Karen Bosch Cobb, Fresno County's library director, is retiring effective April 2 after 38 years of service.

As head of Fresno County's 35-branch library system, Bosch Cobb continued implementation of the Measure B sales tax that has generated more than $125 million since being passed by voters in 1998 under her predecessor, John Kallenberg. Bosch Cobb has served as the county's top librarian since 2003, but began her career with the Fresno County Public Library in 1972.

"The passage of Measure B was the most significant event of my career,” Bosch Cobb said in a statement. “It transformed our library from one of the poorest per capita funded libraries in the state to one with funds to improve hours, collections, literacy and other vital services.  Measure B gave us the means to set about making our organization into a 21st century library.”

Measure B is set to expire in 2013, when it will be up for renewal.

Recruitment for a new county librarian opened earlier this month. Pat Pondexter, associate county librarian, will serve as interim county librarian during the recruitment process. 

Bosch Cobb holds a Masters of Library Science from University of California, Berkeley.  She 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.