Dorothy Sanborn - In Memoriam
Updated 10/4/08
Dorothy Sanborn died June 4, 2008, at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital with her son, Dick, at her side. Dorothy was 88. She was probably the most devoted fan of the Auburn and Placer County Library. Mrs. Sanborn retired April 28, 1989, as Placer County Librarian. However, she continued to remain active with the Friends of the Library and finished up her term as president of the Friends last month.
Dorothy Sanborn was born April 26, 1920, in Nashville, TN, and received her undergraduate degree in 1940 from Texas Western in El Paso, now the University of Texas at El Paso. She was in the service during World War II. When the war ended, she obtained her master’s degree in library science from Vanderbilt University. Her husband, Richard, died in 1986.
In 1959, Dorothy Sanborn became the City of Auburn's eighth librarian since 1906. Mrs. Sanborn left the Auburn Library in 1962 to work as assistant librarian at Sierra College, and later, I believe, at the Sacramento City Library. In March, 1966, Dorothy became the third Placer County Librarian since the library started in early 1937.
Dorothy was a key figure in bringing a high degree of professionalism to library services. She was instrumental in reconsolidating the Auburn and Placer County Libraries at its current home at 350 Nevada Street, behind the county’s administrative offices.
By 1958, with the county's Carnegie libraries bursting at the seams, the county library moved to the Shepard Square Building. The Auburn and Placer County Libraries merged July 1, 1968, and consolidated at 290 Palm Avenue. The library moved again in 1972 to the DeWitt Center, before moving into its current home at 350 Nevada St. Much of this was done under Mrs. Sanborn’s leadership.
In 1987, she was named State Librarian of the Year by the California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners. She was nominated by the Placer County Library Advisory Board, which said “Sanborn brings the library to the community and the community to the library.” Her son recalls his mother at one point did double duty as Alpine County’s librarian, to establish a public library in that county.
Not only was Dorothy active in the Congregational Church, she was named Soroptimist International’s Woman of Distinction. She served also as president of the American Association of University Women here and headed AAUW’s Auburn Arts Program in 1988. Dorothy was active in the League of Women Voters and was a PTA life member. Dorothy Sanborn, was a quiet unassuming woman who was always there for her library and the community right to the end. She will be missed.
Michael Otten