Feb. 10. Marcellus “MT” Turner becomes the new CEO and chief librarian at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (CML) effective April 1. He comes from the Seattle Public Library where he was executive director and chief librarian, managing a system of 27 libraries, a staff of 679 and more than 500 volunteers.

In addition to fundraising, Turner will be heavily involve in the completion of the new $100 million, 115,000-square-foot Main Library in Uptown Charlotte.

TURNER

“I am excited about joining Charlotte Mecklenburg Library at such an important time in its growth and role as a community resource,” Turner said. “There is a tremendous opportunity to better understand and serve the evolving needs of Charlotte Mecklenburg, and I am committed to ensuring the Library supports, enhances and empowers the changing ways our residents live, learn and engage,” Turner said.

He follows in the footsteps of Lee Keesler, who led the library since 2012 and served as the 117-year-old public library system’s first CEO.