The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library intends to have a new chief executive officer on the job by July 1.

Library trustees voted unanimously Thursday to set up a search committee and begin interviews immediately, using a pool of 13 candidates who have expressed an interest in the job.

Those names weren't released, but interim CEO Vick Phillips noted "every one lives in Mecklenburg County, is known in the community, and has been a business leader already."

Phillips, who took himself out of the running for the job, will stay on through the new CEO's first month, to help with a smooth transition.

Search committee members include: Director of Libraries David Singleton; Mecklenburg County Human Resources Director Chris Peek; and library trustees Ed Williams. Gloria Kelley, Sally Robinson and Bob Sink. Williams will lead the committee.

Thursday's vote came after county human resources recruiter Shelley Book presented a report showing there is a strong list of local candidates, suggesting a national CEO search won't be necessary. Book will assist in the initial part of the search, saving the library the cost of hiring a search firm, officials said.

Phillips, a former bank executive, took over as interim CEO a year ago, replacing Charles Brown, who resigned after a tumultuous year of multimillion-dollar budget cuts.

Other highlights from the meeting:

Library officials are considering a request that it rent out some uptown facilities (Main Library or ImaginOn) during the Democratic National Convention. It's the second such inquiry in recent months. However, the first proposal (for a Sunday night affair) was recently withdrawn after the DNC changed its scheduled number of days in Charlotte. Library staff said the interested party wants to rent space during most of the DNC event, which could mean $200,000 in fees. The name of the interested party is being kept confidential, officials said.

The Board removed "interim" from the title of David Singleton, Director of Libraries. Singleton stepped into that role in July 2011. Singleton oversees the daily operations of the Library, while the CEO focuses on strategic organizational functions.

The board welcomed its newest member, Leland M. Park, Library Director Emeritus for Davidson College.