Blatant Berry: Is Herrera "a Perfect Fit"?

I doubt that anyone qualifies as a "perfect fit" to direct the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL), but Luis Herrera, who just took the job, comes very close. To direct a major urban library has been his "career objective." His experience and education testify to his belief that "libraries are a vital government service." Along with the MLS, Herrera pursued a master's degree in public administration, instead of the MBA more common with library administrators.

San Francisco has been tough on its library directors. Many good ones moved on after relatively short stints. In addition to answering to the library commission, mayor, and city council, the SFPL director is accountable in complicated ways to the leaders of the Friends group (which includes what was formerly the library foundation) and a comparatively strong library union. He's accountable to the city's citizens, too, as diverse a constituency as anywhere in America.

Loudly self-governing, civically involved, and disparately organized into a complicated matrix of overlapping interest groups, San Franciscans are frequently at odds with each other. They always demand that their government address their needs. They pay well for their library and clearly love it, with energy and engagement that has surprised—even shocked—those who administer that great civic asset. Local activists influence the governance of the city and library. Often written off as gadflies and cranks, they have had visible impact on policy decisions, although those in power might deny it. Recently some opposed the SFPL plan to install RFID technology. "I know the commission is evaluating that," Herrera says, adding diplomatically, "It needs more study."

Herrera is ready for the challenge of SFPL. In a decade as director of information services at the Pasadena Public Library, CA, Herrera reached deeply into the community. He chaired the Pasadena Unified School District's Partners in Education Advisory Board and was on the Board of Directors of El Centro De Acción Social, which provides advocacy and social services to Latinos. He worked out similar community partnering as deputy director of the San Diego Public Library, where he ran the branch libraries.

Herrera's professional ties are strong. He was named Librarian of the Year by REFORMA and later was elected its president. He was president of the California Library Association and in 2003–04 headed the Public Library Association. He begins at SFPL soon, having already visited branches and met with the management team. Of SFPL's citizens, he says, "I'm impressed with their passion and commitment."

"I'm serious about wanting to be open in terms of communicating about issues and resolving them," says Herrera about relations with the sometimes disgruntled SFPL workers. He worked with unions in Pasadena but on a smaller scale. "My message to staff is that I definitely want to work as a team. We need a working partnership. I know it sounds like a cliché, but I am sincere and I listen."

Herrera has studied the SFPL Strategic Plan and wants to focus on one of his strengths, building community-library alliances. He understands the tough issues and the opportunities in the $130 million Branch Library Improvement Program. "I have my work cut out for me," he says, regarding the renovation of 19 branches, replacement of four rented sites with city-owned facilities, and construction of one new branch.

"I am proud to be the city's first Latino library director," Herrera says in response to a city press release noting that fact. He quickly adds, "I'm not focused on any one group in this exciting community. I'm looking forward to responding to the needs of the entire community."

There is no doubt that all of San Francisco will communicate their library needs, loud and clear, to the new director. Based on his commitment, his successful career, and his belief in libraries as a service of good government, Luis Herrera will, we think, successfully execute the daunting challenge of leading the San Francisco Public Library. He may not be the "perfect fit" for SFPL immediately, but, as he says, "I know that I will learn and grow here." That could make him a "perfect fit" pretty fast.

jberry@reedbusiness.com