David Barron was head librarian of the Australian Capital Territory Library Service from 1979 to 1994. Barron arrived in Australia as an assisted migrant and taught in Tasmania before studying librarianship at the University of New South Wales. After graduation he worked for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Library from 1966 to 1970 and for the National Library of Australia from 1970, working as the Library's chief liaison librarian at Australia House, London, United Kingdom, from 1972 to 1975. While overseas he also represented Australia on various international information policy groups. He returned to Australia in 1975 and was appointed Canberra public librarian in 1979. He continued as head of the Canberra Public Library Service on its separation from the National Library in 1981.
The 1980s brought challenges including the merging of the public library within the new Australian Capital Territory public service and the introduction of an automated library system. He oversaw the opening of new libraries and changes in services with changes in demographics as the city expanded. He supported the public library's services for children and young people and was committed to the library's collection. David Barron retired in 1994.
Source: Marie Sexton, with assistance from Jenny Gleeson and David Wardle, 'A Life Lived Strictly by the Books', The Canberra Times (28 March 2012): 10
