Special celebration was held via Zoom Aug. 18


By Staff Report

Gilroy Community Librarian Lani Yoshimura is a woman who has happily helped thousands of patrons looking for books, DVDs and other items.

She is retiring Aug. 23 after providing  46 years of service with the Santa Clara County Library District, with most of her career spent at the Gilroy Library.

To keep the public safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, a retirement event will be hosted via Zoom Tuesday Aug. 18.

Yoshimura earned a master’s degree in library science in 1974 from San Jose State University and soon after began her career of more than four and a half decades with the Santa Clara County Library District. She was assigned to the Gilroy Library in 1975 at a time when the city had about 10,000 people and has enjoyed her time serving South Valley patrons. She also worked for a period at the Campbell Library but returned to Gilroy to head it as the community librarian in 1982.

Yoshimura requested in lieu of gifts people consider making a donation to the Friends of the Gilroy Library at www.friendsofgilroylibrary.org/contribute-funds or to the Santa Clara County Library District Foundation to benefit patrons throughout the library district. Donations can be made on their website at www.sccldf.org.