Mrs. Esther G. Bierbaum
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Mrs. Esther G. Bierbaum

  • July 9, 1928 - February 14, 2010
  • St. Petersburg, Florida
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Memories & Candles

“I met Mrs. Bierbaum through my late wife Roberta Whipple who attended school with Martha. Mrs. Bierbaum was an example of what my wife strived to be,...Read More » ”
1 of 15 | Posted by: Jon P Whipple - St Petersburg, FL

“I was in my late thirties with three children and a farmer husband when I was given the opportunity to go to library school. It would mean leaving my...Read More » ”
2 of 15 | Posted by: Christie Brandau - Topeka, KS

“I, too, was a student of Dr. Bierbaum's in the late 80s, having her for cataloguing, acquisitions, and special libraries. Despite my less than...Read More » ”
3 of 15 | Posted by: Julia Trojanowski - Ashland, WI

“Dr. Bierbaum was a very inspirational professor. I wound up taking beginning and advanced cataloging from her as well as being an officer for the...Read More » ”
4 of 15 | Posted by: Randall Schroeder - Big Rapids, MI

“I took advanced cataloging from Esther at the University of Iowa. Most of the students were in awe of her at first. When I got to know her in class,...Read More » ”
5 of 15 | Posted by: Glenda Davis-Driggs - IA

“I am just one of many students fortunate enough to have known and learned from Dr. Bierbaum. I had no interest in cataloging before she opened my...Read More » ”
6 of 15 | Posted by: Wendy Street - Pella, IA

“I fondly remember, and will always treasure, the experience I had as Esther's teaching assistant for the cataloging class at the University of Iowa....Read More » ”
7 of 15 | Posted by: Andi Beckendorf - Decorah, IA

“I was lucky enough to take one of her classes prior to her retirement. She was truly inspiring, full of knowledge and humor both. ”
8 of 15 | Posted by: Lisa Martincik - Iowa City, IA

“Esther was a beloved faculty member at the University of Iowa for twelve years. Through her rigorous and imaginative teaching and research she became...Read More » ”
9 of 15 | Posted by: Ethel Bloesch - Iowa City, IA

“It saddens me to hear of your mother's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time of need. ”
10 of 15 | Posted by: Larry Lamb - Tampa, FL - Friend

“Esther remained an active member of our Iowa City book discussion group after she moved to Florida. She kept up with the books we were reading, and...Read More » ”
11 of 15 | Posted by: Ruth Kuntz - Iowa City, IA

“I enjoyed Esthers sense of humor when she would join us via snail mail when she would reply to our questions about what we were reading, I always...Read More » ”
12 of 15 | Posted by: karla - iowa city, IA

“I attended the University of Iowa School of Library & Information Science from 1995-1997. While Ms. Bierbaum was no longer teaching when I was...Read More » ”
13 of 15 | Posted by: Julia Venzke - Iowa City, IA

“Nearly 25 years ago, on a Monday morning in late August, I sat in my very first class in library school at the University of Iowa. I was feeling...Read More » ”
14 of 15 | Posted by: Greg Cotton - Iowa City, IA

“My sympathies to you on the loss of a wonderful, witty person. ”
15 of 15 | Posted by: Jean Donham - iowa City, IA


Bierbaum, Dr. Esther Green, 81, went to be with the Lord on February 14,2010. She was born July 9, 1928 in Walkerville, Ontario to A. Franklin and Helen Green. As a child, she was a winter resident of St. Petersburg, attending North Ward Elementary School. Her family moved to St. Petersburg permanently in 1945. Esther was a graduate of St. Petersburg Junior College and Meredith College, and received a master's degree in English from the University of Florida. She later completed a certificate in library science and was employed for many years as the librarian at the Science Center of Pinellas County. In 1979, she fulfilled her dream of returning to graduate school. She received a Ph.D. in Library and Information Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1982. In 1983 she began teaching at the University ofIowa, retiring in 1996 as Professor Emeritus of Library and Information Science. Esther spent her retirement years in research, writing, and volunteering at Pasadena Presbyterian Church, where she was a member for 50 years. She also remained active in several professional library associations. She was dearly loved by family and friends, who were touched by her delightful sense of humor, her wealth of wisdom and knowledge, and her thoughtful, giving nature. She is survived by three children, Martha Bierbaum Powell of St. Petersburg, Dr. Wayne Bierbaum and his wife Margaret of Riva, MD, and Susan Bierbaum Moffitt of Seattle, W A; six grandchildren, Derek Tapper and his wife April, Neil Tapper, Kathryn Bierbaum, Matthew Bierbaum, Jesse Moffitt and Jackie Moffitt. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. William Bierbaum, her parents, and her brother, Alan C. Green. A memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, February 20th at Pasadena Presbyterian Church, 100 Pasadena Ave. N. Memorial contributions may be made to Pasadena Presbyterian Church or Hospice of the Florida Suncoast.