Author: Dorothy Lazard in conversation with Luis Herrera

Celebrated Oakland librarian and public historian, Dorothy Lazard, discusses her new book, Behind the Desk at the Main: A Librarian’s Memoir with former San Francisco City Librarian, Luis Herrera.  

Through personal stories and decades of experience, Lazard demystifies the work of librarians and reveals how libraries serve as vital hubs—and defenders—for knowledge, connection, and civic life. Over the course of her 20-year-tenure at the Oakland Public Library’s flagship branch—known as “the Main”—she built a career helping residents connect with the city’s past and present, eventually becoming the keeper of Oakland’s local history archives. Both a celebration of librarianship and a call to defend public institutions, her book offers readers an intimate portrait of the people who keep libraries running—and how these cherished institutions become the lifeblood of the communities they serve. 

Dorothy Lazard was born in St. Louis and grew up in San Francisco and Oakland. A librarian for nearly forty years, she joined the staff of the Oakland Public Library in 2000. From 2009 until her retirement in 2021, she was the head librarian of OPL’s Oakland History Center, where she encouraged people of all ages and backgrounds to explore local history. Lazard was the 2023 recipient of the Oscar Lewis Award in Western History from the Book Club of California. Her first book, What You Don’t Know Will Make a Whole New World: A Memoir, was published by Heyday in 2023; the book was shortlisted for a Northern California Book Award and a Foreword Indies Award. Lazard lives in Oakland. 

Luis Herrera retired in 2018 after than 40 years in public library service. He served for 13 years as City Librarian for the San Francisco Public Library. Prior to his experience in San Francisco, he directed the Pasadena Public Library and also served as deputy director for the San Diego and the Long Beach Public Library Systems. Luis’ vision is to position public libraries as vital community assets that serve as anchor institutions promoting life-long learning and community development. Most recently, he has focused on consulting with libraries in the areas of organizational development, strategic planning and staff development.