April 26, 2022 | From City of New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD NAMES EMILY PAINTON NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CITY LIBRARIAN
NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Public Library Board of Directors has named Emily Painton as its new Executive Director and City Librarian.
“I am proud to welcome Ms. Painton as the new Executive Director of the New Orleans Public Library and as our city’s Librarian,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “Our libraries are community anchors that connect families to extensive resources on health and wellness, job opportunities and workforce development, financial and social services, and critical housing and disaster information, while encouraging literacy as a critical foundation for child and adult wellbeing. It is important to have a leader who gets it and understands that our libraries are essential to family enrichment and in improving the quality of life for residents, which aligns with our 10-Year Strategic Plan. I am confident that Ms. Painton will succeed in this role as she remains steadfast in strengthening communities in New Orleans through vital resource connections.”
“We are thrilled to make this announcement,” said Library Board Chair Vonda Flentroy-Rice. “Ms. Painton has been instrumental in moving the Library forward and continues to implement the goals within our strategic plan.”
Painton served as the New Orleans Public Library Interim Executive Director since November 2021, and as the Public Services Director since June 2020. Prior to her previous roles, she also served as the Manager of the New Orleans Public Library – Main Library and worked at Austin Public Library.
The Library’s Strategic Plan, adopted in 2021, focuses on creating a Library lifestyle. It calls for an enhancement of core services and concentrations on S.M.A.R.T (Science, Math, Art, Reading, and Technology) kids, a ready workforce, and open doors to meet the needs of its users and the greater community.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to assume this position at the Library,” said Painton. “I’m also excited to carry on the strategic work we began last year. The Library holds such a special place in the New Orleans community, and I am honored to be a part of it.”
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About the New Orleans Public Library
With origins dating back to 1843, the New Orleans Public Library has grown from a single French Quarter house with a few volumes into a city-wide system serving all of Orleans Parish with 15 locations throughout the City. The Library’s mission is to transform lives, enrich neighborhoods, and preserve history. Click here to view the New Orleans Public Library 10-Year Strategic Plan.