To: Board of Supervisors
From: Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Report Title: Resolution honoring Carey Rowan for her exceptional service and leadership in the Public Law Library
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Resolution honoring Carey Rowan for her exceptional service and leadership in the Public Law Library
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact
BACKGROUND:
Resolution honoring Carey Rowan for her exceptional service and leadership in the Public Law Library
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
No negative action
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
IN THE MATTER OF RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HONORING CAREY ROWAN FOR HER EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP IN THE PUBLIC LAW LIBRARY
WHEREAS, Carey Rowan received her Master of Library Science degree from the University of Southern California, where she laid the foundation for a career devoted to public service and the advancement of legal resources for the community; and
WHEREAS, Carey began her career working in public libraries in Southern California, where she honed her skills and passion for library services before becoming the Director and Librarian of the Public Law Library of Solano County, where she made an immediate impact in promoting access to legal resources for the public; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, Carey was appointed as the Director and Librarian of the Public Law Library of Contra Costa County, where she served with distinction and dedication through her retirement in August 2025; and
WHEREAS, during her tenure as Director, Carey led a committed and passionate library staff in making the Public Law Library of Contra Costa County a vital and indispensable resource for the residents of Contra Costa County, enhancing access to justice and providing essential legal information to the public; and
WHEREAS, Carey oversaw the development of the Library’s collections, electronic resources, staffing, budget, and reference services, ensuring that the Library met the diverse and evolving needs of the community; and
WHEREAS, Carey was committed to making legal resources available to Contra Costa residents who were without legal representation, frequently assisting individuals facing personal crises and navigating complex legal issues ranging from family law to probate law, employment disputes, business law, eviction issues, immigration matters, and more; and
WHEREAS, under Carey’s leadership, the Public Law Library developed and enhanced programs such as "Lawyer in the Library" and the "Court Accounting Workshop," which provided critical access to legal advice and resources for members of the community; and
WHEREAS, Carey worked tirelessly to reach out to seniors and individuals with disabilities, ensuring they had the information and resources they needed, particularly in the area of conservatorship issues, and making the Library a valuable and trusted partner for these vulnerable populations; and
WHEREAS, Carey’s leadership ensured that the Public Law Library became an essential resource not only for the public, but also for the judges and court staff of the Contra Costa Superior Court, who regularly encouraged unrepresented parties to utilize the Library’s resources to better understand and navigate their legal matters; and
WHEREAS, Carey ensured that the Public Law Library remained a premier resource for attorneys in Contra Costa County, supporting the legal community and contributing to the excellence of the county’s legal services.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, on behalf of the people of Contra Costa County, hereby expresses its deepest appreciation and gratitude to Carey Rowan for her outstanding leadership and dedication to the Public Law Library and for her unwavering commitment to improving access to justice in our community.