City Librarian Al Escoffier Announces His Retirement
Al Escoffier, Burlingame’s City Librarian for the past 18 years, has announced his retirement effective December 19, 2009. In making this announcement to the board of the Burlingame Library Foundation, he said, “I make this decision with mixed feelings, as the Burlingame Library has been a large part of my life for nearly 40 years, and I consider the staff, trustees and board members my friends, as well as colleagues. As most of you know, I grew up in Burlingame and it has been my family’s home since the 1930’s. I feel honored to have served with so many talented and skilled staff members over the years.”
Al began his career at the Burlingame Library as a page, stocking books as they were returned, nearly 40 years ago. During his tenure at the Library, he has seen a major flood (2003), a major earthquake (1989), celebrations, and comprehensive renovations of both the Main and Easton Libraries. Working with the Library Board of Trustees and the Burlingame City Council, he was instrumental in creating the Burlingame Library Foundation in 1994. Thanks to his leadership, Burlingame was the first city in the Peninsula Library System to create a Library Foundation to help support library services.
Al is proud of the many honors that have been bestowed upon the Library during his career in Burlingame. The Library has won 40+ state and national awards for graphics and public relations. The library building won an AIA architectural award in 1997. Burlingame was featured on the cover of American Libraries and Library Journal, and highlighted as “The Jewel of Burlingame.”
The Burlingame Library Foundation is grateful to Al for his leadership and dedication to the Burlingame Library. He will be missed!
In celebration of Al’s retirement, the Burlingame Library Foundation is requesting donations be made in his honor.