Library Announces Leadership Change

CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Library is changing leadership.

Library leaders are making Vick Phillips, who spent three decades with Bank of America, interim director. He plans to help run the library until the system finds a permanent director.

"I thought this is going to be a different and interesting challenge," Phillips said.

Outgoing Director Charles Brown will stay on the payroll to help Phillips. Brown will leave on June 30. Technically, he's resigning but he doesn't have another job lined up.

"Not at the moment, no, no," he told Eyewitness News. Then, he laughed and asked, "Is Channel 9 hiring?"

Brown ran the library for seven years, helping to open ImaginOn and three other branches. He also oversaw the new job center that has served 5,000 people so far, he said.

In the meantime, the library task force is close to coming up with suggestions for library leaders. It's leaning toward three suggestions: set up an endowment, try to raise $1 million each year and rely more on volunteers.

Task force leaders plan to give county leaders an update at the Board of County Commissioners meeting Wednesday night. They also plan to nail down their recommendations by March 1.

Previous Stories: October 22, 2010: Library Task Force Plans To Spend $225K October 5, 2010: Library Announces Task Force Members June 24, 2010: Library Board Votes To Cut Back Branches' Hours June 22, 2010: 5 Mecklenburg Towns Pledge To Help Save Libraries June 19, 2010: Budget Cuts Force Charlotte Libraries To Shut Down June 4, 2010: Cities May Help Libraries Stay Open May 11, 2010: Library Letter Spells Out Possible Layoffs April 30, 2010: Library Leaders Plan For Looming Budget Cuts April 15, 2010: Library Board Looks At Bleak Scenarios March 29, 2010: 12 Libraries Slated To Close Will Remain Open March 22, 2010: Donations Fall Far Short Of Libraries' Needs March 22, 2010: Donations Pour In To Save Charlotte Libraries March 19, 2010: Library Programs In Limbo After Closure Announcement

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