County librarian stepping down

Starrett Kreissman "I have never smoked or lived with anyone who did," Ventura County Library District Director Starrett Kreissman said as she announced she is retiring from her post due to lung cancer.

The 60-year-old Kreissman is currently undergoing treatment for her illness.

The Oak Park Library is part of the county system.

"I'm going to miss her tremendously," said Kathy Long, a Ventura County Supervisor who was the chair of the library commission until last month.

Officials praised Kreissman's work, including her efforts to upgrade technology at each of the local branches.

According to Alan Langville, the library district's deputy director, Kreissman has been a tireless worker for the library system. She attended countless meetings and spoke to organizations all across the county.

Kreissman also was an active member of the California Library Association and while serving on that organization's legislative committee helped preserve funding for county libraries when their budgets became threatened by the state.

In 1998, the association named Kreissman "Librarian of the Year."

Langville said Kreissman also worked hard to improve customer service. She's been knowledgeable in many fields and able to communicate effectively, Langville said. She also treated fellow workers and customers with kindness and respect.

When she worked for Stanislaus County, Kreissman launched a 1/8 cent tax to help support the public libraries in that county. The tax was approved by voters there, and several other counties followed suit.

Kreissman's ability to bring people together and her dedication to public libraries is what brought her to Ventura County in 1999.

"She brought the library system together to make sure that all libraries were supported," said Long, adding that Kreissman also nurtured Friends of the Library groups throughout the county.

In the late 1990s, the local library district didn't have the leadership of a director and Kreissman's experience was much appreciated Long said.