News Release

Jill Bourne will join San Francisco Public Library on Nov. 6 as the system’s new deputy city librarian. In this capacity, Bourne will serve as the assistant to City Librarian Luis Hererra and will be responsible for the administration of all operations and activities of the Public Library.

Bourne hails from the Seattle Public Library system, where she has worked in various positions for the past 9 ½ years. She brings strong experience in collection management, capital building programs, reference services, public training and staff development.

Bourne was recently named Seattle Public Library’s acting director of public services. Prior to that, she was the assistant director of public services, overseeing a staff of 110 and managing a $23 million annual operating budget. She also led collection management activities for the Central Library and the 26 branch libraries. Previously, Bourne served as assistant director of the Central Library, where she supervised staff, programming, and operations for public services departments at three Central Library locations. She also managed the Children’s and Literacy, ESL, and World Languages departments, while also leading collection management activities for Central Library departments.

Bourne joined Seattle Public Library in 1997 and helped open the NewHolly Branch; developed English as a Second Language collections for six neighborhood libraries; and managed and facilitated development of the Children’s and Young Adult collections system-wide.

Bourne holds a bachelor’s degree in English, with honors, from New York University and a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Washington.

“I am incredibly excited by the opportunity to join the San Francisco Public Library, a dynamic and world-class organization,” said Bourne. “I look forward to getting to know the staff and becoming part of a Library that is deeply committed and connected to its diverse communities.”

She will be moving to the Bay Area in late October with her partner, Mark, and 4-year-old son, Beckett. Bourne said that she and her family look forward to exploring San Francisco, including its unique neighborhoods, restaurants, parks, theater and shops.

For more information, please call (415) 557-4277.

Note: Photo of Bourne available for publication.