Diane Rosenberger, a True Friend to Libraries
By Carol Acquaviva
We are sad to share news of the recent passing of Diane Rosenberger, a treasured member of our local library community.
Diane’s contributions to libraries were innumerable. Diane was a member of the Friends of the Marin County Free Library beginning in 1979, and served as chairperson for many projects, as well as Vice President (1981–1982), and President (1984–1985). Her longest serving position was as Treasurer, from 1988 until 2005.
Friends groups are essential to public libraries. The Friends are comprised of community members who promote an understanding of the library and its needs. They foster a climate of support for the library, its staff, its services, physical facilities, and its resources. Diane was the epitome of a Library Friend, one who advocated strongly for our library, and generously shared her ideas, her time, and her efforts.
Diane — herself a librarian at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco — was described by the Friends group as a “volunteer for all seasons,” having done “just about everything for the Friends.” In 1990, Diane and fellow Friend Diane Breithaupt were lauded with the Anne T. Kent Volunteer of the Year Award. The award was named in honor of Mrs. Kent, another champion for libraries who was instrumental in the establishment of the Marin County Library System, and who strongly supported the Friends group from behind the scenes. The award serves as a memorial presented to those who have contributed most significantly to the group’s operations.
Diane was passionate about the passing of library legislation. In November of 1981, she wrote a “call to arms” in Library Leaves, the group’s newsletter, saying, “Making contact [with lawmakers] is important. It does count. For the sake of our libraries, we cannot afford to remain silent.” Diane advised members on how to directly reach out to their state assemblyman and senator, as well as then-Governor Jerry Brown. Diane rallied this mailing effort in support of an expanded library budget (Senate Bill 358). Although the bill was ultimately vetoed, she was undeterred and continued to fight for legislation in favor of public libraries. In a 1986 issue of Library Leaves, she wrote, “[W]e all have our own reason for going to the library. The reasons probably vary from visit to visit. Can you jot down how your visits to the library help you? Once you have them written down, send them to your legislators. It’s very important that we communicate the value of library service to those who fund libraries.”
The California Room has benefited greatly from the generosity of Diane and her husband Larry. In 2013, the Rosenbergers provided a grant to help fund the digitization of our historic Marin newspapers from 1861–1922. The results of this project (as part of the California Digital Newspaper Collection) meant that our Marin County newspaper collection can be freely accessed by the public, allowing researchers to find key information on the history of people, places and events in Marin during an important period in our county’s development. This often-used resource has proven to be a critical tool to understand our past.
Diane recognized the important roles that libraries and literacy play in each of our lives. In a 1984 membership newsletter she wrote, “Many of us who use libraries do so because as children we went to libraries with our parents. The feeling that the library is a special place, where you can find answers to questions, is a good one.” Diane was known for encouraging others to participate, and led by example. She will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she touched.
In 1986, the Board of the Friends of the Library remarked:
“During her term as president, Diane has helped raise a family of effervescent boys and has held a regular job while packing an extra load of community service — and done it all with merriment. …. The Board and all those who recognize the value of libraries in our community have every reason to thank her.”
