CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Members of the Future of the Library Task Force have been chosen and are ready to begin working, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library officials said Tuesday.
The 17-member task force will develop recommendations for making the library system sustainable. Nearly 90 people applied, library officials said, and those chosen have backgrounds in areas ranging from finance and business to law and planning.
Future of the Library Task Force Members:
• Jim Woodward, chancellor emeritus of UNC Charlotte
• Jeff Armstrong, managing partner at Eitel and Armstrong
• Robert Bisanar, attorney at Ogletree Deakins
• Alan Blumenthal, chairman of the board at Radiator Specialty Company
• Pamela Davies, president of Queens University of Charlotte
• Michael DeVaul, senior vice president of organizational advancement at YMCA of greater Charlotte
• Geneal Gregory, community volunteer
• W.A. Heath Jr., managing partner at Heath Partners
• Carol Hull, vice president, process design consultant for technology and operations at Bank of America
• Leonora Kaufmann, former director of library and information resources at Carolinas Healthcare System and Charlotte AHEC
• Gloria Kelley, dean of library services at Central Piedmont Community College
• Bill Millett, president of Scopeview Strategic Advantage
• Bernie Simmons, retired television broadcaster
• Scott Stone, vice president of Merrick and Company
• Julie Szeker, attorney at Johnston Allison & Hord
• Connie Wessner, commissioner on Town of Davidson Board of Commissioners
• Ed Williams, retired editor of editorial pages, Charlotte Observer
Members were appointed by Woodward, who is the chairman of the task force, the Library Board of Trustees chair, the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners chair and other stakeholders.
"The pool of applicants was very impressive," Woodward said. "With such a vast array of skills and experiences to choose from, we have assembled an extremely talented group that is well prepared to carry out the important responsibility given us."
The task force was first proposed in the spring, when the instability of the library's future became apparent during the county's budgeting process. The task force was born from the need for a stable funding platform for the library, leaders said.
In July, the library system received a $75,000 grant from the Community Catalyst Fund of the Foundation for the Carolinas to fund the task force. The task force will begin meeting regularly starting Oct. 20, and is scheduled to complete its work by March 1, 2011.
Previous Stories: June 24, 2010: Library Board Votes To Cut Back Branches' Hours June 22, 2010: 5 Mecklenburg Towns Pledge To Help Save Libraries May 27, 2010: City Leaders Butt Heads Over Library Funding 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 April 7, 2010: Mecklenburg County Commissioners: Library's Financial Troubles Not Our Fault 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