Chaucer's Books in Santa Barbara, Calif., paid tribute to one of the shop's veteran booksellers on social media: "Thank you Barb. Chaucer's Books wouldn't be what it is today without you. Retiring after 31 years. Thanks to all the folks that stopped in, customers, previous staff, friends. Every person in the first two pics is someone Barb hired. We wouldn't be here without her. Fact."
A few days earlier, the bookstore had posted: "She's been at the store since 1995.... And she's finally decided she's done laboring with us and it's time to leave the joint. If there is someone at the store you've liked over the last 25 years, thank Barb for hiring them. If you like mysteries, you can thank Barb for being the master shelver and recommender for decades. If you like no nonsense, dry wit, you'd like Barb. This lady is leaving some big shoes behind. Her last day is Wednesday, come wish her well (she'll sort of hate it, but also appreciate it)."