Lee Keesler Leaves a Legacy at the Library

March 4, 2021

On March 31, 2021, Lee Keesler retires as the first CEO of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library after serving in this role since 2012.

Lee has always had an affinity for the Library and he truly understands the impact it has on each of us. One of Lee's favorite stories to share is as a young child, his mother would load up their little red wagon with all the books he and his siblings had checked out and they would walk to the Myers Park Library to return them. Once there, they would check out more books and fill that little red wagon once again before returning home.

March 31, 2021 is Lee Keesler Day in Charlotte, NC. Join us in celebrating Lee's accomplishments and his service to the Library. #CMLibraryLeeKeeslerDay

On March 19, 2021 Lee was awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Roy Cooper.

The Legacy

Lee Keesler, a Charlotte native, has demonstrated a passion for his hometown that is evidenced in more than three decades of exemplary leadership in the corporate, nonprofit and community service sectors. He has made significant and impactful contributions to our community, improving lives and creating opportunities for those who live, work and play in Mecklenburg County.

Before coming to the Library, Lee had a long and successful career in the banking industry serving as an Executive at First Union (now Wells Fargo) from 1980 to 2004, leaving corporate America to devote his career to public service. During the next 15 years, he worked with two transformative nonprofit organizations in Mecklenburg County, leaving both much better than he found them. Along the way he also served on numerous community boards including Queens University of Charlotte, Charlotte Center City Partners, ArtsTeach, the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, the United Way of Central Carolinas and the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.

Lee’s crowning achievement has been his nine-year service to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. As the Library’s first Chief Executive Officer, Lee took the leadership reigns of the library system following the 2008-2009 recession. His immediate task was leading the Library forward with an unwavering commitment and vision to rebuilding and reimaging the Library’s next chapter as a beloved and essential community resource.

Lee strongly believes that literacy and lifelong learning and access to information are fundamental to our way of life; he made it his and the Library’s mission during his tenure to make sure everyone in our community has access and that the Library is a welcoming and inclusive space for all.

In his role as Charlotte Mecklenburg Library CEO, Lee was successful in building stronger community relationships and engagement, fiscal responsibility and 21^st century access and excellence across the system.

Other highlights of Lee’s accomplishments include:

He helped found, organize and staff the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation.
He led a long-term strategic planning process to envision the Library’s future. The process engaged the community and looked at current challenges and opportunities including growth patterns, demographics, learning trends, shifts in technology and more. The result is the 2025 Essential Plan that guides the Library’s priorities.
He promoted economic opportunity via education and workforce development through a series of innovative programs and partnerships, including CMS - ONE Access, a targeted partnership with high schools around college and career connections, curriculum tied to specific library databases, and professional development shared among staff of both organizations.
He oversaw rebranding of the library and committed to strategic marketing and digital communications to better tell the compelling story of how libraries serve and are essential to all in our community.
He led the launch of the systemwide internal culture initiative in 2018 called FOREWORD with six guiding principles that led to better communication, collaboration, unity and retention throughout the organization.
He helped develop a stronger, more diverse, engaged and active board of trustees, better reflecting the voices and needs of our community.

Under Lee’s steady leadership, The Library became more accessible, engaged, digital and sustainable. When he retires on March 31, 2021, he leaves behind a revitalized and relevant Library system that will soon break ground on a $100 million, 115,000-square-foot Main Library in Uptown Charlotte.

Thanks to Lee’s leadership and strong support from the county, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library ably welcomes and serves a growing, ever-changing community while earning national recognition for its work.

From all of us at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, we wish Lee and his family all the best. He will be missed!