City and Borough of Juneau Public Library Director Robert Barr was announced Friday, April 2, 2021, as Juneau’s next deputy city manager. Barr was also announced this week as the winner of the American Library Association’s Ernest A. DiMattia Award for Innovation and Service to Community and Profession for his work as the planning section chief through the pandemic. (Courtesy photo / CBJ)

City and Borough of Juneau Public Library Director Robert Barr was announced Friday, April 2, 2021, as Juneau’s next deputy city manager. Barr was also announced this week as the winner of the American Library Association’s Ernest A. DiMattia Award for Innovation and Service to Community and Profession for his work as the planning section chief through the pandemic. (Courtesy photo / CBJ)

Raising the Barr: Library chief picked for deputy city manager job

He also won a national award for his work through the pandemic.

Juneau’s Public Library Director Robert Barr was announced as the city’s next deputy city manager in a social media post.

Barr was also announced as the winner of American Library Association’s Ernest A. DiMattia Award for Innovation and Service to Community and Profession on Wednesday.

“I am very excited to bring Robert into the Manager’s office. He has been a fantastic CBJ Department Director and his skills have become very visible to the public over the last year as he’s been a pivotal figure in Juneau’s pandemic response,” said city manager Rorie Watt in a social media post. “Fortunately, he wears a size 14 and may, over time, be able to fill Mila (Cosgrove)’s big shoes.”

Barr, who has served as director of libraries since coming to Juneau in 2013, has served as the planning section chief of the city’s emergency operations center since the outset of the pandemic in 2020, which should stand him in good stead as the deputy city manager.

[JDHS students win regional ocean science competition]

“During the pandemic, I’ve had opportunities to engage across the city with many departments. Every department has a role to play in our response,” Barr said in a phone interview, speaking about his role, something that usually last for only days or weeks. “This has gone on more than a year.”

Barr said it had been a long-term goal that came into sharper focus as he served closely with the city manager’s office through the pandemic.

“I’ve been working closely with Mila for a while. I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Barr said. “I’ve certainly thought about it for longer than that. It’s something that I’ve been interested in for more than a year. It’s certainly come into clarity over the past year. I’ve had many more opportunities to work directly with Mila and have a better understanding of what the role.”

Barr will begin in July as Cosgrove, the current deputy city manager, retires, following a long career in the role and human resources and risk management director before that.

City and Borough of Juneau Public Library Director Robert Barr was announced this week as the winner of the American Library Association’s Ernest A. DiMattia Award for Innovation and Service to Community and Profession for his work as the planning section chief through the pandemic. (Courtesy photo / CBJ)

City and Borough of Juneau Public Library Director Robert Barr was announced this week as the winner of the American Library Association’s Ernest A. DiMattia Award for Innovation and Service to Community and Profession for his work as the planning section chief through the pandemic. (Courtesy photo / CBJ)

A prestigious award

Barr was announced as the winner of the DiMattia Award on Wednesday, making it quite a banner week for him.

“It was a surprise to me when I learned about it,” Barr said. “I was told by the person who nominated me the day before I learned I had won.”

“The award, supported by the DiMattia Family, recognizes a librarian who demonstrates leadership in anticipating emerging trends in services, products, and technologies that will enhance the library’s position in its community,” read a social media post from the city. “The winner also participates in the life of the community using membership in and volunteer service through a broad range of community organizations and projects.”

Barr was awarded for his work as the city’s EOC planning section chief, the release said.

“Due in large part to his efforts, the city’s mass vaccination clinics have been a great success,” read a city social media post.

Ann Symons, who nominated Barr, said in the release: “Barr took all of the challenges in hand using the skills we value as librarians: access to information, diversity, equity and inclusion, the public good, privacy, and education and life-long learning.””

The award comes with a citation to be presented at the ALA’s virtual conference in the summer along with an award of $5,000.

• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at (757) 621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 1

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

President Donald Trump speaks to a capacity crowd at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage on July 9, 2022. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Here’s what Trump, after 20 days of his second term, has done so far specifically affecting Alaska

Nixing rules that limit oil drilling, renaming Mt. McKinley, shaking up U.S. Coast Guard among actions.

President Donald Trump walks away from the podium after speaking about a plane crash at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport during a news conference at the White House in Washington, on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. President Trumpճ remarks, suggesting that diversity in hiring and other Biden administration policies somehow caused the disaster, reflected his instinct to immediately frame major events through his political or ideological lens. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
All of the Trump administration’s major moves in the first 20 days

The New York Times is tracking the actions of President Donald Trump… Continue reading

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears boys basketball team pose outside Kodiak High School during their sweep over the Bears this weekend. (Photo courtesy JDHS)
JDHS boys topple Kodiak on the road

Crimson Bears sweep island Bears in two-game series.

Aaron Surma, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Juneau and the Juneau Suicide Prevention Council, gives a solo testimony to the Juneau Board of Education on Feb. 6, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
On top of a flat-funded BSA, Juneau Board of Education considers loss of local funding and grants

Principals and mental health advocate give feedback as the Juneau School District plans FY26 budget.

Cars arrive at Juneau International Airport on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau’s airport asking long-ago manager Dave Palmer to return temporarily amidst leadership changes

Palmer would return in April as longtime manager retires; Assembly removes two airport board members.

Pittman’s Pub, which has a bar tent located next to the Hooter chairlift and Fish Creek Lodge, will not open this season, its co-owners told Eaglecrest Ski Area’s board of directors Thursday. Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Pittman’s Pub owners say they won’t open at Eaglecrest this year due to cost, space difficulties

Couple says they would like to take over ski area’s restaurant, continue as a year-round operation.

The Alaska Senate unanimously approves a bill Friday rejecting a recommendation to adjust lawmakers’ salaries for inflation. (Official Alaska State Legislature livestream)
Alaska Senate unanimously rejects automatic salary hikes for top state officials

Commission recommendation for adjustments matching inflation takes effect unless lawmakers say no.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Most Read