meet and greet” events for community members to meet the new Library Director: at the on May 29, 2012 at 5:30 pm. and at the at Pickleweed Park on May 31, 2012 at 5:30 pm.