Fresno County’s library director, Karen Bosch Cobb, has announced her retirement after decades of public service to Valley patrons. Since March 2003 Bosch Cobb has served as both interim County Librarian and County Librarian. She will retire on April 1. An informal reception honoring Bosch Cobb will be held at the new West Fresno branch library on March 16 at 4 pm. During her time as the head of Fresno County's 35-branch library system, Bosch Cobb continued implementation of the Measure B service plan which was first launched under the leadership of her predecessor, John Kallenberg. Measure B, a one-eighth cent sales tax, provides major revenue for additional library hours, services and materials. The measure has generated more than $125-million since it was passed by voters in 1998. Bosch Cobb is proud of the many facilities improvements accomplished in recent years. Prior to Measure B she worked on new libraries for Easton, San Joaquin, Parlier and Squaw Valley. New libraries partially funded by Measure B include Caruthers, Fowler, Mendota, Kerman, Orange Cove, West Fresno, Woodward Park, a major renovation of Laton, and the conceptual design for a new Central Library as well as plans for a new library in Tranquillity. She also worked on numerous renovations and on moving libraries into new leased facilities. "The task for the next County Librarian is to continue to maintain the promises of Measure B while preparing for its renewal in 2012," Bosch Cobb said. "As a young librarian arriving in the Valley in 1972, I never imagined the many opportunities that I would have to serve Fresno County. I arrived with a passion for the transformative power of libraries and now look forward to carrying that passion into retirement as a library advocate and volunteer." March 2010 marks a milestone for Fresno County libraries, which was a factor in Bosch Cobb's own milestone decision to retire after 37 years of service. This spring the Library will celebrate its 100-year anniversary with special Centennial festivities on March 12 that will include the opening of a time capsule encased in a cornerstone of the downtown Central Library since 1959. Bosch Cobb holds a Masters of Library Science from University of California, Berkeley. She has held various leadership positions with the California Library Association and received the Member of the Year award in 2005. Her community activities include serving as a Board Member of the Fresno County Federal Credit Union, and Board member and Chair of the Fresno Coalition for Art, Science and History.