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Former Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Director Charles Brown has been named to a similar post in New Orleans, the Times-Picayune reports.
Brown served as Mecklenburg's library director for nearly seven years before leaving in June. In announcing his departure, Brown said he was proud of the work that had been accomplished in the system but that budget cuts to the libraries - which forced deep layoffs, four branch closings and reductions in hours and service - in recent years had been "exhausting."
The Times-Picayune said Brown will start the job at the New Orleans Public Library on Nov. 21. The newspaper said the library system is preparing to open five library branches to replace facilities that had been destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
Back in Mecklenburg, the local library system has been able to expand hours at six regional branches and hire some employees after receiving an additional $2 million from the county, which supplies the bulk of the system's money. The increase was recommended by a task force convened in 2010 to look at the future of the library system.
Vick Phillips has served as the Mecklenburg library system's CEO since January, and David Singleton was named interim director of libraries in June.
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