Barbara Bowsher Shapiro

Barbara Shapiro was born on January 20, 1940, and died on Sunday, 3/17/2024 at the age of 84. She is survived by her former husband, Jay L. Shapiro, sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Walter Madej of Worthington OH and brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Sally Weisert Bowsher of Frisco TX, niece, Susan Bowsher Heslin (Bill), nephews, Andrew Bowsher (Annie) and Matthew Madej (Angela), and great nephews Timothy and Ryan Heslin, Keller, Harrison, and Franklin Bowsher, and David and Thomas Madej.

Barbara grew up in Columbus, Ohio, the daughter of Thurman and Jean (Reynard) Bowsher. She graduated from West High School in June 1957 and then attended The Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences, graduating with a BA in 1961. Following Ohio State, she attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH, earning a Master’s degree in Library Science.

Barbara’s interest in libraries started with her part-time job at Columbus Public Library’s Hilltop branch. In 1963, she began her 34-year career with The New York Public Library Branch Libraries. Early in her career, she worked in branches in Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx. Eventually, she became part of the Readers’ Advisory Service at Mid-Manhattan, one of NYPL’s central libraries. Later, she became supervisor of the Learners’ Advisory Services and Job Information Services, also part of Mid-Manhattan. Her career then took her to the position of General Reference at Mid-Manhattan. With the development of the computer and the internet, public libraries gradually became a major source of information and resources of every sort for the general public. The library’s job became more comprehensive as did the work of library professionals. She became the Coordinator of Adult Services for all of NYPL’s 84 branches in 1992 and worked with librarians throughout the system in bringing programs and services to people in their communities from “The People’s University.” She was also active with the New York Library Association and the American Library Association, chairing various committees and attending annual conferences.

Barbara passed away on March 17, 2024 at the Ganzhorn Suites in Powell, OH where she resided in the last months of her life. The family truly appreciates the care she received from the entire Ganzhorn staff. We also appreciate the attentive care provided by Capital City Hospice these past weeks.

A Visitation will be held on Monday, March 25, 2024, from 11am until 1pm, at Schoedinger Worthington, 6699 N. High St., Worthington Oh 43085. A Funeral Service will follow at 1pm. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 500 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Columbus Metropolitan Library.